The Ashes 2013 Scorecard: Most Dangerous Batsmen for England in Third Test

England find themselves cruising toward Ashes success as the third Test commences at Old Trafford, but with Australia firmly on the ropes now is the time for Alastair Cook's men to show a killer instinct.

Michael Clarke’s visitors won the toss and elected to bat first in Manchester, meaning we will not get an immediate look at England's batting lineup following confirmation that Kevin Pietersen plays.

So far in this series, and particularly in the second Test, Australia have had the look of a disorganised outfit, and England’s batsmen will look to compound their rivals' misery by sealing a 3-0 win this week.

With that in mind, let’s consider who might do the damage over the next five days.

Joe Root

Despite being 22 years of age, Joe Root is a trusted England opener for a reason and showed why with a Test-deciding display at Lord’s less than two weeks ago.

Having bagged a remarkable tally of 180 runs, the Yorkshire youngster now heads to Old Trafford with a much weightier sense of expectation around his name, and the question is whether he can handle it.

Root has been compared to former England great Michael Vaughan in terms of playing style, a likening one doesn’t receive without some justification.

Graceful in his technique and methodical in his approach, Root has the potential to decide the third Test almost single-handedly if he can once again rise to the occasion.

Ian Bell

Arguably England’s most consistent batsman of the 2013 Ashes thus far, Ian Bell is yet to fail in hitting a Test century in this series.

Moreover, Star Sports' Twitter account has pointed out an interesting stat about the veteran:

Joining an elite club in the process, a score of 109 at Lord’s saw Bell hit a third consecutive Ashes Test century, helping England into a healthy winning position in the process.

Placed in the middle of the batting order with the aim of fielding some consistency, the 31-year-old, per The Guardian’s Donald McRae, says he “isn’t afraid to dwell on past failings,” showing an unsurprising maturity to the Warwickshire man’s game.

Stuart Broad

At the centre of some controversy at Nottingham for his decision not to walk in the first Test, Stuart Broad is still looking to produce his finest cricket.

Although not an out-and-out batsman, in his last two Tests the 27-year-old added over 100 runs to his side’s cause, but may just need to open up that extra element of risk if he is to emulate his best of 169 against Pakistan in 2010.