Before the fourth Test, which begins at Chester-le-Street, Durham, on Friday, both England and Australia have had plenty to ponder.

For Australia, the Ashes are gone, but a drawn series is still up for grabs. Having been unlucky at Old Trafford, where his team would have almost certainly have won had the weather not intervened, captain Michael Clarke may feel Australian fortunes are on the up.

The usually seam-friendly Durham wicket may tempt the Aussies to drop spinner Nathan Lyon and go with an all-pace attack, a strategy that, while not without merit, involves a substantial gamble.