Cook calls on players to be Ashes heroes

England captain Alastair Cook wants his side to seize their chance to become Ashes heroes as they bid for a series-clinching win over Australia at Trent Bridge.

There’s no reason whatsoever why they can’t wrap things up at Trent Bridge with Australia under the cosh right now. “I don’t think there’s been too many cases in history where a guy has 299 wickets and played 80-odd Tests and he’s waiting to lead the attack”, Cook said Wednesday.

Jimmy Anderson’s side strain has been likened to Glenn McGrath’s game-changing ankle injury during the 2005 Ashes by a handful of players and coaches in the Australian camp.

Prior to this series, Cook said winning the Ashes in 2015 would represent one of the greatest achievements of his career given the humiliation England suffered in Australia last time round.

Adam Lyth has looked a walking wicket this series, scoring 72 runs at an average of 12.

There will be a crystallisation of Clarke’s achievements – as a great modern batsman and Australia captain – in the outcome of a series which could yet variously result in his fourth failure in England, victory at last or mere retention of the urn should the tourists turn 2-1 to their hosts into 2-2 over the final two Tests.

But the 34-year-old, who has scored 28 Test centuries, said he was going nowhere, with the desire to play still burning strongly. “After 13 years in this team I still think I can improve”.

“But I can guarantee you we’re going to have a red-hot crack, that’s for sure”.

England will regain the Ashes if they claim victory in the fourth Test which gets underway on Thursday morning.

IN THE NETS: Australia’s Michael Clarke.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with the actual numbers stacking up”, Cook said.

As befits a player of his standing, he has got used to defying the odds.

Meanwhile Nottinghamshire groundsman Steve Birks is under pressure too after last year’s Test pitch at Trent Bridge was officially classed as “poor” after a run-glut draw between England and India proved heart-breaking for any bowler above medium-pace. “Wood will walk back in and I don’t find that a problem”.