Michael Clarke: ‘We have plans for Jonny Bairstow’

England director of cricket Andrew Strauss denied requesting slow strips for the five-Test series, a ploy that has played into Australia’s hands, according to coach Trevor Bayliss.

The 37-year-old lefthander is on track to pad up for the third Ashes test at Edgbaston starting Wednesday barring a return of the symptoms that cut short his second innings on 49.

“He’s delighted to be back at three”, Cook said yesterday of Bell.

“The selectors would have thrown that around in the meetings”, Cook said.

Wood was unable to bowl in the outdoor nets on Tuesday due to heavy rain in Birmingham, and Cook said a decision would be made on his fitness on the morning of the match. “Whether you’re batting three, four or five you’ve got to score hundreds and I’m looking forward to that challenge”.

“I would think that with the weather forecast – it’s not going be the heatwave everyone was talking about – that probably Finny will be pushing”, he added.

But 2015 has also seen Alastair Cook’s side follow every Test defeat they’ve suffered with a victory and the England captain said the lesson of a decade ago, when he was a fledgling batsman with Essex, was that anything was possible.

A win for either country would put them 2-1 ahead with two Test matches to play at Trent Bridge and The Oval.

Of the last 17 Ashes Tests in England – going back to 2005 – only one has been won by the side batting second.

“Whoever gets the call will be the lucky one”.

“He’s a great man Hadds.I’ve really loved having him as vice captain and he’s performed exceptionally well”, Clarkesaid.

“We talked about backing up a good performance with another and we could not manage to do it. That has now gone, we have obviously had a few days off, and I think the mood in the camp is fantastic”.

WITH England deciding to call up Jonny Bairstow for the Third Test at Edgbaston, they have brought in a potential match-winner.

With Rogers nearly certain to play after his spell of dizziness at Lord’s that, contrary to fears, had nothing to do with being pinged on the helmet by Anderson, Australia wears a settled look.

But if there is more sideways movement off the pitch at Edgbaston, then those two need to bowl a fuller length.

After a hard start to the tour in Cardiff, Mitchell Johnson returned to his tormenting best at Lord’s and will hope to continue his psychological assault on England’s bowlers in Birmingham.

Left-arm fast bowler Johnson took 37 wickets at 14 apiece as Australia thrashed England 5-0 on home soil to regain the Ashes in 2013/14.

“I still believe that when I’m playing at my best I’m a world-class player and I’m desperate for the kind of runs that come with being a top-order player for England, but I’ve known over a long time with England that your job is to score runs”.

“(Haddin is) still working exceptionally hard and will now wait for his opportunity, whether that be through injury or getting selected”, Clarke said.