Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, ManchesterDate: 1-5 AugustStart time: 11:00 BSTCoverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave and via the BBC iPlayer Radio app, BBC Sport website & BBC Sport app. Live text commentary on BBC Sport website, app & mobile devices
Batsman David Warner will rejoin the Australia squad on Monday and be available for the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford, starting on Thursday.With Australia’s top order struggling for runs in the first two Tests, Warner, 26, is likely to be recalled.
Last month, Warner was suspended for punching English batsman Joe Root in a bar following a Champions Trophy game.
He joined the Australia A tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa and scored 193 against South Africa A in Pretoria.
However, on Saturday Warner was involved in a verbal altercation with opponent Thami Tsolekile, causing the umpire to call a halt to the game.
“A kid from the back blocks with a strong personality, Warner is outgoing, likes talking to people and always has an opinion. He is popular with his team-mates and respected in the dressing room. He has that lively and nocturnal side to his personality. But he is 26 now, and off the field he needs to change.”
No Australian batsman scored a century in the first two Ashes Tests, both won by England, and several will be sweating on their place in the starting XI in Manchester.Usman Khawaja replaced Ed Cowan for the second Test at Lord’s and scored 54 in his side’s second innings, before Cowan made 66 and 77 not out against Sussex in a tour match.
Meanwhile, opener Chris Rogers has made only 89 runs in four Test innings, and Phillip Hughes has made 83, including scores of 0, 1 and 1.
Asked whether Cowan’s displays against Sussex improved his chances of a recall, Australia coach Darren Lehmann told BBC Sport: “Yeah, it does. He batted really well both innings.
“We’d love him to get a big hundred and really put pressure on, but it does his chances good.”
Lehmann added that he was confident the team’s plans to combat England spinner Graeme Swann were sound, despite Swann taking 13 Australian wickets so far in the series.
“Swann’s bowled OK but we haven’t played him very well,” said Lehmann. “We’ve just got to believe in the plans and the blokes have got to execute them.”
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Warner available for third Test
