England have confidence in Lyth

04 August 2015 03:46

England's selectors are confident opening batsman Adam Lyth will deliver in the Ashes series with Australia as the hosts seek a series-clinching win at Trent Bridge this week.

Yorkshire batsman Lyth has failed to make a serious impact so far, hitting just 72 runs in six innings with a highest score of 37.

England take a 2-1 lead to Nottingham for the start of the fourth Test on Thursday.

England have already changed their batting line-up this series, with Jonny Bairstow replacing Gary Ballance and Ian Bell and Joe Root moving up the order.

Nottinghamshire's Alex Hales has also been tipped to replace Lyth but selector Mick Newell insists the opener's position is safe.

"We haven't even discussed anything beyond this Test match," Newell told Sky Sports.

"Adam Lyth has everyone's confidence to come out here on Thursday and score runs for England.

"He has justified his place in the team and scored an awful lot of runs for Yorkshire to get into this team and he has a Test match century under his belt, so he has everyone's confidence."

Victory will see England regain the Ashes and Newell is hopeful the wicket can favour their bowling attack, where a change is needed as James Anderson is absent with a side strain.

"The main issues for us are mainly pace and bounce in the wicket," Newell added.

Mark Wood bowled in the nets on Monday in a bid to prove his fitness following an ankle problem and will likely continue his selection bid on Tuesday.

Australia wicketkeeper Peter Nevill knows England will find it difficult to replace Anderson.

Nevill said: "He's obviously a world-class bowler so they are big shoes to fill for whoever comes into that role."

Nevill also backed Michael Clarke to regain his form after the under-fire captain flopped again in Birmingham.

Clarke has scored only 94 runs in six innings this series and hit just 13 in the third Test.

Nevill said: "He knows how to get the best out of himself. I'm sure that there's big runs around the corner for him."

Source: PA