The Ashes Preview: Australians journey to Lord’s in search of 2-0 lead

The second Test of the 2023 Ashes begins Wednesday night (8:00pm AEST) at Lord’s with Australia setting their sights on a dominant 2-0 series lead after a thrilling win at Edgbaston.

A now-famous, 55-run stand courtesy of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon willed the visitors to an unlikely, two-wicket win in hostile conditions after Usman Khawaja notched the first Test century of his career on English soil in the first innings.

Whilst the Australian batting lineup appears set, a change could be made to their attack.

Scott Boland was taken for almost six an over in the opening Test and, whilst he managed the scalp of Zak Crawley in both innings and did an exemplary job as nightwatchman in the final innings, may be omitted from the XI at Lord’s.

Pitch conditions will likely influence which pair of Boland, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc earn the nod.

The expectation prior to the series was that a quicks rotation would be deployed with Cummins the only fast bowler to be selected for all five Tests.

Starc replacing Boland appears the most likely scenario for Cummins’ squad as they aim to make the most of the pitch conditions and put pressure on the English batters.

As for England, recalled veteran Moeen Ali was hampered by a blistered spinning finger at Edgbaston but was reportedly a full participant at training earlier this week.

18-year-old legs-pinner Rehan Ahmed, who took a five-wicket haul in his first and only career Test match in Karachi in December, has been called into the squad as injury cover for Moeen.

England may also opt to vary their bowling attack with the pace of Mark Wood an attractive substitute.

Veteran Jimmy Anderson took just the one wicket in the first Test on a pitch that he described as “kryptonite”, however, is expected to retain his spot in the side.

Ollie Robinson, meanwhile, struggled to endear himself to the Australian public after giving Khawaja an expletive-laden send-off in the first innings after the Australian opener fell for 141.

Of the past five Ashes Tests at Lord’s, Australia have won two, England have won two, and the most recent meeting ended in a draw.

Australia enter the clash as slight favourites, however, bookmakers are anticipating another tight encounter between two sides with clashing philosophies.

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