Weather threatens third Ashes test

By Vic Mills

MANCHESTER, England (JP): As all roads lead to Old Trafford for the third cricket Test of the summer between England and Australia, the main conversation topic remains the weather.

The wettest June in 40 years has played havoc with chief groundsman Peter Marron's preparations. With little or no sunshine to speed up the surface, the likelihood of a low, green, seaming wicket is high.

Concern over conditions and the fickle nature of the Old Trafford pitch has prompted the England selectors to choose a squad of 14. Uncapped bowler Dean Headley and Mike Smithe are set to contest the final place as the playing surface in unlikely to suit Devon Malcolm.

Following his father and grandfather, who both played Test cricket for the West Indies, the selection of Headley represents natural advancement through both the A team and one-day side. If the wicket is expected to seam, and providing he has satisfied the selectors of his fitness, Headley will play.

At 29, Smith is something of a late developer, but since the departure of Courtney Walsh he has quickly adapted to being the spearhead of the Gloucestershire attack. The form bowler in country cricket, the left-armer will get his chance if the conditions suit swing bowling.

In the corresponding game four years ago, similarly unseasonal weather resulted in a damp Old Trafford pitch. But instead of supporting the seam bowlers, it spun violently from the first morning. Alert to the lessons of history and keen to protect their options, the selectors have again included spinner Phil Tufnell in the squad.

Reassuringly, there is no such speculation among the England top order who, with Mark Butcher winning his battle against form, scrutiny and self-doubt, have received a resounding vote of confidence from the selectors.

This is not to discount the possibility England will select an unchanged eleven for the third time in succession, If so, it would be the first time since 1984-85 tour of India, when David Grower's team came back from being a match down, a rare feat and one which the Australians remain hopeful of emulating.

Bleak June

Should the Australians select the same eleven for Lord's, it will be as much a product of the bleak June weather as any ringing endorsement of the team. For their improvement in form has unfortunately coincided with further bad weather; the outcome being little or no time for the fringe players to impress.

The game against the British Universities at Oxford presented an ideal opportunity to give the likes of Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist much needed time in the middle. But it was not to be as torrential rain forced the team to practice indoors.

A break in the clouds over the weekend allowed play in their three-day fixture against Hampshire at Southampton. With Glen McGrath rested, the Australians fielded an otherwise full- strength Test team with a fit again Jason Gillespie going head-to-head with Michael Kasprowicz for the remaining bowling place.

With both impressing with pace and movement, the final selection will rest on the state of the Old Trafford pitch and attendant conditions. If the wicket is likely to seam, Gillespie will return to the side. But if the cloud cover suggests swing then Kasprowicz will retain his place.

The game also provided much needed time at the crease for Matthew Elliot (61), Mark Taylor (109) and Mark Waugh (173). Steve Waugh (11) and Michael Bevan (24) failed again and are taking an unusually long time to readjust to English pitches.

Indeed, Bevan is the only one to profit from the recent bad weather. Disappointing form has put his Test spot in jeopardy, but the lack of match practice for possible replacements will help him keep his place.

The third Test will see a return to Old Trafford for leg spinner Shane Warne. It was here four years ago that Warne's first ball in an English Test turned a yard, unforgettably and unplayably, to hit the top of Mike Getting's off stump.

Having bowled himself into form with the wickets of Nasser Hussain and Mark Butcher at Lord's, Warne continued his improvement at Southampton adding greater control to his box of tricks.

The indications are -- with Australia playing better cricket and England holding firm with its new found confidence -- that there is little between the two sides. Add the suspect English weather to the possibility of an under-prepared pitch, and this pivotal Test has all the makings of a classic confrontation.

Possible teams

England: Atherton (captain), Butcher Stewart, Hussain, Thorpe, Crawley, Ealham, Croft, Gough, Caddick, Headley or Smith

Australia: Taylor (captain), Elliot, Blewett, Waugh S, Bevan, Healy, Warne, Reiffel, McGrath, Kasprowicz or Gillespie