We’re just one Ashes Evaluation profound this summer, and England are staring down the barrelAustralia seem more powerful in most departments, and if Joe Root’s guys succumb to the older foe in Lord’s–a floor where they have constantly fought –then they can kiss the urn goodbye.
The Edgbaston Test was a stressing wake-up telephone; England were outperformed with the ball (particularly from the rotation section ) and outperformed by Australia’s supposedly shaky top-order.
England have only beaten Australia double at Lord’s in Test matches because 1934, and although I’d love to dive right into why England can withstand history, beat Australia and claw themselves back to the string, it is looking like the weather will have the last laugh.
Wednesday (the opening day) resembles a complete washout, as does Saturday, while Friday’s prediction is hit-and-miss in the best. Needless to say, I don’t have any doubt England are capable of dropping Australia in 2 weeks (just look at the way they achieved against Ireland for large parts of the game ), but considering the amount of rain prediction, it is tough to pass up 16/11 to a draw.
Two of Root’s games as England skipper have finished in draws–emphasizing the cut-and-thrust character of this current side–but I would expect to see a different come Sunday.
My very first player-based suggestion will be for Mitchell Starc to be high Australian bowler in their innings.
Starc wasn’t chosen for the very first Test–a great move taking into consideration the outcome –but the Aussies are still seeking to adopt a horses-for-courses approach this show, meaning Starc’s choice for this game 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 claimed 12 scalps; Starc is a master exponent of their Lord’s slope, bringing the ball into right-handed batsmen looking to snare them LBW, also contemplating five of England’s top seven right-handers, that suggestion has lots of promise.
Even 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 monstrous 3/1, I have Chris Woakes as best England bowler.
There’s one simple reason behind this: Woakes has taken 24 Test wickets at Lord’s at an average of 9.75. Those amounts are absolutely sensational.
Conditions will likely favour the seamers, so of course Stuart Broad is a huge player in this marketplace (90 wickets @27.22 at Lord’s) although Jofra Archer could be the greatest wildcard, however 3/1 is much too big a cost for Woakes in this second Test.
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