England vs. Australia, 2nd Test: 5 Key Ashes Storylines Heading to Lord's
After thrashing Australia in the first Test, England will be hoping to take their excellent form from Cardiff to Lord's when the sides resume battle on Thursday.
Australia have major questions to answer regarding both the form and fitness of key performers. Will Mitchell Starc be fit? Will Shane Watson get to review more LBW decisions?
England were rewarded for their attacking instincts in Cardiff. Consistency has been lacking in recent Tests, though. Can they produce back-to-back performances?
And what of the pitch? The slow Cardiff surface neutered Mitchell Johnson. Will there be more pace at Lord's?
Will the Australian Selectors Wield the Axe?
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Did we see the last hurrah of Shane Watson's Test career at Cardiff? Darren Lehmann hinted that the burly all-rounder's place is under threat at Lord's.
Speaking to reporters after the first Test defeat in Cardiff, the coach said (per Sky Sports): "At the end of day you don't want to be getting out lbw all the time and you want to make more runs. Shane would be disappointed, so are we."
If Watson is axed, the in-form Mitchell Marsh is the man most likely to replace him.
Despite his uneven performance in Cardiff Brad Haddin's place doesn't appear to be under immediate threat. The 37-year-old will have to perform better behind the stumps and score some runs to silence the growing band of critics, though.
What Will the Pitch be Like at Lord's?
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If England wanted a pitch to neuter Mitchell Johnson they couldn't have come up with anything much better than the torpid surface in Cardiff.
What will the pitch be like at Lord's? If the first Test of the summer against New Zealand is anything to go by we may see something a little more lively.
The strip for the Kiwi Test offered something for everyone. Consistent bounce for the stroke players. Some pace and a little lateral movement for the seam bowlers. Even a little turn for the spinners as the game (and pitch) wore on. It all resulted in an excellent Test match.
Australian coach Darren Lehmann is certainly hoping for something with a little more life. When quizzed about what he'd like to see at Lord's, Boof told reporters (per Australia's Daily Telegraph), “I’d just like to see you be able to bowl a bouncer on day one.”
Will England Carry on Attacking?
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With apologies to Sid James and Kenneth Williams, will England Carry On Attacking? They're certainly talking the talk, but can they maintain such high standards for a second successive match?
"'This is here, this is a different side, different players. We always tried to attack, take the hunting option' - Cook #Ashes
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 11, 2015"
England staged a stirring comeback to win the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's earlier this year. They followed it up by putting in a stinker of a performance in the second Test at Headingley as the Kiwis tied the series. Alastair Cook's side can't afford to take their foot off the throttle against Australia.
There will be no complacency in the home ranks, though. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Stuart Broad said (per the Independent), "We’re well aware we had a bit of the rub of the green. That happens in cricket, and it might not be the same this week. We will have to work hard to get a win.”
Opting for the high-risk, high-reward option will sometimes backfire. England will be hoping that's not the case at headquarters.
Mitchell Starc's Fitness
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Mitchell Starc was the pick of the Australian seamers in Cardiff, picking up seven wickets in the match. This was despite suffering from an ankle injury.
With Ryan Harris already pulling up, the tourists can't really afford another of their top bowlers to miss out at Lord's.
Peter Siddle is the most likely replacement if Starc doesn't make the cut in St Johns's Wood on Thursday. Impressive as his Ashes record is, cricket's most famous vegan isn't likely to pose the same threat as a healthy and in-form Starc.
The prognosis for Starc looks good, though. Even if he's hobbling, expect him to play in the second Test.
"UPDATE: Starc experienced pain in back of right ankle. Improved significantly throughout Test. Will train lightly. Hopeful for 2nd Test.
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 12, 2015"
Were Australia Just Complacent in Cardiff?
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Was Australia's poor performance just a blip or an indicator of a more serious decline? Understandably, Darren Lehmann opted for the former, describing it as “a minor hiccup,” per ESPN Cricinfo.
"BOOF'S BLOG: Cardiff was a hiccup and it's given us a kick up the backside: http://t.co/pKepfcjapS #Ashes pic.twitter.com/tgjp9XpsML
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 13, 2015"
Former Aussie great Dean Jones was highly critical of the tourists' approach in Cardiff. Writing in his Sydney Morning Herald column, Jones said that the Australian batsmen “showed no respect for the conditions and were not prepared to adapt.”
If Australia's demise in the series opener was down to complacency, will they be able to turn the form tap on immediately at Lord's?
The home side are certainly expecting an backlash. England's Antipodean coach Trevor Bayliss told reporters (h/t Daily Express): “The Aussies will be hurting. They don't like losing. They have a proud record and losing will mean they come out in the next game trying to prove a point and trying to make up for their performance in this match.”
The Lord's Test has all the makings of a classic.
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