We’re just one Ashes Test profound this summer, and England are 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 always fought –then they can kiss the urn goodbye.
Even the Edgbaston Test was a worrying wake-up call; England were outperformed with the ball (especially in the turning section ) and outperformed by Australia’s allegedly shaky top-order.
England have only beaten Australia double in Lord’s in Test matches as 1934, and although I would love to dive into why England can defy history, beat Australia and claw themselves back to the series, it is looking as though the weather is going to have the last laugh.
Wednesday (the launching day) looks like a complete washout, since does Saturday, while Friday’s forecast is hit-and-miss in the best. Obviously, I don’t have any doubt England are capable of losing to Australia in two weeks (just look at the way they performed against Ireland for big components of that suit ), but considering the amount of rain prediction, it’s hard to pass up 16/11 on a draw.
Just two of Root’s matches as England skipper have ended in draws–emphasizing the cut-and-thrust character of this present aspect –but I’d expect to find another come Sunday.
My very first player-based tip is for Mitchell Starc to be high Australian bowler in their innings.
Starc was not chosen for the first Test–a good move taking into consideration the outcome –although the Aussies are still seeking to adopt a horses-for-courses strategy this collection, 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, the Aussie left-armer has promised 12 scalps; Starc is a master exponent of the Lord’s incline, bringing the ball into right-handed batsmen seeking to snare them LBW, and considering five of England’s top seven right-handers, that suggestion has lots of promise.
The 29-year-old ran riot against England at Lord’s at the World Cup, and I can envisage a similar situation this time around.
Priced at a gigantic 3/1, I’ve Chris Woakes as top England bowler.
There is one simple reason behind this: Woakes has obtained 24 Exam wickets at Lord’s in an average of 9.75. Those figures are absolutely sensational.
Conditions will likely prefer the seamers, so obviously Stuart Broad is a big player in this marketplace (90 wickets @27.22 in Lord’s) although Jofra Archer could be the best wildcard, but 3/1 is far too large a cost for Woakes in this second Assessment.
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