Can ‘Bazball’ Roar Back Against Spirited Aussies at Lord’s | Match Details, Pitch Report, Fantasy Tips & Prediction

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Australia won at Edgbaston Test by 2 wickets [AP Photos]

A rivalry that dates back to 1887, the prestigious Ashes series is a riveting rivalry that brings out the best in both the England and Australian cricketers.

Fortunately for the Australians, it brought the best out of their players in the first Test against England at Edgbaston. Australia had the odds against them, chasing a tricky 281, but Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon showed great resilience, grit and determination to steal a memorable win from the jaws of defeat.

Now the caravan head towards the iconic Lord’s stadium in London, as the two sides gear up for the second Test match, scheduled to begin from June 28.

Team Previews

England

It seems as if the critics were waiting for England’s Bazball to explode. Like a coin has two sides to it, the Bazball also has its two sides - where arguments can be made whether it is spoiling Test cricket or making it entertaining for the viewers.

Having won 11 out of the 13 Test matches England had played before the first Test at Edgbaston, the English fans were optimistic for a spirited performance once again from the Three Lions. However, a few tactical blunders, coupled by some gritty Australian performance led to their third loss under the astute leadership of Stokes and McCullum.

The bowling attack lacked a cutting edge in the absence of Mark Wood, and James Anderson looked woefully out of touch, having not played a competitive game since his injury that took place last month.

With 4 Test matches still to go, expect the English side to make one big change - with Wood coming back in the side for Anderson.

People questioned Stokes’ early declaration on Day 1, but had it not been for that bold declaration, the game might have headed towards a stalemate.

Australia

What a couple of days it has been for the Australian team. Led by a supreme leader - Pat Cummins, the team recently won the WTC final against India, and then went onto win one of the most famous Test matches in recent history.

The English media made a lot of noise about the resurgence of Test cricket in their country by this new aggressive style, but the Australian team shut them down with a brilliant team performance, led by Usman Khawaja and Pat Cummins.

Khawaja’s brilliant century in the first innings set it up brilliantly and Cummins finished the job with a 4-fer in the second innings and a calculative 44 with the bat.

Interestingly, two of their best batters , Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith had a mediocre Test match, and yet their team won the match, chasing a difficult total.

Australia have this elite winning mentality and they’ll be eager to continue that dominance when the two teams collide in a few days time.

Match Details

Date and Time: June 28, 3:30 PM IST

Venue: Lord's, London

Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and Sony Liv App

Pitch Report

Generally, the surface at Lord's offers assistance to both batters and bowlers. The early seam movement does help the bowlers, but the surface tends to get better as the game progresses. But under the new Bazball regime, expect a flat track which will suit England's style of play.

Predicted XI

ENG: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Mark Wood/James Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad

AUS: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.

Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips

Wicket-keepers: Ben Duckett, Jonny Bairstow

Batters: Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Joe Root, Ollie Pope

All-rounders: Cameron Green

Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Ollie Robinson

Captain: Steve Smith

Vice Captain: Ollie Pope

Prediction

Historically, Australia have fared better at Lord's than England. Moreover, the Australians have the momentum with them, and should win another close-fought game at the Mecca of cricket.