Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Australia’s possible playing XI for Lord’s Test | Will Mitchell Starc play in the 2nd Ashes Test?
Australia prevailed in one of the great Ashes Test matches at Edgbaston. Now, attention turns to Lord’s, where Australia, with a victory, will take a huge step towards retaining the coveted Ashes urn.
However, there is a key question to answer from an Australian perspective: Will Mitchell Starc be brought back into the playing XI? The left-arm quick was left out in favour of both Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland, with the latter struggling for impact on a slow Edgbaston surface.
Ashes 2023 2nd Test: Australia’s possible playing XI for Lord’s Test
1. Usman Khawaja, 2. David Warner, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Cameron Green, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood
Australia’s top seven looks settled. David Warner, whose place was under the brightest spotlight, contributed to the cause at Edgbaston in a 61-run stand for the opening wicket in the chase of 281. The opener looked as good as he has in England in recent trips, so the visitors will be hoping he can build on it.
The big question for Australia is the make up of the bowling attack. Ultimately, it could depend on the conditions. The think tank preferred the consistency of Hazlewood and Boland at Edgbaston, but one feels Starc could return after the latter went for nearly six an over. Also, Starc provides important batting depth and the Lord’s slope could assist his left-arm angle.
However, if the Lord’s pitch assists seam bowling, it will be interesting to see which way Australia go.
“We’d seen the way they go about it, they are ultra-aggressive,” Australia coach Andrew McDonald said. “But I think Scott Boland, that match-up probably surprised us how aggressive they were against Scott. So that’s something we can look at and find better ways through.”
Also, one thing to keep an eye on is Josh Hazlewood’s fitness. He bowled just ten overs in England’s second innings. If he does have a niggle, expect Australia to go with Starc and Boland along with Pat Cummins and Cameron Green to form the pace attack.
ALSO READ: Check out CricBlog’s Ashes 2023 coverage:
- 6 reasons why Australia won the first Test
- “Cumball” does the rounds in hilarious Twitter trend
- Australia achieve one of the top run chases at Edgbaston
