Ashes 2015: A question of two Marks for England ahead of 4th Test
Wood knows the Trent Bridge ground well enough to impress one and all. (Source: AP)
A week ago, England were humiliated and left searching for answers to their batting failures in both innings of the Lord’s Test. But the win at Edgbaston has changed their fortune. And now they have taken a comfortable 2-1 lead in the series.
But there are few chinks in their armour that may play spolier in the remaining matches. The opening still remains a major cause of concern. Apart from the James Anderson injury, England will have a tough time picking up his replacement for the fourth Test that begins in three days time.
England have named Liam Plunkett and Mark Footitt in the squad for the next Test but who will replace Anderson?
Leader of the England bowling attack in Anderson’s absence, Stuart Broad, feels that Mark Wood should be the ideal replacement but he will have to prove his fitness before the game. Even Nasser Hussain backs Wood to replace Anderson.
Wood impressed everyone at Cardiff where he picked up four wickets in the match. But the pacer struggled – as did other England bowlers – at Lord’s.
If he fails to recover from the ankle injury, England are sure to have a selection headache. While Plunkett last played a Test in July 2014 against India, Footitt will make his debut if selected in the playing XI on Thursday.
The 29-year-old Footitt has an average of just over 23 in first-class career. England may not hand a debut cap to the pacer in such a high profile game but the the left-arm seamer has genuine pace and relies on swing. He has been the star for Derbyshire for two consecutive seasons. The seamer has risen to the top in the county cricket and a Test debut in Ashes will be a great addition to his CV.
Plunkett, on the other hand, has had a tough time battling injuries. The Yorkshire pacer has played only two matches in this year’s Championship because of injuries and a suspension. Many do not give him a chance to make it to the playing XI.
Wood knows the Trent Bridge ground well enough to impress one and all while Footitt can be a surprise for Australia.
Wood has been pitched to replace Anderson and given it was only a sore ankle, he is most likely to make the cut. But just in case he doesn’t, England may give Footitt a chance. Who knows, he may return as their hero just like Jonathan Trott from 2009.
