Leeds pitch report

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 309 all out. Then the weather started to get involved. With time being taken out of the game, Australia raced to 176 for four inside 40 overs thanks to Ponting's run-a-ball 72. Then Gilchrist took a gamble. Was it aggressive or arrogant to set England 315 and with more than a day to get them? Either way, it appeared destined for success when Mike Atherton and Marcus Trescothick departed early. But then Mark Butcher decided to play the innings of his life. The left-hander drove and cut the Australians to distraction as a hundred partnership with captain Nasser Hussain (55) got England within sight of a famous victory. Hussain departed, but Butcher kept going and going and going, ending up with a career-best 177 not out as England romped home by six wickets.

They said...

"If there is a sporting venue in the world with a greater claim to fame than Headingley, I am not aware of it."
Former Yorkshire president Robin Smith. "What we've seen of him is ideal for these conditions and other conditions elsewhere. Pattinson's bowled really well: he's outbowled the others. The message to those guys is that we've watched them play too and will continue to do so."
England selector Geoff Miller on that bizarre selection in 2008. "There wasn't a lot on offer (from the pitch), we got a little bit of reverse swing, but we put England under pressure. It was nice to see our bowlers back where they can be."
Graeme Smith after England's batting collapsed a second time in 2008.

Happy Hunting Ground:

England's record might be decent here, but none of their players will be particularly delighted to head to Leeds. None of the top six average more than mid-30s here, and the bowling stats aren't flash either. But we've got to put something, so we'll flag up James Anderson's batting average of 45 (he's only been out once) and the fact that in his one previous game as captain in Leeds Andrew Strauss hit a century. But there is one man with fond (personal) memories of Leeds and will be happy to head north after a couple of lean games. In 2001 Ricky Ponting hit 144 and 72, with the runs coming at only a tick under a run a ball.

Weather Forecast:

Not bad. The early hours of Friday don't look good but the rain should have gone by the start of play. And the forecast for the opening few days look good, however there is the worrying prospect of rain just as the match could get interesting. Some cloud cover as well could help the swing bowlers.

Conclusion:

A positive result is generally a safe bet in Leeds. There have been only two draws since 1980 and none in the last 10 Tests. It's a record that offers far more certainty than an admittedly dodgy long-range weather forecast. Headingley's a curious ground, with the tendency to transform from batting paradise to a seaming, swinging nightmare for batsmen the second a couple of clouds roll in and that unpredictability is part of the reason for its high ratio of positive results. Cliché has it that when you win the toss at Headingley you look up, not down when deciding what to do. And with Australia struggling against the swinging ball, that may well prove true again. Certainly, the toss has a habit of proving decisive in Leeds: eight of the last to win the spin have gone on to win the match, while those who bowl first have a 100 per cent record in recent years. So by the time the fourth Test is completed England will have either regained the urn, or Australia will have levelled matters and set up a final-Test decider at The Oval. And, with these teams as evenly matched as they are, a correct call and decision at the coin toss could prove a decisive factor in determining which scenario comes to pass. Dave Tickner