Rain adds to Aussie worries

Heavy rain left the Edgbaston outfield covered in pools of water on Wednesday,just one day before the start of the third Ashes Test.

Heavy rain left the Edgbaston outfield covered in pools of water on Wednesday,just one day before the start of the third Ashes Test. Ground staff worked all morning to clear the deluge as both teams were forced indoors for their final practice sessions.

Rain was also forecast to disrupt the first few days of the match,and Australia captain Ricky Ponting,desperate for a victory to draw level in the series,was understandably perturbed. Im more concerned about the rain, Ponting told reporters when asked if he was happy with his teams preparations following their defeat in the second test at Lords.

I am actually a bit surprised that the wicket itself is so dry but theres plenty of rain around still, Ponting added. I think spin will play a part in the match.

While Australia are under pressure,the hosts enter the game in an extremely positive frame of mind. Andrew Strauss and his men will be without their best batsman,Kevin Pietersen,but are confident their talisman will be fit to face an Australian side desperate to level the series. Andrew Flintoffs hostile fast bowling inspired England to a thrilling 115-run victory at Lords and has been resting the creaking body he hopes will carry him through three more matches.

Strauss admits he needs to handle his leading bowler carefully. As a captain I will be juggling the bowling attack,depending on the match situation, Strauss said. But I dont want Fred bowling millions of overs when conditions arent in his favour. It is important to look after him.

Ian Bell,who has played 46 Tests,will replace Pietersen and the 27-year-old has a golden opportunity to re-establish himself in the England middle order. Bell has a modest record against Australia but the touring sides vice-captain Michael Clarke said they were not expecting England to be weakened.

Kevin Pietersen is a fantastic player but so is Ian Bell, Clarke said. It is important that we focus on Ian now and we will be watching him a lot and working out how we are going to get him out. Clarke also said his team mates were prepared for some more stick from Flintoff.

Story continues below this ad

Everybody said hes an amazing player and he has been for some time. Im not that disappointed that I wont have to face him again after this series in Test cricket. He always performs under pressure and no doubt hell be ready to give us a bit more stick Thursday.

Australia will still be without Brett Lee and are likely to continue with Mitchell Johnson despite his ineffective performances in the first two Tests.