Aussie team announcements on Twitter, waterlogged outfield with groundstaff working through the night, its all happening – the 3rd Test is almost upon us.
Australia looked to have broke with the tradition of naming their team just before the off when the news broke that opener Phil Hughes had been dropped, then it turned out that he had announced it on his Twitter page. Could this be an act of rebellion on his part, only time will tell.
It would appear that Shane Watson is the man to come in for Hughes, as yet it is not confirmed so it is not clear where he is going to bat. If he is not to open it will mean a complete rejig of the batting order.
In the bowling department it would appear that Australia will stick with the same bowling line up with the addition of Watson to give Ponting more options meaning no place for Stuart Clark.
England look more settled in their team selections, Ian Bell is going to bat in the No.4 spot vacated by the injured Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff has been passed fit.
Unless the pitch looks like it will be fast with plenty of bounce – and the indications are that it dosen’t – England look likely to retain the same bowling unit meaning no recall for Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar was released from the sqaud earlier in the week.
The draw is now as short as 8/11 and that could be as much do to with the state of the outfield than anything else, the groundstaff worked through the night to get the outfield dry and an 11am start on Thursday looks very unlikely.
There is a strong prospect that there will be more delays due to the outfield with Edgbaston having no drainage system, more rain is expected and it is hard to know how much more the already soaked outfield can take.
Betting
The Draw is favourite at 8/11 with Sportingbet
Australia are 3/1 with William Hill
England are 5/1 with William Hill