We'll look at who can win the Urn and maybe an investment or two to enjoy through the wee hours if you watching in Australia.
ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA
Fourth Test
4-8 September 2019 @ Old Trafford
Test Cricket hey – it's the ultimate.
You can give me any occasion you like (including the dual tied World Cup Final) and I'd take a riveting Test Match any day.
Even those of the T-20 vintage, with the seduction of constant boundaries, slower ball bouncers and ramp shots, will never convince that the long form should ever be lost.
Ben Stokes played an all time innings Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images What happened at Leeds will go down as a stuff of legend. While many (mostly Aussies) will fret over the fact it was Ben Stokes and some of his recent foibles, you simply have to doff the cap and applaud the cricketing genius.
However most will look at the headlines and focus on the 135 not out getting England home. Of course that was absolutely critical.
In my opinion the only way that innings was capable of contributing to a sensational win was following his unbelievable spell on day 3.
With Labuschagne and Head building on an unforeseen 112 run lead, Stokes effectively bowled the entire last session, bar for four balls of Archer who limped off.
His pace remained in the mid to high 80mph, he bowled full, he bowled short, he swung it in, he swung it out.
He knocked Head over with a searing yorker and then later Wade with a bumper which took the glove. He also had Labuschagne dropped at slip by Root, dropped by the keeper and also knicked him off only to see it was a no-ball.
The 3/56 figures off 25 overs in no way does that spell justice. Even 25 more runs could have been a difference as it worked out for the tourists.
You add that to the way the Aussie tail felt they had enough so swung with abandon and the 359 target should have been more.
All that said, to be nine-for needing 76 more, it's unfathomable to lose under those circumstances. Oh for some M Starc stump rattlers.
Much was made of the poor field placings and planning by Tim Paine. Were certain administrative rules in place following Cape Town, question marks might well be raised. He's kept well but the batting has been weak.
On top of that the bowling was too short. Having pitched up and rock and rolled England for 67 (just let that sink in), there was too much half tracking in the second dig.
To make up the perfect storm, the dropped catch, missed run out, poor referral then shocking lbw (and thereby non-referral) and Australia limps to Manchester with their tail between their legs rather than chest out with the Urn firmly in the bag.
The psychology of that must now impact surely. While most thought going into Test 4 that we'd be at the home of Lancashire at 1-1, the progression of the game swayed that on multiple occasions.
Day One only reinforced that with the collapse of the tourists only for 67 to then occur.
Justin Langer will be asked to work psychological miracles Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images No matter who is involved – be it Langer, Ponting or even a clinical psychologist – they will do a fine job to resurrect this group of young men.
How could you not feel that the Ashes were secured only to have that taken away? In fact they'll do well not to get thrashed in Manchester and then London.
It has the feel of the 1981 tidal wave. Bothamed again at Headingley. They certainly didn't feel Stoked.
Maybe an even better analogy is the 1992/93 West Indies series when having for so long been on the other end of capitulation, Australia looked like winning in Adelaide and therefore the series.
Then a crumble saw them 82 shy with only May and McDermott to support the debutant, Justin Langer himself. It knicked and nudged down to be one run left before another controversial moment of the McDermott caught behind decision.
They headed to Perth with emotional scars and watched Curtly Ambrose produced a spell of 7/1. That team was gone before they crossed the ropes.
I guess Joel Wilson was a constant connection to that time given West Indian roots, as his intervention (or lack thereof) could haunt this team for a long time.
So it is to Old Trafford. Many good memories for the Aussies in recent times including securing the Ashes in 1989.
Old Trafford still has the ghosts of the Warne ball Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images And of course 1993 lives in infamy for all England supporters as the beginning of a mostly 15 years of pain. That was the announcement of the blonde leg spinner on the world stage.
Mike Gatting had some moments through his career (good and bad) but nothing more notable than watching a spitting, swerving cobra fizz past his edge and clip off stump.
Any chance that blonde, who is there commentating in between having cakes thrust in front of him that consistently frequent English press boxes, could roll the arm over even just for 10 overs? He'd be a chance to knock over the tail!
Old Trafford has a history of spinning. Will it be dry? There is one thing you may notice for those with a great eye for the game.
Nearly a decade ago, the wicket was turned 90 degrees in direction. After long having setting suns cause blindness for players and play having to be curtailed near day's end, the decision was made to switch the ground around.
Players used to sit square on like the old Adelaide Oval rooms but now that is not the case.
Maybe Australia would like that as they will need a re-direction of 180 degrees after last week. Changes will be called for. Will they be heeded?
Could they drop Tim Paine? It would be a monumental call and highly unlikely. Give Wade the gloves and play Marsh with Smith back for either Harris or Khawaja. Labuschagne is the only one to show discipline so must be retained.
Mitch Starc is charged with knocking over the tail Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images In fact consider he and Smith are yet to play in the same innings so collectively still have near 40% of the team's runs.
The Steve Smith comeback conundrum will only be known in hindsight too. There is nothing that can be taken for granted after such a trauma.
England would have been so tempted for a Jimmy Anderson return at home. He would have bowled from his own end as well with one of them recently named after him. That is not a chance now.
The game of cricket swings fast. Joe Root couldn't get the ball off the square before the second innings last time. Would be no surprise to see him go on with it now.
But Mitchell Starc looks the likely in for the bowlers and those left handed inswingers, verring in on his pads have danger written all over them. Bairstow and Denly the same. They will need to defend those well.
They say in monarchical systems – the King is dead, long live the King.
Well in cricketing terminology – Test Cricket is dead, long live Test Cricket because its death is highly overrated.
Suggested Fourth Test First Innings Bets: Joe Root – Highest Score First Innings England @ $4.00
Suggested Fourth Test First Innings Bets: Marnus Labuschagne – Highest Score First Innings Australia @ $5.50
