We are only one Ashes Test profound this summer, and England are already staring down the barrel: Australia look more powerful in all sections, and should Joe Root’s men succumb to the older foe in Lord’s–a ground where they have constantly fought –they can kiss the urn goodbye.
The Edgbaston Test was a stressing wake-up telephone; England were inoculated together using the ball (especially in the spinning department) and outperformed by Australia’s allegedly shaky top-order.
England have just 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, conquer Australia and claw themselves back to the string, it’s looking as the weather is going to have the last laugh.
Wednesday (the opening day) looks like a total washout, as does Saturday, while Friday’s forecast is hit-and-miss in the best. Needless to say, I have no doubt England are capable of losing to Australia in 2 days (just consider how they achieved against Ireland for big components of that suit ), but considering the quantity of rain prediction, it’s tough to pass up 16/11 on a draw.
Just two of Root’s matches as England skipper have finished in draws–emphasizing the cut-and-thrust nature of this present aspect –but I’d expect to find a different come Sunday.
My first player-based tip will be for Mitchell Starc to be high Australian bowler in their innings.
Starc was not picked for the very first Test–a good move considering the result–but the Aussies are looking to adopt a horses-for-courses strategy this collection, meaning Starc’s selection for this game is really a no-brainer.
In little over 54 overs bowled at the Home of Cricket in most formats, even the Aussie left-armer has promised 12 scalps; Starc is a master exponent of the Lord’s slope, bringing the ball to right-handed batsmen seeking to trap them LBW, also contemplating five of England’s best seven right-handers, this tip has plenty 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 monstrous 3/1, I’ve Chris Woakes as top England bowler.
There is 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.
Conditions will probably prefer the seamers, so of course Stuart Broad is a huge player in this marketplace (90 wickets @27.22 at Lord’s) while Jofra Archer would be the ultimate wildcard, however 3/1 is far too big a cost for Woakes in this second Test.
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