Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey

Ashes 2019: England v Australia 2nd Test Preview Dream11 Prediction. ENG vs AUS 2nd Test Preview Dream11 Prediction 14 August 2019

It has seemed an age since Australia achieved quite the turnaround. The Home of Cricket has its second dose of Test Cricket in what has been a whirlwind English summer, and the home side will certainly be after a whirlwind turnaround to level up the Ashes series.

After England took a risk with James Anderson’s calf, Moeen Ali as their frontline spinner and an inexperienced top four bar Joe Root, they now face a fight to get back in the series. They will be up against the weather as much as their nemesis Steve Smith, but a key takeaway from this game for England will be to win as many mental battles as possible. Jofra Archer, set to make his Test debut, has warned against expecting miracles, but the loss of James Anderson and England’s predicament makes him a very important member of the side.

This is after Australia made the perfect start to their quest to win their first Ashes series in England since 2001 by overcoming their Edgbaston hoodoo dating back to the same year. Steve Smith, on his Test return, produced arguably his best performance in Australian colours to get his side back into the contest on day one and then push Australia well ahead on day four. Also, Australia were justified in leaving both Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc out (at least one will play this time), with their bowlers, led by Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins on the final day, delivering the goods.

Key to an England win

While Jofra Archer has said not to expect miracles, Justin Langer “has another thing coming” after the Australian coach warned that red-ball cricket is a lot different to the white-ball formats. Archer’s pace is an avenue to getting the better of Steve Smith, who continues to leave England wondering how to get him out. Early inroads against Australia’s uncertain openers will be key, then followed by bringing in Smith as early as possible. Chris Woakes has an outstanding record at Lord’s, and Jack Leach’s contribution as the left-arm spinner might give England another edge in their battle against Steve Smith and the Aussie lineup. With England not having the luxury of a bowling unit at Edgbaston due to Anderson’s injury, this is the time to get it right. Remember, England had Australia 122/8 in the first Test, so it is not all doom and gloom.

Also, Rory Burns should take a lot of heart from his fighting effort in the first Test. Jason Roy not so much, which puts the spotlight on him as to how he deals with pressure placed against him. The opening stand is crucial to England just as skipper Joe Root is, who must convert his starts at a better rate to put his side in stronger position. However, can the middle order build on a strong top order effort or stage a recovery if needed? Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow looked well out of touch in Edgbaston, and their contributions could be crucial in a Test where lower order runs might prove the difference.

Key to an Australia win

Steve Smith holds a huge key, but onus is on the top three to have better outings than the first Test. David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, in contrast to Smith, looked shaky in their Test returns. Usman Khawaja looked good but has the appetite for more runs. With Travis Head and Matthew Wade in the runs (albeit with a tendency to fall over to the offside), a strong top order platform sets the tone nicely, forcing seamers Stuard Broad, Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer to work hard – just as coach Justin Langer wants.

Also, much will be expected of the Australian attack after delivering victory on a dry, turning Edgbaston pitch. The track at Lord’s has a light covering of grass which will encourage the seamers against England’s top four, and whoever is selected must take advantage with consistent lines and lengths. A mix of short and full pitched bowling could be the answer against Rory Burns, along with forcing Jason Roy to make the pace against good length deliveries. With Joe Root’s LBW problem still lingering and Joe Denly’s place hanging by a thread, Australia have an opportunity to place pressure on an England middle order that did not have the best time at Edgbaston. Indeed, pressure from the seamers can bring Nathan Lyon into the game with his ability to extract extra bounce.

Pitch and conditions

The old saying of “look up, not down” at Lord’s could hold true. Quite a bit of rain is forecast across the Test, which puts a result (and batsmen) at risk. On a pitch with a light covering of grass, as well as the expectation of covers placed on it for extended periods, the bowlers might have a good say when there is play.

Possible Playing 11

Moeen Ali was dropped from England’s squad for the second Test after a tough outing at Edgbaston. Jack Leach (for Moeen) and Jofra Archer (for James Anderson) are set to come in.

England: 1. Rory Burns, 2. Jason Roy, 3. Joe Root (c), 4. Joe Denly, 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler, 7. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Stuart Broad, 11. Jack Leach

Australia have named their 12-man squad for the second Test. James Pattinson has been rested, so at least one of Mitchell Starc or Josh Hazlewood will play. It could be Hazlewood, given he had a good Lord’s Test in 2015.

Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Cameron Bancroft, 3. Usman Khawaja, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Matthew Wade, 7. Tim Paine (c & wk), 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Mitchell Starc/Josh Hazlewood, 10. Peter Siddle, 11. Nathan Lyon

Dream11 Prediction

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Stats and Facts

• Australia won by 405 runs on their last Test visit to Lord’s. Steve Smith was man of the match after scoring a double hundred.
• Steve Smith’s last nine Ashes innings vs England: 973 runs, average: 139.00.
• Chris Woakes’ bowling record at Lord’s: 4 matches, 24 wickets, average: 9.75, SR 23.71.
• Australia have won six of the last seven Ashes Test matches.

Match Prediction

Rain will have a say which makes a draw the likely result. However, there is a chance wickets could fall quickly, which could mean the toss is crucial. England to win with the home ground advantage?

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