Batting England's major worry ahead of fourth Test

London, August 15: England captain Nasser Hussain returns for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley on Thursday knowing that an improved batting performance is essential if his team are to prevent their oldest foes going 4-0 up in the five-match series.

In England's last eight innings, despite a succession of strong starts, they have passed 300 just once.

At Edgbaston, in the first Ashes Test, eight wickets were lost for 85 and then seven for 22, at Lord's seven for 66 and six for 39 before in the second innings at Trent Bridge eight wickets disappeared for a mere 47 runs.

To make matters worse for England, Headingley is notorious as the most pace bowler friendly Test pitch in the country: last year's Test there against the West Indies ended inside two days.

For England the rot set in when in the second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford earlier this summer eight wickets were lost for 60 runs as the visitors won a match that seemed destined for a draw.

England were still unbeaten in five series but the alarm bells were ringing.

Their middle order problems have not been helped by injuries to Hussain (finger), Graham Thorpe (calf/hand) and Michael Vaughan (knee) that have seen coach Duncan Fletcher unable to name his first choice batting line-up against the world champions.

Hussain returns for this match after having his finger broken by Aussie quick Jason Gillespie in the first Test at Edgbaston but whether he alone can stiffen England's batting line up is open to question.

Surrey left-handed batsman Ian Ward and Yorkshire all-rounder Craig White have been dropped after failing to make much of an impression so far.

"Ian Ward has had a tough time against a high quality attack, but he is the sort of player who has the character to go away and learn from his experiences and come again," said England chairman of selectors David Graveney.

He added: "Craig White is a similar situation and has not been dropped because of his batting as some have said, but because he seems to have lost confidence in his bowling.

"I don't see this is a major setback for him because he has the ability to come back, he will remain in our thoughts for the winter and could be an important figure on the sub-continent."

The discarded pair's places taken by Nottinghamshire batsman Usman Afzaal and Hampshire left-arm quick Alan Mullally.

The former will probably play as England's seventh batsman while the latter is set to add variety to an all right-arm pace attack of Darren Gough, Andrew Caddick and Alex Tudor, that performed well at Trent Bridge.

That would mean no place in the line up for Glamorgan off-spinner Robert Croft, ineffective with the bat and barely given a chance with the ball in the third Test.

But all bowlers need a target to defend. Australia number three Ricky Ponting has had a poor tour but the strength of the middle order has meant his lack of runs has barely been noticed.

Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has been in superb form with the bat as innings of 152 at Edgbaston, 90 at Lord's and 54 at Trent Bridge have shown. His ability to shepherd the tail has been something England have sorely lacked.

Australia will be without captain Steve Waugh for this Test after he tore his calf muscle while batting at Trent Bridge.

That ought to leave a straight fight between the experienced Justin Langer and Simon Katich, yet to play a Test but a man in form, for the vacant spot.

"It would be a tragedy if Simon Katich does not play in the next Test match. It's the perfect time to introdduce some youth," Rodney Marsh told Australian television on Sunday.

As the former Australia wicket-keeper was until recently the head of his country's cricket academy it is fair to say he knows a decent young player when he sees one.

The good news for England is that Marsh is about to take on a similar role with them although that looks like being their only Ashes coup this summer.

England (from): Michael Atherton, Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, Mark Ramprakash, Nasser Hussain (capt), Alec Stewart (wkt), Usman Afzaal, Alex Tudor, Robert Croft, Andrew Caddick, Darren Gough, Alan Mullally, Richard Johnson.

Australia (probable): Michael Slater, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist (capt/wkt), Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath.