England have named an unchanged squad for the third Specsavers Ashes Test, meaning Stuart Broad will once again lead the bowling attack in the absence of James Anderson.
Anderson, who injured his calf in the first match of the series, will step up his rehabilitation this week by playing for the Lancashire Second XI against Leicestershire in a three-day friendly match starting on Tuesday August 20 at Northern Cricket Club, Liverpool.
That means 33-year-old Broad, who is England’s leading wicket taker in the series to date with ten victims, is likely to spearhead an attack comprising himself, Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes.
Archer, who burst onto the scene during the ICC Cricket World Cup this summer, will look to continue his fine form at Emerald Headingley from Thursday, after impressing on his Test debut at Lord’s.
The 22-year-old regularly registered speeds in excess of 90mph on his way to match figures of 5-91 as he nearly led England to an unlikely victory after a rain-hit second Test.
The series now moves on to Headingley before an eight-day break ahead of the fixture at Anderson’s home ground of Emirates Old Trafford, a match the 37-year-old will be striving to be fit for.
England third Test squad versus Australia:
Joe Root (Yorkshire) captain
Jofra Archer (Sussex)
Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Rory Burns (Surrey)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Joe Denly (Kent)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Jason Roy (Surrey)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
England Specsavers Ashes Test Series Schedule:
1st Specsavers Ashes Test match, England v Australia, 1-5 August 2019, Edgbaston, Birmingham – Australia won by 251 runs
2nd Specsavers Ashes Test match, England v Australia, 14-18 August 2019, Lord’s, London – match drawn
3rd Specsavers Ashes Test match, England v Australia, 22-26 August 2019, Emerald Headingley, Leeds
4th Specsavers Ashes Test match, England v Australia, 4-8 September 2019, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
5th Specsavers Ashes Test match, England v Australia, 12-16 September 2019, Kia Oval, London
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There are two further opportunities to catch the Outlaws in T20 action at Trent Bridge this summer, with the next opportunity coming as part of a double-header on Sunday 25 August. The Outlaws' clash against Yorkshire Vikings will be preceded by Loughborough Lightning v Lancashire Thunder in the Kia Super League.