It might feel like the Ashes is being dominated by one man, after Ben Stokes' innings for the ages to square the series last time out.
But he is not the only one who will be vying for the headlines as the sides are reacquainted at Old Trafford when the fourth Test starts on Wednesday.
There are a number of subplots which could go a long way to deciding where the urn ends up.
Jofra Archer v Steve Smith
Top of the bill, the headline bout, the prize fight.
Borrowing from boxing parlance might seem a little crass, given Smith has been absent with concussion brought about by a blow from Archer at Lord’s.
But there is no doubt much of the intrigue in this battle comes from bloodlust.
England have never really had a failsafe place as to how to get Smith out. Not this summer, not ever.
Then came the arrival of Archer, sending down 96mph rockets on Test debut, and suddenly England were a threat.
Bodyline was a plan initially hatched to thwart Donald Bradman – the one player in Test cricket history with a better batting average that Smith.
On the pitch generally regarded as the friendliest for pace bowlers on England’s Test circuit, Archer, too, will likely target bones only a little less frequently than stumps.
Ben Stokes v Nathan Lyon
It is unarguable that Australia’s off-spinner brought upon himself much of the opprobrium that followed the final throes of the Headingley defeat.
He was widely lampooned for his missed run out of Jack Leach in the thrilling finale last time out – a moment that has already earned mention in a line of a new ditty penned by England's Barmy Army.
It bears pointing out, though, that the series remains 1-1 with two to play. Lyon could yet laugh last.
The remaining Tests are being played at grounds that will likely aid his off-spin.
Slow bowlers generally appreciate the bounce offered at Old Trafford, in particular. In the most recent Test match played in Manchester, in 2017, Moeen Ali was man of the match after leading England to a win over South Africa with his off-breaks.
The challenge will likely be toughest for left-handers, meaning Stokes will have to summon the spirit of Headingley to combat the threat again.
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England v Australia third Ashes Test player ratings
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ENGLAND PLAYER RATINGS Rory Burns, 2 (out of 10) - Still just about in credit across the series, but two failures here showed he has to find more solutions if he is to really crack Test cricket. Reuters -
Jason Roy, 1 - Often seemed to be sledging the Australian batsmen. Which is bold from someone with 57 runs across six inning in the series, with two more failures here. Reuters -
Joe Root, 8 - No runs and just three balls faced between the second innings at Lord’s at the first at Headingley, then a leader’s effort in the second to give England a chance. Reuters -
Joe Denly, 7 - Top scored in England’s first innings with, erm, 12. But his plucky second-innings 50 suggested he could have the goods for this level after all. Reuters -
Ben Stokes, 10 - The greatest Test innings ever played? A little distance is needed for proper perspective on that, but factor in his heroic bowling, too, and he is quite the superstar. Reuters -
Jonny Bairstow, 7 - His second innings 36 was neither big nor matchwinning, but it was a counter-punch that infused England with belief. AFP -
Jos Buttler, 2 - Sawn off by Stokes with a mix up between the wickets when the stage had felt set for them to repeat their World Cup final form, and he remains run shy. AFP -
Chris Woakes (right), 4 - Culpable with the ball as England let Australia off the hook on Day 1, and they could have done with more from him with the bat on the fourth afternoon, too. AFP -
Jofra Archer, 8 - Stole a beach ball back from a steward and chucked it back to the revellers on the Western Terrace. Because he wasn’t enough of a hero already. Reuters -
Stuart Broad, 8 - The box office hits of Stokes and Archer have overshadowed a fine body of work by Broad in this Ashes so far. He was impeccable with the ball at Headingley. AFP -
Jack Leach, 7 - The best one not out he will ever make in his life, he reckons. It gave him a part share in the second highest 10th-wicket stand to win a Test. AFP -
AUSTRALIA PLAYER RATINGS David Warner, 6 - Rode his luck to make his first notable score of the series in the first innings, but he was back in the mire straight away second time around. AFP -
Marcus Harris, 3 - His returns were Cameron Bancroft-like: eight in the first innings, 19 second time round. So Australia’s problems at the top persist AFP -
Usman Khawaja, 4 - He is a shadow of the player who scored an epic century in Dubai against Pakistan last winter, with two more negligible efforts in Leeds. Reuters -
Marnus Labuschagne, 9 - Given the passable impression he has done of the master batsman since replacing him, he might as well be called “Labu-Smith”. It is easier to pronounce than Labuschagne, anyway. Reuters -
Travis Head, 4 - A duck first time around, then 25 in the second innings – but, to be fair to the left-hander, each ball was a peach that dismissed him. Reuters -
Matthew Wade, 5 - The century at Edgbaston apart, he has struggled to bring his domestic form with him on his Test return. He made nought and 33. Reuters -
Tim Paine, 0 - Two more batting failures. A review burnt in desperation, an over before it was really needed. And England scored 362 for nine in the fourth innings on his watch. Horror stuff. Reuters -
James Pattinson, 7 - He was not flattered by match figures of three for 58 as he was a threat throughout, on the ground where his brother played a single Test for England 11 years earlier. Reuters -
Pat Cummins, 7 - Outstanding in the first innings as Australia destroyed England’s top order, but he flagged when the game was there to be won second time around. Reuters -
Nathan Lyon, 4 - He bowled better than match figures of two for 115 suggest, but the botched run out of Leach with England requiring two to win might haunt him forever. Reuters -
Josh Hazlewood, 9 - Even this colossus could not stop Stokes, who took him for 19 in one vital over near the end. Other than that, Hazlewood was magnificent. Reuters
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Jason Roy v Josh Hazlewood
Everyone thought Jason Roy was ill-suited to opening in Tests. Yet still they persisted.
“Personally, I think Jason probably is suited to the middle order,” Trevor Bayliss, the England coach, said ahead of the third Test at Headingley – before promptly packing him off to face the new ball straight away again anyway.
Even the opposition were trying to provide a few friendly(ish) pointers before a ball had been bowled.
“It's hard to bat five at a level below and then open in Test cricket,” Josh Hazlewood, the Australia seamer, said in relation to Roy before the series had even started. “We'll see.”
So, after scores of 9, 8, 0, 2, 10 and 28 in the series to date, the penny has finally dropped. England have swapped Roy and Joe Denly, meaning Roy will be given a chance in the middle order in Manchester.
Either way, he will still likely be confronted by Hazlewood, who took his wicket at both Lord’s and at Headingley.
The idea is that he might fare a little better if England’s top order can at least take some of the shine from the ball before he gets there.
Stuart Broad v David Warner
Given the impact of Archer and Stokes on the England side, Broad has been able to go about his work largely out of the limelight in this series.
It has suited him. A player who, it had been whispered, might be struggling to retain his place in the XI, if everyone were fit, has instead excelled.
He has taken 14 wickets, the most by an Englishman and second only to Pat Cummins, who has 17 in the series, overall.
No-one has been his bunny to quite the extent of Warner. Broad has dismissed the left-hander four times in six innings so far, for scores of 2, 8, 3 and 0.
Warner might be anticipating conditions slightly more in his favour in Manchester, where pitches are generally harder and faster – and thus more similar to Australia.
But with gloomy weather expected for much of the week, he might find his travails continuing.
