Dave Tickner looks forward to a positive result in the fourth Test with the Ashes rivals set to do battle at Headingley.
Established: 1890
Capacity: 17,000
Floodlights: No
Ends: Kirkstall Lane End, Football Stand End
Home Team: Yorkshire
Test History: 68 Tests; 30 home wins; 21 away wins; 17 draws
England v Australia: 23 Tests; 7 home wins, 8 away wins, 8 draws
Last 10 Tests: 6 home wins; 4 away wins
Last 10 tosses: 7 batted first (5 wins, 2 defeats); 3 bowled first (3 wins)
Overview
The brouhaha about Cardiff getting the first Ashes Test of the summer meant that the ECB's decision to award the fourth match to a building site went almost unnoticed.
Headingley is a ground with almost unrivalled tradition and history, but it's been in need of significant redevelopment for some time.
That process is now under way, but it means that the fourth Ashes Test is going to be played at a ground that is far from finished.
When complete, the redevelopment work will increase capacity and mean the cricketers no longer have to share changing facilities with the rugby ground that backs on to the cricket ground.
As far as the pitch is concerned, Headingley can usually be relied on for a result. Indeed, there hasn't been a draw in Leeds since a rain-affected Test against Pakistan in 1996 and that is one of only two stalemates since one of English cricket's most celebrated victories.
In 1981, Ian Botham and Bob Willis combined to see England to an astonishing Ashes victory after being forced to follow on by the Australians as the home side went on to win the urn in a series known ever after as Botham's Ashes.
Last time out
A nostalgic trip down memory lane for England fans, as the team and selectors made a baffling return to the bad old days of the 90s in a crushing 10-wicket defeat at the hands of South Africa.
First there was the once-mandatory random Headingley 'horses for courses' pick from the shires (or Outback in this case) as Nottinghamshire's Darren Pattinson was called up from nowhere for a first (and, it's fair to conclude, last) Test cap.
Then there was a batting collapse on a blameless pitch followed by a toothless bowling effort in the face of some disciplined batting. A second lamentable batting effort allowed South Africa to complete an embarrassingly easy four-day victory.
On day one, England were skittled for just 203 as Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel picked up four wickets apiece.
On the second day, England toiled all day and dismissed only Hashim Amla (a second wicket for Pattinson) as AB de Villiers and Ashwell Prince amassed joyless but ruthlessly effective centuries to leave England in a massive hole, trailing by 319 on first innings.
They never looked like getting out of it, and only an entertaining but futile 67 not out from Stuart Broad at number nine prevented an innings defeat.
Australia's Last Visit
Another vintage slice of Ashes legend in Leeds.
Steve Waugh's powerful side had already retained the urn in quick time and were eyeing the possibility of a 5-0 whitewash.
But Waugh himself was injured for the Headingley Test, leaving Adam Gilchrist in charge.
The match got off to a familiar start, Australia racing to 447 all out in barely 100 overs thanks to centuries from Ricky Ponting (144) and Damien Martyn (118). The persevering Darren Gough took five wickets.
England's reply also had a familiar air to it as the top six all got in and then got out again, with Alec Stewart's unbeaten 76 helping the side scramble to
