Second Ashes Test, Lords

[FrediKanoute]

Right, after turning Fortress Edgebaston into a Lyon's Den, the action moves to Lords, the home of cricket.

Typically the Aussies record here is pretty good, but a new groundsman has been making this more of a seaming wicket than the batting paradise it usually is. Weather in London has been unsettled. Bit of rain about and I think the test will be rain affected, especially on day 2 and 3.

England have already dropped Moeen Ali and Anderson is out for Archer.

Australia are tempted to go in with an unchanged side, though I suspect they may swing a late bowling change depending on the pitch, possibly Pattison for Hazelwood.

[lemmon]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Great writeup, thanks Fredi.

Agree that they'll want to find a place in the side for Hazelwood. I suspect it may be for Siddle, but it's a tough call.

Probably last chance saloon for Bancroft too. I'd suggest he needs at least a half ton to keep his spot over Harris.

[Happy Days]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

I've read Hazlewood for Pattinson, but that would give our attack a sameness that I'm not too confident in. Pattinson/Starc and Hazlewood/Siddle should be competing for separate places.

[GVGjr]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Great writeup, thanks Fredi.

Agree that they'll want to find a place in the side for Hazelwood. I suspect it may be for Siddle, but it's a tough call.

Probably last chance saloon for Bancroft too. I'd suggest he needs at least a half ton to keep his spot over Harris.

I was listening to Kerry O'Keeffe the other day who mentioned that they really want Bancroft in the side because the added bonus is his bat pad fielding especially to Lyon. He tended to think we have struggled in that area while Bancroft was suspended

[whythelongface]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

I was listening to Kerry O'Keeffe the other day who mentioned that they really want Bancroft in the side because the added bonus is his bat pad fielding especially to Lyon. He tended to think we have struggled in that area while Bancroft was suspended

Interesting observation. Would have thought the right/ left handed combination would be a factor as well. Personally think that Harris should get the gig as he has done ok as an opener to date. Not sure of his record in England though.

[GVGjr]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Interesting observation. Would have thought the right/ left handed combination would be a factor as well. Personally think that Harris should get the gig as he has done ok as an opener to date. Not sure of his record in England though.

The other theory is that the next time we tour the sub continent then Labuschagne also comes into the mix because he is also an excellent close in fieldsman as awell as being a hand spin bowling option.
Twodogs has been banging about the importanance of fielding standards and especially close in fieldsman including those in the slips for years. I think it's now in the selectors considerations

[Twodogs]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

The other theory is that the next time we tour the sub continent then Labuschagne also comes into the mix because he is also an excellent close in fieldsman as awell as being a hand spin bowling option.
Twodogs has been banging about the importanance of fielding standards and especially close in fieldsman including those in the slips for years. I think it's now in the selectors considerations

Indeed I have. A dropped catch or misfield has a run penalty that the batsmen then have to make up for. If you drop a catch when a batsman is on 15 and he makes a 100 then that's 85 runs you owe the team even before you go into credit.

[Bornadog]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Pattinson out, Starc and Hazlewood into the 12.

[Axe Man]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Pattinson out, Starc and Hazlewood into the 12.

Hopefully they are just being super cautious with James and we will see him again in the next test.

Surely it has to be Starc? I'm not sure I want to see Hazlewood and Siddle in the same bowling attack.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

ext teHopefully they are just being super cautious with James and we will see him again in the nst.

Surely it has to be Starc? I'm not sure I want to see Hazlewood and Siddle in the same bowling attack.

That is the thinking. Headingly is next and it starts 3 days after the Lords test finishes.

The problem with Starc is he bleeds runs and when the ball gets old is a liability. The whole strategy is about slowing the English scoring rate rather than chasing wickets. With the English batting line up having Roy, Buttler, Stokes, Bairstow in the top 7, none of these guys are going to be content to let the ball go. Hence by denying them runs you frustrate the out. It then doesn't matter of |Root scores runs, because the others will be gone cheaply. Starc simply doesn't fit into that strategy.

a good example was Rory Burns on day 3. He took 90 minutes to get out and moved his overnight score from 125 to 132. His hundred was so slow it didn't hurt significantly Australia. I would be happy for him to make a ton at a strike rate of .35 every test match, because it simply bats England out of the game.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Also, raining here in London. Looks like a wet miserable day so I suspect there will be very little play whcih is a bummer sime I am heading to Lords......Oh well a day of drinking!

[Ozza]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

My old man is headed to all 5 days.....hopefully he sees some cricket!

[Axe Man]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

That is the thinking. Headingly is next and it starts 3 days after the Lords test finishes.

The problem with Starc is he bleeds runs and when the ball gets old is a liability. The whole strategy is about slowing the English scoring rate rather than chasing wickets. With the English batting line up having Roy, Buttler, Stokes, Bairstow in the top 7, none of these guys are going to be content to let the ball go. Hence by denying them runs you frustrate the out. It then doesn't matter of |Root scores runs, because the others will be gone cheaply. Starc simply doesn't fit into that strategy.

a good example was Rory Burns on day 3. He took 90 minutes to get out and moved his overnight score from 125 to 132. His hundred was so slow it didn't hurt significantly Australia. I would be happy for him to make a ton at a strike rate of .35 every test match, because it simply bats England out of the game.

Looks like you were spot on Fredi with Langer confirming Hazlewood to play over Starc due to his greater control. Has also said that Pattinson will almost certainly play in the third test so it may be difficult for Starc to get back in at all if the others bowl well and stay fit.

Hopefully the rain stays away now.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Looks like you were spot on Fredi with Langer confirming Hazlewood to play over Starc due to his greater control. Has also said that Pattinson will almost certainly play in the third test so it may be difficult for Starc to get back in at all if the others bowl well and stay fit.

Hopefully the rain stays away now.

Having lost Day 1 to rain and with days 3 and 4 threatened with interruption, I actually would play Starc, as I think the game is going to come down to wickets and hoping that Lyon can work magic on day 4/5 is not realistic. This pitch is not going to age and will be a day 2/3 pitch come Sunday. Its a risk, but if Starc bowls well and gets 2 or 3 early wickets, it would set Australia up nicely. I'm a bit concerned that Langer felt the need to announce the team as to me the weather changes things.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Second Ashes Test, Lords

Good start by Hazlewood with wickets of Roy and Root.