Ashes 2019 2nd Test, England vs Australia Day 2 preview: Focus on pace in four-day Test

As in 2018 in the Test against India, the first day’s play at Lord’s was washed out completely. The all-important toss will take place today, and there is little doubt that the winning side will opt to field. England had bowled out India for 107 in 35.2 overs last year once they won the toss, a rout from which India never recovered. England themselves were undone by Tim Murtagh on a damp pitch earlier this summer.

There is also a chance that both sides will want to draft in the extra seamer: not only will the conditions assist seamers, the pitch will not wear down sufficiently in the fourth innings. Mind you, more rain is predicted during the course of the Test.

Despite that, Australia are still likely to stick to Nathan Lyon, though they may consider bringing in Mitchell Marsh or Michael Neser for one of the batsmen – though that seems unlikely at this point.

England, on the other hand, have left out Moeen Ali. Jack Leach would have been the ideal replacement, but given the current scenario, they may go in with an all-pace attack. Spearheading the attack will be Jofra Archer, whose almost certain Test debut has been delayed by a day despite the “capping” ceremony, where Chris Jordan did the honours.

All in all, Australia are favourites, more so given their excellent record at Lord’s, but only slightly.

Key players

Jofra Archer (England): Archer has announced that he wants a place on the Lord’s honours board, and there is little doubt that he will go flat out in pursuit. England had lacked an out-and-out fast bowler at Edgbaston; he will fill that gap.

Steven Smith (Australia): Twin hundreds at Edgbaston. Double-hundred in his last appearance at Lord’s, four years ago. A batting average in excess of sixty. What can go wrong?

Likely XIs

England: Rory Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Root (c), Joe Denly, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer

Australia: Cameron Bancroft, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (c/wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon

Prediction

Whoever wins the toss will hold advantage.