Australia have flown Steve Waugh back to England to resume his role as a “team mentor” as they look to recover from their crushing Third Ashes Test defeat at Headingley.
Waugh, the last Australia captain to win the Ashes in England, was with the tourists for the first two Tests before jetting home. He rejoined the squad last night ahead of the Fourth Test, starting here on Wednesday, and attended training this morning.
“He’s been like a kid at Christmas,” said coach Justin Langer. “To come back after such a long time away from the game, his passion and enthusiasm has been brilliant and it’s going to be great.”
England’s Joe Denly today confirmed that he will open the batting, with Jason Roy dropping to No4. “I got a call from Joe Root and he said he’d like for me to go at the top of the order and try and get us off to a good start,” Denly told the BBC.
England, already without James Anderson for the rest of the series, are considering bringing in either Sam Curran or Craig Overton for Chris Woakes. Australia will welcome back Steve Smith — for Marcus Harris or Usman Khawaja — but Mitchell Starc and Mitch Marsh are also in contention.
Langer revealed that he felt “physically sick” after Ben Stokes smashed 135 not out to carry England to a famous one-wicket win in the Third Test, which tied the series with two matches to play. Victory would have seen Australia retain the Ashes and Langer said: “That’s the toughest part of it, we were that close. I felt physically sick. I wasn’t sure whether to cry my eyes out or smash my hotel room.”
The ICC have changed their umpiring schedule for the Test, with Kumar Dharmasena stepping up alongside Marais Erasmus in place of Ruchira Palliyaguruge, who will be third umpire. The work of officials Chris Gaffaney, Joel Wilson and Aleem Dar has been criticised.
