England vs Australia – The Ashes LIVE: Scorecard and updates from Lord’s as hosts look to bounce back from opening Test defeat to the Aussies
Follow Mail Sport’s live blog as England and Australia go head-to-head on Day One of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.
Host commentator
Ben Stokes has backed Worcestershire fast bowler Josh Tongue to make an immediate impact as England seek to square the Ashes in the second Test starting at Lord’s on Wednesday – and said he would continue to ‘make the right decisions’ for his side after criticism of his captaincy at Edgbaston.
Tongue, who took five wickets on debut against Ireland at Lord’s earlier this month, will replace spin-bowling all-rounder Moeen Ali in the team that lost the first Test to Australia by two wickets, and Stokes has earmarked him for the role of enforcer – bowling short when the pitch goes flat.
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Oh no!
It looks like there is a bit of drizzle in the air this morning and the Lord’s hovercover is currently covering the pitch.
With the humid and cloudy conditions around it could well be a great morning for bowling.
LIVE: Hovercraft covers have just swallowed up the pitch with a bit of drizzle around London #Ashes pic.twitter.com/HdbLsHckEZ
Lord’s really is a unique place to watch a game of cricket and it is set to be a sell-out across the next five days.
The infamously well-dressed MCC members have been piling into the ground already this morning with queues stretching down the surrounding streets as they aim to get their spots in the pavilion.
They should be set for a great day of cricket ahead.
In perhaps an ominous sign for England, the visitors have a formidable record at the Home of Cricket.
Across the years Australia have won 17 of their 39 Tests at Lord’s and have regularly had a hold over the hosts.
England have had better success this century, winning at the famous old venue back in 2009 and 2013, but the Aussies won in 2001, 2005 and 2015 – while 2019 was a draw in a game best remembered for Jofra Archer’s hostile spell at Steve Smith.
Mail Sport’s Nasser Hussain has penned his latest column ahead of the second Test.
The former England skipper and Sky Sports pundit argued it was avoidable mistakes that cost the hosts dearly at Edgbaston.
He also suggested Ben Stokes and his side desperately need to win at Lord’s to make sure fans don’t turn on their aggressive style of cricket.
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It looks like Mitchell Starc has got the nod over Scott Boland for today’s Test.
The left-arm quick, 33, has 310 Test wickets at an impressive average of 27.64.
He also averages more than 20 with the bat and will add extra pace to Australia’s attack after England targeted Scott Boland at Edgbaston.
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Speaking of Josh Tongue, it may be the football transfer window that generates more attention – particularly at this time of the year – but there is also plenty of speculation in the cricket world right now.
Mail Sport’s Richard Gibson exclusively revealed on Tuesday how the Worcestershire quick is set to depart the club amid a three-way tussle for his signature.
The Pears have a track record of producing promising young stars with Tongue and his teammate Jack Haynes both part of the England Lions squad in the winter, while other highly-rated players such as Ed Barnard and Joe Clarke have moved on in recent years.
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While Australia are waiting until the toss at 10:30AM to announce their team – with Mitchell Starc touted for a return to the side at the expense of Josh Hazlewood or Scott Boland – England announced their XI yesterday.
In perhaps a shock call, Worcestershire fast bowler Josh Tongue will come in for his former county team mate Moeen Ali as England have made the bold decision to ditch a spinner at Lord’s.
Tongue impressed on Test debut against Ireland earlier this month, picking up five wickets in the second innings and he will definitely add extra pace to England’s attack.
Well, if the second Test is anything like the first we are in for a treat.
It was a game that ebbed-and-flowed across the five days and you could barely afford to turn away from the action for 10 minutes as the dramatic match unfolded.
England batted first and posted 393-8 before Ben Stokes’s much-discussed and bold declaration.
Australia effectively made it a one innings game after they racked up 386 all out in response, giving England a lead of just seven.
The hosts then posted 273 all out which set the Aussies 281 to win.
Both sides continually traded blows before it seemed as if England would secure the victory as they had the visitors eight down and still requiring 54 runs to win.
But a sensational partnership between Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon saw the Aussies home and ensured they went 1-0 up in the series.
And welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of Day One of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.
Be sure to stay with us for all the build-up, news from the toss and updates throughout the day as England look to bounce back after defeat in last week’s first Test at Edgbaston.
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