After a convincing win at Manchester, England would want dominate visitors Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham starting from Wednesday (August 3). On the other hand, Pakistan would want to regroup and bounce back. With the four-match Test series evenly poised at 1-1, no team can take the other for granted.

Pakistan’s poor batting was the reason of their downfall in the second game. Apart from their captain Misbah-ul-Haq, none of the other batsmen has shown consistency. Shan Masood has failed to fire up the order, while their experienced duo Younis Khan and Mohammad Hafeez haven’t been able to live up the expectations.

Yasir Shah, who broke many records in the famous Lords Test win could not replicate his performance at Manchester. With the Edgbaston pitch being a spinner-friendly pitch, it would be interesting to see what magic can Yasir Shah create.   

On the other hand , England have only one batting issue that is Alastair Cook’s partner at top of the order -- Alex Hales, who has been kept calm by the Pakistanis bowlers in the four inning that he has played so far. With captain Cook and Joe Root in brilliant form, the likes of Gary Balance , James Vince  and Jonny Bairstow doing their part , the batting looks more settled .
Chris Woakes has lead the bowling spree with 18 wickets and 116 runs in the two Tests concluded. And with Anderson returning, it would be interesting to see if Pakistani batsman have any answer to England’s bowling attack.

At the venue, history backs the hosts. England have lost just one game at Edgbaston in the last 14 years, while Pakistan's solo Test appearance at the ground, in 2010, resulted in a nine-wicket loss.

England would be forced to make one change with Ben Stokes being ruled out with calf injury. And Shan Masood likely to be replaced by Sami Alsam.  

The pitch traditionally favouring the slower bowlers and the weather forecast for the entire duration of the match it would be interesting to see which team takes the lead in the series .