The Ashes series is perfectly poised with the spoils equal as we head in to the third Test at Birmingham's Edgbaston. The ground has been home to some of the greatest Ashes moments in history, so what can we look forward to?
Can England lift itself after a comprehensive defeat at Lord's? Will they alter the pitch before realising it hasn't helped in any way? Will Stuart Broad get caught with his trousers down...literally, and can an England top order score more than a whopping 40 runs, collectively?
Cricket lovers Brendan "Yob" Foster (an Emu Export-swilling, snag-devouring, convict with fond memories of taking three for zip in a under 13s game) and David "Snob" Baker (a cocktail-sipping, scone-eating, pale Pommie who often relives his underwhelming 32 not out coming in at number 10 at the age of 16.) are back again to run the rule over the third Test.
Never turn your back on @joeroot05... (via: @englandcricket) https://t.co/DvpWjCqOZn— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport)
July 28, 2015
Most memorable Edgbaston moment in the past:
Yob: Ian Botham's spell of 5 for 1 in 28 balls in Australia's second inning to win the game in 1981. The Aussies only needed 155 to win and at 5/115 the game was slightly in favour of Australia. Up waltzed Beefy and in a few overs it was all over. The Aussies were rolled for 121. And this was just after Botham's famous Headingley Test.
Snob: Edgbaston has delivered a host of memorable moments over the years, especially for England fans. From David Gower's masterful double hundred in 1985 - leading England to a huge win by an innings and 118 runs - to Nasser Hussain repeating the feat and hitting 200 of his own in 1997.
But few Edgbaston moments compare to the obvious. In 2005 Flintoff took seven wickets and hit scores of 68 and 73, in the closest finish in Ashes history. Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowicz looked set to lead Australia to the most unlikely win ever before falling just two runs short....
Cue probably the most memorable image in Ashes history.
Andrew Flintoff consoles Brett Lee after one of the most epic Edgbaston Tests
Edgbaston prediction:
Yob: Aussies to win. Why? The Poms using lights once used to grow cannabis, to keep the pitch "green" sounds like something out of a Cheech and Chong movie. It also smacks of desperation. The Poms want a green top to assist their merry band of trundlers. But it will backfire, as Mitchell Johnson and co will extract more bounce and pace than the English seamers.
Snob: England can only improve after its showing at Lord's and most fans were screaming for a bit of a reshuffle of the top order. Johnny Bairstow has been in imperious form at county cricket level and hopefully we can get even more out of moving Joe Root up the order. Alastair Cook looked in better nick in the second Test and I am predicting a big score from the captain and a close affair - but ultimately a draw.
Is Edgbaston more suited to Broad and Anderson or Cheech and Chong?
Things to look out for in the third Test:
Yob: A pot dealer trying to sell part of the pitch to the Birmingham crowd. Mitchell Marsh's bowling has come on leaps and bounds on this tour and he could be the trump card on a seaming deck. He was up around the 140 km/h mark in the last test and is a natural swinger of the ball.
Snob: England's batsman having a bit more grit and determination not to throw away their wicket. Gary Ballance getting dropped should send a message to them all that they need to improve. Look out for the top order to buck the trend of an early collapse (finally!). Also keep a close eye on Ian Bell. If he falls short yet again there will be strong calls for him to get the chop.
Most likely to happen:
Yob: Michael Clarke will get amongst the runs after a run of crap scores. And Steve Smith will again dominate with the bat. Mitchell Starc will have a field day on the green top and will bag a five for. Ian Bell will again failure and play his last test at his home ground.
Snob: I expect Steve Smith to cash in again, annoyingly. There have been some big scores at this ground, with multiple English double Centurions, and most notably Brian Lara's whopping 501 in 1994. I expect some big scores from form players but a tight finish come Sunday night.
Can Johnny Birstow capitalise on a call up after stellar form this year?
Headline Monday:
Yob: England's plans to doctor the pitch goes up in smoke
Snob: "Close encounters of the third Test".... ends in draw
Prediction for the series:
Yob: Australia to win 3-1.
Snob: England to win 2-1.
