We’re just one Ashes Test deep this summer, and England are already staring down the barrel: Australia seem more powerful in all departments, and if Joe Root’s men succumb to the older foe in Lord’s–a floor where they have constantly struggled–they could kiss the urn goodbye.
The Edgbaston Test was a stressing wake-up telephone; England were outperformed with the ball (especially in the turning department) and outperformed by Australia’s allegedly shaky top-order.
England have only beaten Australia double Lord’s in Test matches since 1934, and although I would really like to dive right into why England can defy history, conquer Australia and claw themselves back into the show, it is looking like the weather is going to have the last laugh.
Wednesday (the opening day) resembles a whole washout, since does Saturday, although Friday’s forecast is hit-and-miss at best. Of course, I have no doubt England are capable of losing to Australia in two days (just look at the way they performed against Ireland for big pieces of that game ), but considering the amount of rain prediction, it’s hard to pass up 16/11 to a draw.
Just two of Root’s matches as England skipper have ended in draws–emphasizing the cut-and-thrust nature of the present side–but I would expect to see a different come Sunday.
My initial player-based suggestion is for Mitchell Starc to be top Australian bowler in their innings.
Starc wasn’t selected for the very first Test–a good move considering the result–although the Aussies are looking to adopt a horses-for-courses strategy this show, meaning Starc’s selection for this match is really a no-brainer.
In little over 54 overs bowled at the Home of Cricket in all formats, even the Aussie left-armer has promised 12 scalps; Starc is a master exponent of their Lord’s pitch, bringing the ball into right-handed batsmen seeking to snare them LBW, and considering five of England’s best seven right-handers, that suggestion has plenty of promise.
The 29-year-old ran riot against England at Lord’s in the World Cup, and that I can envisage a similar situation this time around.
Priced in a gigantic 3/1, I’ve Chris Woakes as high England bowler.
There’s one simple reason behind this: Woakes has taken 24 Exam wickets at Lord’s at an average of 9.75. Those amounts are absolutely sensational.
Requirements will likely favour the seamers, therefore obviously Stuart Broad is a big player in this market (90 wickets @27.22 at Lord’s) while Jofra Archer would be the best wildcard, but 3/1 is far too large a price for Woakes inside this second Test.
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