The Ashes 2013: Players Under Most Pressure to Perform in 4th Test

The Test match arena is the ultimate challenge for professional cricketers.

It’s the stage where frailties are highlighted, techniques are fully exposed, and—especially in a long series—there’s simply no place to hide.

Although the Ashes are now retained, the pressure remains on both England and Australia to produce their best over the remaining two Tests.

Any wavering concentration can result in a poor score or a lacklustre spell, which can quickly put an individual under heavy scrutiny.

Here's a look at the players most in need of form at this stage of the series.

Usman Khawaja

Australia have had a tough time filling their No. 3 spot since Ricky Ponting's retirement. Ed Cowan appeared short of Test match quality at Trent Bridge, giving Usman Khawaja another chance to prove himself.

The 26-year-old managed a slow half-century in his second innings at Lord's but failed to pass 25 in his other three knocks.

He currently averages just a shade over 23 for the series, and his Test match average has now slipped the wrong side of 30.

Khawaja's strike rate of 41.33 is also one of the lowest among front-line batsmen, highlighting his struggle to locate any fluency. A pair of low scores at Chester-le-Street could see the visitors turn elsewhere for the final Test.

Jonathan Trott

After a long run of consistent innings, Jonathan Trott has seen his runs dry up this series.

In three Tests he's accumulated just 122, which is the fewest among England's top six, and in his last three innings he's managed just 16 runs.

Matt Prior is in a similar position, having made just 69 runs this series, but Trott has greater responsibility on him to get England off to a good start.

His impressive record suggests this is merely a blip, but he will be desperate to make a telling impact before the end of the series.

Nathan Lyon

After being axed at the start of the series for the little-known qualities of Ashton Agar, Nathan Lyon returned to Australia's lineup for the third Test at Old Trafford.

Despite a promising start, his bowling looked increasingly innocuous as the Test progressed, and by the end of play his one sole wicket cost him 103 runs.

His struggles in Manchester, combined with Durham's seamer-friendly surface, mean Lyon is already struggling for selection in this fourth Test.

If he does keep his place, he will need wickets to make the fifth.

Stuart Broad

Stuart Broad has enjoyed one of his best returns with the bat for a long time. He currently averages above 38 and has scored more runs than both Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott this series.

However, it's with the ball that England require the more significant contribution from Broad.

Six wickets at a cost of 52 runs is a poor return, especially in a series where the ball has often dominated the bat.

Considering every other seam bowler at Old Trafford averages under 30 this series, Broad has some work to do at Chester-le-Street.