(Cricket news) This Ashes’s opening fulfilled all of its promises. It will be a challenge for everyone involved to play four more matches at that intensity level. Given all the buzz from the previous week, during which both sides experienced some downtime, it would be simple to believe that England is the team in the lead. However, Australia holds that edge and is currently content to let England say whatever it wants thanks to the pairing of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, a stand that will go down in Ashes lore.

They are aware that the outcome could have easily been different, though. If England had not blown their chances, or even if Stuart Broad hadn’t bowled Usman Khawaja with a no-ball, it most likely would have been. No one is exaggerating that Bazball has been banned, but the first Ashes Test typically paves the road (although analogies to 2005 are common).

The outcome of the next five days at Lord’s will probably determine whether Australia can seize control and set themselves up for their first series victory in England since 2001, or if the home team can draw level and set up a potentially fantastic series.

Despite all of their bluster, and possibly because of this, England has more unanswered questions than Australia. Is it appropriate to forego a frontline spinner? Is the attack’s point of difference strong enough? How much damage can Ben Stokes’ knee take? Is Ben Duckett vulnerable outside off stump to Australia’s quicks? Is attacking the only option?

If we are to believe the players when they say they will attempt to become even more aggressive in the face of defeat, that much is certain. The same message was made after the defeat to South Africa the previous year, which ironically was then followed by (relatively speaking) one of their most restrained batting displays, led by a captain’s innings from Stokes at Old Trafford.

According to Australia, there is much space for development. Marnus Labuschagne and Smith only scored 35 runs in the entire Test, and England may look back on it with regret. Despite the fact that their camp is happy with how the tactics performed under pressure, they are also entering Lord’s with a knowledge base they did not have before Edgbaston.

This series’ starting point has been established. Really, nobody really knows what will happen next. And that’s a tempting possibility.

Form guide

England  L W L W W

Australia W W D W L

England’s response to defeat. What has been put together under Stokes and Brendon McCullum has clearly worked wonders, but it can’t be unquestionable. Last summer they bounced back against South Africa but the tourists had a poor batting line-up. Their only other defeat since then was the one-run loss to New Zealand in Wellington. Hitting back after going 1-0 down at the start of a home Ashes is something entirely different and the biggest test of the ethos (or cult?) that Bazball has created.

At Edgbaston, Labuschagne was twice dismissed by Broad’s new outswinger, earning him his first golden duck in Test cricket. Just two fifties, at an average of 33, have been made in his last 17 innings, which is far less than the extraordinarily high standards he has established. If he were to find his rhythm at Lord’s, it would be at the venue where, four years ago, his Test career kicked off when he was dropped into the lineup as Smith’s concussion sub.

Team News 

In order to replace Moeen Ali, England has modified the composition of their team by calling up fast bowler Josh Tongue. On his debut this season against Ireland at Lord’s, Tongue claimed a five-wicket haul. They have given Stuart Broad and James Anderson their support in order to complete another Test.

England : 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jonny Bairstow, 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Ollie Robinson, 10 Josh Tongue, 11 James Anderson

Australia have narrowed down a 12 with the final decision likely to be between Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. England took Boland at nearly six-an-over at Edgbaston but the grass on the surface at Lord’s could keep him in the frame.

Australia 1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Scott Boland/Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood

Key statistics

Five wickets are required for Nathan Lyon to reach 500 as he becomes the eighth player to play in 100 straight Tests.

To get 200 wickets in Tests, Stokes needs five more wickets.

Spinners have taken 15 wickets at an average of 50.60 during the last five Test matches at Lord’s since the one-year break caused by Covid.

On the other hand, the ground offers England’s quicks the lowest average over the past five years.

Pitch and Conditions

Prior to the game, the surface had a noticeable green tint, but that is relatively typical for Lord’s. More pace and bounce are anticipated than what Edgbaston offered. For the first day, the forecast is good, but there may be some delays after that.

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