Video - Anderson 'Excited' About Third Test

England fast bowler James Anderson says he is 'excited' about the prospect of playing the third Ashes Test at his home ground of Old Trafford.

It will be his first Ashes Test at Old Trafford and he recalls watching in 2005 when a tight match was eventually drawn.

With England 2-0, he also stresses that the team are trying to maintain their focus and not get too ahead of themselves amid some talk of potential 5-0 scorelines.

He adds that young players including Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, who are new to the team, are thriving on the atmosphere generated by the 2013 Ashes series.

Video courtesy of SNTV

© Cricket World 2013

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Warner available for third Test

Venue: Emirates Old Trafford, ManchesterDate: 1-5 AugustStart time: 11:00 BSTCoverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave and via the BBC iPlayer Radio app, BBC Sport website & BBC Sport app. Live text commentary on BBC Sport website, app & mobile devices

Batsman David Warner will rejoin the Australia squad on Monday and be available for the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford, starting on Thursday.

With Australia's top order struggling for runs in the first two Tests, Warner, 26, is likely to be recalled.

Last month, Warner was suspended for punching English batsman Joe Root in a bar   following a Champions Trophy game.

He joined the Australia A tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa, scoring 193 against South Africa A in Pretoria.

But the left-hander was involved in a verbal altercation with opponent Thami Tsolekile on Saturday that caused the umpire to halt the game.

"A kid from the back blocks with a strong personality, Warner is outgoing, likes talking to people and always has an opinion. He is popular with his team-mates and respected in the dressing room. He has that lively and nocturnal side to his personality. But he is 26 now, and off the field he needs to change."

No Australian batsman scored a century in the first two Ashes Tests, both won by England.

Opener Chris Rogers has made only 89 runs in four Test innings, while Phillip Hughes has made 83, including scores of 0, 1 and 1.

Usman Khawaja replaced Ed Cowan for the second Test at Lord's and scored 54 in his side's second innings. Cowan then made 66 and an unbeaten 77 against Sussex in a tour match that finished on Sunday.

Asked whether Cowan's displays against Sussex improved his chances of a recall, Australia coach Darren Lehmann told BBC Sport: "Yeah, it does. He batted really well both innings.

"We'd love him to get a big hundred and really put pressure on, but it does his chances good."

Lehmann added he was confident the team's plans to combat England spinner Graeme Swann were sound, despite Swann taking 13 Australian wickets so far in the series.

"Swann's bowled OK, but we haven't played him very well," said Lehmann, whose side must win at Old Trafford to keep alive their hopes of reclaiming the Ashes. "We've just got to believe in the plans and the blokes have got to execute them."

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Pietersen doubtful for third Test

England batting coach Graham Gooch admits the injured Kevin Pietersen may miss the third Ashes Test as well as the remainder of the second.

Pietersen had a scan on Saturday which revealed he has a left calf strain, and will not take the field as England look to go 2-0 up in the series at Lords.

Gooch said: "Kevin has got a small strain in his calf and there's a doubt over his selection for the next Test.

"James Taylor's having a good year. The selectors will look at the options."

Nottinghamshire's Taylor, 23, played two Tests against South Africa last year, scoring 48 runs in three innings.

Nottinghamshire's James Taylor could replace Kevin Pietersen for the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford

This season he has scored 824 runs in 15 Championship innings at an average of 58, with two centuries and four fifties, and a best of 204 not out against Sussex in June.

Gooch told the BBC's Test Match Special: "They also have to look at the conditions at Old Trafford. Once you decide what the pitch is like you decide who the replacement will be.

"Spinners are flourishing in this sort of weather so I think once you decide what the pitch is going to be like you'll decide who the replacement will be if Kevin is not fit, but there are plenty of good young batsmen around."

Pietersen suffered the injury while fielding in Australia's first innings on Friday and looked uncomfortable when he went out to bat later in the day.

He made only five runs before reaching away from his body and hitting bowler Peter Siddle to point.

It is only Pietersen's second Test since recovering from a knee problem that forced him to return early from the New Zealand tour in March.

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