There’s a one-day breather between men’s and women’s Ashes Tests, but that doesn’t mean the news cycle has stopped churning.
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England, as is customary, have named their XI for Lord’s well ahead of time, while Australia, as is customary, are keeping their cards close to their chests.
In the women’s Ashes, England are reeling from going 4-0 down after the Test, leaving their hopes of regaining the trophy slim. There’s plenty of injury news coming from there as well.
Tongue in, Moeen out
England have named their XI for Lord’s, with Josh Tongue, who claimed a five-wicket haul on debut against Ireland, preferred over Moeen Ali. While Moeen, who injured his finger at Edgbaston, has trained since then, the state of the digit and the seam-friendly conditions have prompted England to go in with an all-pace attack, and Joe Root as the frontline spinner. Mark Wood has been given another week to get himself fully fit, and Tongue’s extra speed saw him preferred to Chris Woakes.
Could Starc play?
Australia’s big selection dilemma for Edgbaston was which combination of seamers to go in with, and that remains the case. Lord’s could assist the seamers, which would in theory work against Mitchell Starc. But he is a different beast to the stump-seaking yorker specialist he once was, and England targetted Scott Boland to good effect at Edgbaston.
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The Lord’s pitch in focus
Edgbaston was straw-coloured and slow, offering little lateral movement throughout. Two days out, Lord’s looked the exact opposite, with the surface barely distinguishable from the outfield. Some of the grass has since been shaved off, and it remains to be seen how much more gets trimmed before play starts. But from England’s XI and the early rumblings, expect a bit of nibble.
This, btw, is pitch now: pic.twitter.com/a7J6OzoCdW
— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) June 27, 2023
Healy plays through the pain
They’re tough are these Aussies. It’s been revealed that Alyssa Healy came into the one-off women’s Ashes Test with two broken fingers, sustained in a warm-up game the week before, and gritted her teeth to lead her country to a seismic win. England’s Kate Cross also fronted up, dislocating a finger attempting a return catch before returning to bowl perhaps the game’s best delivery. Bravo.
Liam Dawson sends Ashes message
Liam Dawson has picked the perfect time to have the game of his life, notching 141 before taking 12 wickets against Middlesex. England’s spinners are falling by the wayside, with both Jack Leach and Moeen Ali struggling with injury. Rehan Ahmed was the named back-up for Lord’s, but could this performance make England take notice for Headingley?
Nathan Lyon eyes up a century
A decade ago, for the first Test of the 2013 Ashes, Australia sprung a surprise. Nathan Lyon was left out. A teenager, Ashton Agar, was preferred as the first-choice spinner in his place. He hit 98, but Australia lost a thriller. Lyon was back for Old Trafford, and hasn’t missed a Test since. Lord’s will be his 100th in succession, making him the first bowler to achieve that landmark. Nice Garry.
