Australia will be buoyed by the return of Steve Smith, while England will be not short of confidence after snatching a victory from the jaws of defeat. It was a lone Ben Stokes’ battle that saw England through at Headingley but above all, it kept England alive in the Ashes. And they will be up fighting for the series when England face Australia in the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. Smith’s return to Australia’s playing XI means the Steve Smith – Jofra Archer mini-battle will recommence as will the Ben Stokes – Nathan Lyon battle. Take a look at the other mini-battles that will ensue at Manchester. England Vs Australia, Cricket Score 4th Test Match.

The visitors, in contrast, will want vengeance for the defeat they suffered when winning looked certain. Australia were one wicket – to be more precise, one throw or one review – away from retaining the Ashes but fell to Stokes storm at Headingley, Leeds. England squared the series 1-1 and with two games remaining, they will want to continue the winning run. Dream11 Team ENG vs AUS Predictions: Tips to Select Best All-Rounders, Batsmen, Bowlers & Wicket-Keepers for England vs Australia Ashes 2019 4th Test Match.

Archer had knocked Smith out of the game At Lord’s, which many think was a primary reason for Australia’s defeat in the third Test. Stokes, on the other, smashed Lyon all-round to give England their biggest summer victory of 2019. Both Smith and Lyon will be eager to return the favour at Manchester and Lyon will have more than just Stokes to give it back. His missed run-out chance of Jack Leach in the penultimate over helped England draw the game. Ashes 2019, 4th Test Preview: Australia look to Steve Smith after England 'steal' Ashes.

Jofra Archer vs Steve Smith

Smith didn’t bat in the second innings of the second Test nor did he play the third Ashes game as a result of a suspected concussion that he had suffered in the first innings. But the three innings that he batted before that was enough to put Smith back on the top of rankings in ICC’s Test batting charts. Smith, 30, started his Test return – from a year ban – in the fourth position but three innings, which had two centuries and a 90 plus score, put Smith back at the top exactly where he had stopped in Cape Town in 2017.

Jofra Archer is the new guy in town. His surging bouncer knocked Smith out of the game at Lord’s. Again it was his six-wicket haul at Headingley that helped England clean Australia within a day before their own batsman out beat the visitors with a shambolic performance – England’s lowest Ashes score since 1948. He will be key to England’s plan of taking an Ashes lead and captain Joe Root will once again want Archer bowling to Smith. Ready for more bouncers eh.

Ben Stokes vs Nathan Lyon

Of the five innings Stokes had played before his demolition innings at Headingley, Nathan Lyon had dismissed him twice. Stokes was out to pacers the other two times and remained not out once. He was also on two runs from 66 deliveries at the start of his second innings at Leeds with Lyon not giving the left-hander room to express himself. But alongside Jonny Bairstow, Stokes first hit Lyon for a couple of boundaries before tearing into him when England had one wicket left.

Lyon finished with 2/116 in the third Test. But that game aside, Australia’s third-highest Test wicket-taker had enjoyed playing England. He has 14 wickets from three games in Ashes 2019 and with Old Trafford and Oval predicted more suitable to spinners, Lyon will be among Australia’s biggest asset in the final two Test matches.

Joe Root vs Mitchell Starc

Root has so far endured a below-par Ashes 2019. He has two half-centuries but also two ducks in six innings. England skipper Root will, however, be confident after his 77 runs contribution in the second innings of the Headingley Test, which England won. With his captaincy on the line, Root not just scored a half-century but also shared a hundred-run partnership with Joe Denly.

Starc, unlike Root, will be playing his first Ashes game at Old Trafford. While injury ruled him out of the first game, Starc was left out of the next two matches. He enjoyed a stellar campaign with the ball in CWC 2019, where he was the highest wicket-taker and equalled Glenn McGrath’s 12-year-old record, and will be eager to show the same with the red ball in his hand.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 03, 2019 09:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).