Appetizing Thoughts For Australia Ahead of Lords and the Starc Question?

Bazball took on Australia as the Australian bowlers were under fire quickly in the Test. The bowler who did bear the brunt of England’s attacking play was Scott Boland. Normally known to maintain a metronomic line and length, Scott Boland was targetted the most in the attack as England found ways to hit him off his rhythm quickly.

With Scott Boland unable to maintain his length which allows him to target the stumps, he was easy pickings as England took him for nearly six an over. Prior to the Test there was a thought on his selection as he seemed to do enough to keep Mitchell Starc out. With the tracks playing flat though, Mitchell Starc could slot back. With the tracks not offering much for the bowlers, Starc, with his left-arm angle and raw pace could prove to be more dangerous.

He was left out with Josh Hazlewood coming back and Scott Boland looking in good form. A Test later though, Starc’s scenario looks different as there are calls for his recall. Him missing the first Test though could prove to be a blessing. With Five Tests in a quick time, workload will be a factor. Pat Cummins has already sent down a lot of overs and it will be interesting to see how Josh Hazlewood pulls up after his first Test in a while.

With Starc’s pace, Australia will be able to field an attack with some more variety considering Josh Hazlewood does a similar job in holding an end with accurate bowling like Scott Boland. With Starc, Australia could afford to take some more risks with the ball in the face of Bazball, unlike in the first Test where they quickly went defensive after some quick runs from Zak Crawley up front.

Along with the Starc question though, the batting line-up proves to look appetizing. The first Test was won with Smith and Labuschagne collectively making only 35 across both innings. It’s not often the pair fail in the same Test, and the fact that Australia managed to bat well and win without them providing runs will give Australia a lot more confidence going into the next Test.

Both players have a lot of experience in English conditions and Steve Smith will remember the last away tour well as he went past the 700 mark in just four Tests. With Australia one up now, the burden on Smith is considerably less, but with Bazball talking with both bat and ball, Steve Smith will be eager to silence both the English players and crowd.