England couldn’t make the most of reducing Australia to 122/8 as Steve Smith proved to be a thorn in the host’s side.
Smith top-scored in both innings of the First Test, powering Australia to a big win with the help of some good bowling and some ordinary batting from England. The Lord’s Test will let us know if England have the makings of a side that can regain the Ashes.
The Ashes – Second Test | 14-18 August 2019| Lord’s, London | 12:00
To Win MatchEngland 18/10
Draw 22/10
Australia 15/10
England
The loss of Jimmy Anderson turned the game for England and his replacement Jofra Archer will need to have an immediate impact to help the home side bounce back in their bid to reclaim the Urn.
England are willing to sacrifice batting depth in order to bring Jack Leach in as spin-bowling option with Moeen Ali making way. Moeen’s modest return of 3-172 with the ball and four runs with the bat see him axed in favour of the man who spared England blushes against Ireland.
Selectors have kept faith with a batting unit that suffered grave failures in the 251-run defeat at Edgbaston. Rory Burns secured his spot for the time being with a superb century but there was little else from the top order.
For Joe Denly time to prove himself is almost certainly running out after twin failures in Birmingham.
As a group, England need to find an immediate response to take back control of the series and dent the growing Australian confidence.
Australia
Steve Smith shouldered enormous responsibility in the first innings and keeping his purple patch going will be central to Australia’s hopes. Smith shores up an otherwise brittle Australian middle order and he bats very well with the tail when necessary.
Cameron Bancroft and David Warner resumed their partnership in stunted fashion with both failing to make much of an impression in short stays at the crease.
Pat Cummins strengthened his hold on the number one spot on the Test bowling rankings but will need to come to terms with the infamous Lord’s slope in his first Test at the venue.
Cummins and Nathan Lyon seemed to have the England batsman in thrall for the latter half of the first Test and the pair shared all ten fourth innings wickets. Australia have plenty of firepower but those two are in particularly fine form.
Matthew Wade returned to the side as a specialist batsman in the first Test and marked the occasion with a second innings hundred. There is no suggestion that he could take the gloves again any time soon.
Verdict: Australia
Australia are a confidence team and they are riding high right now, expect a special Lord’s performance.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets.
