The Ashes: 3rd Test Teams

Australia have wrung the changes for the series defining third test with David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon returning to the XI. Phillip Hughes, injured James Pattinson and Ashton Agar are out. Warner will bat at 6 in his return to the side after being sent to Africa with the Australia A side. His 193 against South Africa A has meant he has dislodged Hughes in the starting line-up. Hughes could feel a little hard done by considering he has the most runs on tour so far, but his twin failures at Lord's has ultimately cost him. Agar is replaced by Lyon which will hopefully improve Australia's spin bowling stocks. However Lyon may be low on confidence (fair enough too) considering his consistent shabby treatment from the selectors. Mitchell Starc regains his place after playing in the first test. I thought Jackson Bird might have got a run here, but the selectors like having the variety of a left hander in the side.

On the other hand England are unchanged for the match. Kevin Pietersen has shrugged off his injury cloud meaning James Taylor remains out of the squad despite his century for Sussex in the tour match. These changes symbolise how the teams are faring at the moment. Australia with constant shuffling in and out and being unsure of their best XI. Meanwhile England are settled and determined to land the killer blow.

Update: Michael Clarke has won the toss for the first time in the series which means Australia will bat first.

Teams
England: Cook (c), Root, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Bairstow, Prior, Bresnan, Broad, Swann, Anderson
Australia: Watson, Rogers, Khawaja, Clarke (c), Smith, Warner, Haddin, Siddle, Starc, Harris, Lyon