The second Ashes 2023 Test kick-started on Wednesday at the iconic Lord’s venue with England captain Ben Stokes winning the toss and electing to bowl first, citing overcast conditions and greenery on the Lord’s pitch.
Both England and Australia have made one change to their line-ups. England dropped off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali for fast bowler Josh Tongue while Australia bring back Mitchell Starc for Scott Boland.
Teams making changes to their playing XI after winning the first Test of a series is uncommon. Despite winning the first Test match at Edgbaston, though by a small margin and they could have lost it if not for the phenomenal 9th wicket stand between skipper Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, Australia have made a change in their bowling attack.
They have shifted from the metronomic Scott Boland and brought back the veteran left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc, who does have a tendency to be expensive.
So why did Australia drop Scott Boland and replace him with Mitchell Starch for Lord’s Test?
Scott Boland was leaked runs at a high rate in Edgbaston and was hit out of the attack by the English batters, and hence Australia have brought back Mitchell Starc as a more threatening option with his high pace.
After having a sensational start to his Test career, Scott Boland had his first bad game at Edgbaston, where he returned with figures of 1/86 and 1/61 and conceded at an economy of 5.56 runs per over. This is Scott Boland’s worst economy rate in his entire 97 matches first-class career where he’s bowled at least 20 overs in a game.
Mitchell Starc had played in the WTC Final against India, and although he went for runs, he prized some big scalps, including Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. He, however, missed out from the Edgbaston Test as Josh Hazlewood was fit and returned to the side and Australia retained Boland after his terrific show against India.
Teams:
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins(c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jonny Bairstow(w), Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, James Anderson
