Alastair Cook has called on his players to etch their names in the history of English cricket by regaining the Ashes at Trent Bridge with a match to spare.
Cook’s side, who go into Thursday’s fourth Test 2-1 up in a seesaw series, have the chance to finish off Australia and finally draw a line under the acrimony that followed the whitewash defeat in 2013-14.
“There’s an opportunity for someone to really make a name for themselves in the history of English cricket,” Cook said. “If someone scores a really big hundred or takes six or seven wickets to help England win the game, their name will be etched in history forever.”
Mark Wood will replace Jimmy Anderson in England’s attack, having come through three days of full training unscathed following a painkilling injection to his troublesome left ankle.
The Durham fast bowler has been tipped by the England head coach, Trevor Bayliss, to share the new ball with Stuart Broad on a pitch Cook has compared to the seamer witnessed in the eight-wicket win at Edgbaston.
Anderson, who has remained in the camp to help with bowling plans, remains confident of returning fit for the fifth Test at the Kia Oval and is undergoing oxygen therapy in a bid to speed up the healing process of a side strain.
The Australia captain, Michael Clarke, has compared Anderson’s loss to the injury suffered by Glenn McGrath in the famous 2005 series, something Cook would not be drawn on. “I can’t talk about McGrath as I never captained or played with him,” Cook said. “He was a big miss for them and Jimmy is a big miss for us. He gives you attacking options and control.
“I said at the end of Edgbaston there was no point moaning about it – injuries to fast bowlers happen. He has had a fantastic run and it is a great opportunity for whoever is picked to take on that mantle.”
Cook’s side came into the series as underdogs but can wrap up victory on a ground where they are unbeaten in six Tests, having won five of them.
Victory would end an unprecedented run of results that has ended up with England going WLWLWLW in their past seven Tests – a sequence Cook blames on failing to repeat wins in the second of back-to-back matches. After their three-day win in Birmingham, the captain expects the additional 48 hours of rest to pay dividends.
“All those losses have come from the second game of a back-to-back run. We have won the first one, where we have been fresher. This game we have had a bonus two days off at Edgbaston, so that can’t be used as an excuse. I am sitting here now and I am really happy with the way the guys have prepared, and the coaches as well. It is down to the 11 guys delivering that. If we play to our potential, we will do well. If we don’t, we will come unstuck.
Cook’s opposite number, Clarke, is facing his fourth series defeat in England and scrutiny over his own returns with the bat but he remains optimistic of his side becoming the first team to come back from 2-1 down to win the Ashes since Don Bradman inspired Australia in 1936-37, having been 2-0 down.
“I think there’s no doubt this is my last opportunity to win an Ashes series in England – for me personally and for a number of the guys,” he said. “There’s no doubt every single one of these players in this changing room would love to win this Test, go on and win at The Oval and win the Ashes in England.
“There’s only one way to do it and that’s by giving your all, your absolute best – and the result will take care of itself. It’s not going to be from a lack of desire, a lack of preparation or lack of hard work. If you get beaten, you get beaten but I can guarantee you we’re going to have a red-hot crack, that’s for sure.”
