remain with England but it would also equal a 125 year old 7 match Aussie losing streak and leave Australian cricket at one of its lowest points in history.

The visitors do not need more inspiration than what the situation demands. A look at the numbers and what's at stake - the series, their pride, their reputation, is enough motivation for them to give it their all. But does this Australian team have the ability and the skill-set to topple a world-class English side? Most former players and experts believe they do not! Ashton Agar's freak heroic performance in the opening Test at Trent Bridge, albeit in a losing cause, rekindled hopes of an Australian fightback and an exciting keenly contested series. But soon everything, including the enigmatic personalityof the new coach, Darren Lehmann, was washed away as the hosts thrashed their traditional foes in the Mecca of cricket. The humiliation at Lord's was a result of an insipid and uninspiring batting display by the visitors and though some of their batsmen got some invaluable runs in the tour match against Sussex at Hove, the real test awaits at Manchester!

Team News:

Australia

Australia need their top order to fire. The batsmen need to take the responsibility and give their bowlers some runs to play with. Ashton Agar, with 130 runs from 4 innings has been their leading run-scorer thus far. Michael Clarke and Shane Watson, the only others to cross an aggregate of 100 in the series need to convert their starts into meaningful and big contributions.

The controversial