England announce batting change for fourth Test

England batsman Joe Denly has confirmed he will open the batting in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, with Jason Roy to move down the order to No.4.

Roy has had a torrid time at the top of the order in the Ashes so far, averaging just 9.5 as part of England's opening stand that has averaged 12.5 for the series.

"I got a call from Joe Root and he said he'd like for me to go at the top of the order and try and get us off to a good start," Denly, who has batted at No.4 in the first three Tests, told BBC Radio.

"With Jason at four it enables him to come in and play his way.

"He’s a dangerous player so he's great to have there."

Denly has fared slightly better than Roy in this series, averaging 24.5 in six innings at second drop.

The right-hander is coming off a patient, resilient 50 in England's second innings at Headingley, before Ben Stokes capped off an incredible run chase with a thrilling unbeaten century.

Denly will swap places with Roy, who has struggled to counter Australia's high-octane new-ball pace attack and has been unable to replicate his barnstorming form in limited-overs cricket in the five-day game.

While Roy has battled as a Test opener in this series, Denly's first-class record at the top of the order is hardly prolific, either.

The 33-year-old scored his only century opening the batting four years ago and has not passed 50 in his past 14 innings facing the new ball.

The batting reshuffle does not faze Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who has dismissed both Roy and Denly twice in the two Tests he has played this campaign.

"Whenever the other team are changing plans, (it) means you're doing something right," Hazlewood said in Derby on Saturday.

"Whoever is at the top, whatever the order, it's the same plans. What we've talked about before, keeping it simple, patient, disciplined."

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner.

England squad: Joe Root (c), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Craig Overton, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes (vc), Chris Woakes.

First Test: Australia won by 251 runs at Edgbaston

Second Test: Match drawn at Lord's

Third Test: England won by one wicket at Headingley

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: September 4-8, Old Trafford

Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval