England will be keen to win the series when they take on Australia in the fourth Test of the Ashes at Chester-le-Street on Friday.

The hosts have already retained the Ashes, after winning the first two matches and managing a draw in the last game at Manchester. However, the result of the series has yet to be decided.

England can clinch an overall victory with a draw in this match or the next, while Australia have to win both to square the series. The visitors will be desperate to do so and stage some sort of a comeback, ahead of the 2013-14 Ashes at home that begins in November.

Ashes 2013
Reuters

Where to Watch Third Test Live

Play starts at 11am BST, with live television coverage on Sky Sports Ashes. Live radio commentary is available on BBC Radio 5 live extra and BBC Radio 4 Long Wave.

Remember to check back here for daily reports from IBTimes UK.

Overview

England are unbeaten for 11 games in succession while Australia have now failed to win seven games in a row, losing six. The visitors came into this series following a 4-0 loss in India earlier this year and they have to start winning at Chester-le-Street, if they still hope to restore some pride.

The hosts needed some help from the weather to manage a draw in the last match but will still enter this tie high on confidence, with Ian Bell continuing his great form with the bat. Joe Root peaked in the second Test, while Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and Jonny Bairstow have all chipped in with good scores when needed. James Anderson was the star bowler in the first Test, while Graeme Swann has been the go-to man since then.

Top-order batting has been Australia's Achilles heel for some time now and with the exception of that first innings at Old Trafford, they have struggled for big totals throughout this series. Michael Clarke is the only batsman who is looking confident against the English attack, though Chris Rogers seems to have find some sort of form of late. Ryan Harris and Mitchell Starc showed some good form with the ball; others have disappointed.

Form Guide

England

Last five Tests (most recent first): D W W W W

Australia

Last five Tests (most recent first): D L L L L

Pitch

Another really dry and hard surface is likely, with cracks expected to emerge as the match wears on. There will be some bounce that might please both the batsmen and the pacemen alike. The forecast for Durham this week has been cloudy weather and intermittent rain.

Team News

England: Graham Onions has been included in the 13-man squad and the local boy could come in to the side for this match, at the expense of Tim Bresnan. Also, Chris Tremlett, finds extra bounce on most surfaces, might get a look in, if Alastair Cook decides to rest either Stuart Broad or Anderson.

Probable Line-up: Cook (c), Root, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Bairstow, Prior (wk), Broad, Swann, Onions, Anderson

Australia: As seen in the second innings at Old Trafford, David Warner could return as opener alongside Rogers, with Shane Watson dropping down the order. Australia would like to remain unchanged but if either Harris or Starc is not fully fit, Jackson Bird could come in to the XI.

Probable Line-up: Warner, Rogers, Khawaja, Clarke (c), Watson, Smith, Haddin (wk), Starc, Siddle, Lyon, Bird

Australia India