Burning questions remain

Before the fourth Test, which begins at Chester-le-Street, Durham, on Friday, both England and Australia have had plenty to ponder.

For Australia, the Ashes are gone, but a drawn series is still up for grabs. Having been unlucky at Old Trafford, where his team would have almost certainly have won had the weather not intervened, captain Michael Clarke may feel Australian fortunes are on the up.

The usually seam-friendly Durham wicket may tempt the Aussies to drop spinner Nathan Lyon and go with an all-pace attack, a strategy that, while not without merit, involves a substantial gamble.

Should Ryan Harris play?

The burly bowler has been the pick of the Australia quicks this series, but he has a long history of injury and if he does play, it will be just the second time he has turned out in three successive Tests. Last time he did so, he broke down.

Would Clarke be better off wrapping Harris in cricketing cotton wool in the hope of keeping him injury free for the return series in Australia this winter, or will the Baggy Greens bet on him getting through the match unscathed and, possibly, being the decisive element between the teams?

It's a tricky problem, but given the circumstances the selectors may opt for caution and call upon Jackson Bird, a Glenn McGrath-type bowler whose accuracy would be valued, for the first time in the series.

England also faces a bowling conundrum. James Anderson and Stuart Broad looked tired at Old Trafford and the selectors may be tempted to give one of them a rest and play Graham Onions. The Durham seamer is probably the most accurate bowler in England and his knowledge of local conditions would be an asset.

It's likely, though, that England will try to wrap up the series, which it currently leads 2-0, before making any changes and resting crucial players ahead of the trip to Oz.

Barring Manchester, where Clarke's 187 drove Australia's first innings score to 527, its batting has been poor. Changes are unlikely, however, and the only conundrum is where Shane Watson will appear.

Watson prefers to open, but his performances have been woeful so far. Despite his preference, Watson may find himself batting lower down if Australia chooses the recently rehabilitated David Warner and old-stager Chris Rogers to face the new ball.

England's batting unit hasn't fired collectively for several series now. The top order has failed in almost every game this series, often stumbling to three-down for not many runs.

The situation needs to be rectified, and quickly, but if the Aussies decide that Harris can soldier on, that may easier said than done.

Contact Paul at paultomic@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/09/2013 page23)