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Fourth Test rests in Lyon's hands: Ponting

Former skipper urges Australia’s quicks to hold nothing back ahead of the fifth Test, says off-spinner holds the key to winning at Old Trafford

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has urged Tim Paine's side to go out “all guns blazing” trying to win the fourth Test without thinking about the consequences of the short turnaround of the Ashes finale at The Oval.

And Ponting says veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon holds the key to Australia winning at Old Trafford, where victory would see the tourists retain the Ashes with one match to play.

At stumps on day three, England are 5-200 from 74 overs, trailing Australia by 297 runs with two 98-over days to play.

While Australia still need to capture 15 more England wickets, and most likely bat again, Ponting says Paine's side can "absolutely" win on a pitch that is offering enough assistance to the bowlers.

But despite the fifth Test starting just three days after the scheduled conclusion in Manchester, Ponting does not want to see Australia play conservatively with an eye to preserving their fast bowlers for the final match.

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He says chances to win Tests in England are a rare commodity, and after watching Australia lose the Headingley Test they should have won, Ponting wants the visitors to be ruthless pushing for a win on the final two days of play.

"Australia have to go all guns blazing to win this game, do everything they can to win this game and then worry about the recovery and turnaround for the next Test match," Ponting told cricket.com.au.

"Opportunities like this don't come around all the time.

"They let one slip in the last Test in Leeds, they’ve bounced back strong in this game so far and they've just got to go in for the kill now.

"A shortened day (on Friday) might help the bowlers recover but they’ve got to try and do everything they can to try and bowl Australia to victory in these next two days."

Paceman Josh Hazlewood, who has been the pick of the Australia bowlers with 4-48 from 20 overs, said after play on Friday he’s not thinking about the fifth Test, knowing the quality of the squad's fast bowlers that are sitting on the sidelines ready to play if needed.

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"It (The Oval) doesn't really come into my mind at all, probably due to the fact that we've got three class quicks on the bench as well," Hazlewood said after day three, where only 64 overs were bowled due to rain and bad light.

"Most guys have had a hit-out now apart from Michael Neser, so I that's one thing that Peter Siddle brought up at the start of the series – just focus on the game at hand, give everything for this game because we know we've got great back-up in the sheds.

"So we'll be thinking about this game, and after this one we'll worry about the next one."

While Hazlewood and Pat Cummins (1-37) have shared the England wickets to date, Ponting is convinced Lyon is the major weapon for Australia having seen how the pitch is playing and the record of the off-spinner.

It was only three Tests ago at Edgbaston where Lyon spun Australia to victory on the final day with a haul of 6-49 to deliver a 251-run win.

While the 31-year-old has taken just five wickets since Birmingham, Ponting expects the wily offie to have a big say on the weekend in Manchester.

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"As far as I'm concerned, Lyon 100 per cent holds the key to Australia winning the Test," Ponting said.

"The quicks have been outstanding and got all the wickets so far, but I have just got the feeling if Nathan gets it right, he's going to be a real handful late in the game.

"He is getting a lot of turn and bounce and it's not going to be an easy wicket for any batsman to start on because of that bounce and spin he is getting.

"Jack Leach (England's left-arm spinner) will get it in the second innings too if Australia happen to bat again.

"There's just been enough there to keep the bowlers in the game."

Lyon was not at his best on Friday, bowling 26 overs without snaring a wicket.

Image Id: 53F5908902714361A93139AB3C787346 Image Caption: Lyon went wicketless on day three at Old Trafford // Getty

Ponting studied Lyon closely from the Sky Sports commentary box and found the off-spinner's trademark consistency to be missing for most of the day.

At his best, Lyon creates wicket-taking chances by building pressure with his relentless accuracy, but it was not the case against England captain Joe Root and opener Rory Burns, who put on 141 for the third wicket.

But Ponting is confident Lyon will rebound on the final two days of the Test.

"If you think of Nathan through his career, it's been his consistency and how often he hits the same spot (that has made him successful),” Ponting said. “And today and particularly to the left-hander Burns, he was really short, he (was) played of the back foot almost every ball.

"A bit the same with Root. You could see the way Root wants to play him, off the back foot when the ball is pitching just outside off stump and he looks to sweep him if it's fuller and wider outside the off stump.

"So Lyon was just a little bit inconsistent, but it's an unusual day for him so I'm sure he'll bounce back late in this innings and in the second innings as well."

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

Fourth Test: September 4-8, Old Trafford

Fifth Test: September 12-16, The Oval