Seamers aim to cash in

The build-up to the fourth Test has been clouded with uncertainty. Both teams have had injury worries and key players are striving for fitness on the eve of the match. And given that Headingley has hosted three draws in four County Championship matches this season, there have been doubts over the extent of swing and movement fast bowlers will be able to generate.

However, overcast conditions have been forecast for the early part of the Test, which could assist the fast bowlers, and Headingley has an excellent record of producing results in Tests in recent years.

The last ten Tests at Headingley have had outright results with England winning six and losing four. The hosts have a favourable record while Australia's figures are mixed; in the last Ashes Test here - a dead rubber in 2001 - England chased 315 after a bold declaration by Adam Gilchrist. Since then, England have lost three out of six Tests at the venue, twice against South Africa and once against India.

England's batsmen have a modest record at Headingley and only some of their newer inclusions have met, or exceeded, expectations. Kevin Pietersen, who misses out, tops the list among the current crop of players in terms of runs scored - 435 at 87 - but the others are far behind. Andrew Strauss averages 38 in four Tests and Andrew Flintoff - who scored ducks in his first four innings at Headingley - 28.22 from five. The England batsmen have managed only two centuries among them in 40 innings at the venue. (Click here for the individual records of England batsmen at Headingley since 2000.)

The difficulty in handling the conditions is also reflected in the partnership stats for England at Headingley, with only the third-wicket stand averaging over 50 since 2000. There have been only six century stands for the top five wickets and none for the fourth wicket.

Only three players in the Australian squad have played a Test at Headingley. Ricky Ponting has an outstanding record, scoring 343 runs in two Tests including two centuries with an average of 114.33. Simon Katich made 15 runs in the only Test he played here while Brett Lee had a poor outing in 2001, taking two wickets at an average of 84.

Despite the assistance on offer, England's bowlers have had a relatively tough time at Headingley, with Ryan Sidebottom being the exception. His selection for the fourth Test, apart from his ability to swing the ball, may also have had to do with his record at the venue. In his only Test at Headingley, against West Indies in 2007, Sidebottom bagged eight wickets at 10.25. For the others, however, the figures are far less impressive. Flintoff has nine wickets in five Tests at 43 each while James Anderson averages over 50. Steve Harmison has done reasonably well, and Monty Panesar, in conditions traditionally favouring fast bowlers, has taken ten wickets at 25.20 apiece. (Click here for the individual records of England bowlers at Headingley since 2000.)

Given the record of fast bowlers at Headingley, it won't be surprising if Australia opt for a four-pronged pace attack. Fast bowlers have bagged five five-fors at the venue since 2000. Spinners, despite Panesar's effort, and Kumble's seven-wicket haul in India's win in 2002, have largely been ineffective.

Teams winning the toss at Headingley have opted to bat on six out of eight occasions since 2000, emerging victorious in four of those games and losing two. The first innings has been the most productive while teams have averaged the least in the third. (Click for the stats for the second and the fourth innings since 2000.)