Australia's men are one win away from their first Ashes series triumph in England in 22 years but face several challenges to claim the victory at Old Trafford.
KEY FACTORS IN AUSTRALIA'S BID TO RETAIN THE ASHES WITH A WIN IN MANCHESTER
DAVID WARNER HOLDING OFF STUART BROAD
Australia have stood by their opener, backing him in for the fourth Test after back-to-back failures at Headingley. Teammates insist Warner's starts in this series have been crucial, with three opening partnerships of 50-plus runs with Usman Khawaja. But the fact Broad has removed him 17 times in Test cricket cannot be denied. Expect Warner to take a much more attacking approach into this Test through the early stages.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE GOING ON WITH A START
Labuschagne entered this series as the world's top-ranked batsman but has averaged just 24 so far, with a top score of 47. In a frustrating run, the right-hander has passed 50 only once in his past 16 innings. But Australia are insistent there are positives to be taken from the fact he is continually getting starts before getting out, having scored between 20 and 50 in the past four innings.
FINDING A WAY TO HANDLE MARK WOOD
Wood's pace made a big difference for England at Headingley, where the right-armer not only took seven wickets but built the pressure to have batters fall at the other end while he was bowling. England plan on using him in short, sharp bursts in Manchester this week, so it will be crucial for Australia to bat for long periods to wear down Wood and the rest of a home side attack that has an average age of 36.
STOPPING BEN STOKES
Australia have made no secret of their desire to dismiss Stokes before he begins batting with the tail, when the England captain has been at his most destructive. His heavy hitting at Lord's almost won the hosts the second Test, while fast runs for the final wickets at Headingley turned the match dramatically in the first innings. Stokes averages 52.8 at Old Trafford, but Australia have had some success with Mitchell Starc bowling at him in this series.
TRAVIS HEAD'S SPIN
Head is going to be called upon as Australia's chief spinner after the decision to leave out Todd Murphy and play five seamers. The South Australian took 4-10 against Sri Lanka in Galle last year, but perhaps more pertinently he claimed two scalps at Lord's earlier in this series when the visitors were missing an injured Nathan Lyon. England have played shorter innings so far this series, meaning Head's workload should not be too high, but the Old Trafford wicket is known to turn late in matches.
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