England couldn’t secure a final day win that they probably deserved, on the balance of play, in the second Test at Lord’s but they may have turned the tide of the series.
Steve Smith looks likely to miss the Third Test at Headingley after copping a nasty blow on the back of the head from a Jofra Archer bouncer.
The Ashes – Second Test | Thursday 22 – Monday 26 August 2019 | Headingley, Leeds | 12:00
To Win
England 19/20
Tie 9/2
Australia 16/10
England
The rain delays earlier in the Lord’s Test robbed England of the chance to level the series at Lord’s but the knock to Smith worked in the host’s favour. Smith had been the difference between the two sides.
Bringing in Archer and Jack Leach has given the England attack a cutting edge that had been absent in the first Test when James Anderson limped off after just four overs. Archer was not put off by the injury he inflicted on Smith, even knocking Test cricket’s first concussion substitute, Marnus Labuschagne, onto his back with a vicious short ball. Archer could cause Australia serious problems at Headingley.
Ben Stokes century was a huge boost to an England middle order that has been struggling for runs, Rory Burns has been the man among the top four that has looked in the best touch. England’s lower order has bailed them out a few times but the hosts could gain an edge if their specialist batsmen fire.
In recent times the Headingley wicket has played inconsistently and has been challenging to bat on while also taking a lot out of the bowlers.
Australia
Smith was hopeful of playing in the Headingley Test but with just three days between matches, he might be disappointed. Australia could definitely use Smith, who has kept Australia in charge of the series almost single-handedly.
Australia’s openers have both struggled in difficult conditions while copping similar crowd treatment as Smith. David Warner and Cameron Bancroft have each wracked up four failures so far this series. Warner had been red-hot at the World Cup but Bancroft’s inclusion caused some debate given his lack of cricket coming off his ban.
The quick bowlers have been the match of their counterparts but Australia are looking for an opportunity to rest Pat Cummins and the Leeds Test just might be it. Cummins has taken on a huge workload and Australia don’t want him to sustain another bad injury.
Labuschagne probably did enough to earn himself a spot in the XI with his second-innings fifty in challenging circumstances. Like Smith, he can also send down some leg-spin.
Verdict: England 19/20
England should make the momentum shift pay and level the series.
