Leading the Ashes Test cricket series 1-0 after winning the first Test at Trent Bridge, hosts England will take on Australia in the 2nd Test at Lords, London on Thursday-Monday.
Where to Watch Live:
The match will kick off at 3:30 PM IST (Thursday) in India and end on Monday. It will be broadcast live on Ten Cricket channel and live stream online on its official site.
Overview:
England come into the Ashes second Test after winning the first Test by 14 runs in thrilling contest. They lead 1-0 in the five-Test series with James Anderson scripting the win with a 10-wicket haul but the game at Lords will be a different one all together with new surroundings.
Australia will be upset with the manner in which they lost the first Test at Trent Bridge. A victory was so near yet so far at the end after falling short of a win by just 14 runs. They will be keen to take revenge at the Lords and level the series with a win.
Previous Meetings:
Australia have 31-30 win-loss and five draws record against England in 66 Ashes series played till date. England, who won the last two series, defeated Aussies by 14 runs in the Ashes 2013 first Test.
Team News:
England: They will field the same squad that played in the first Test. Nobody scored big in the first innings but Ian Bell scored a century in the second innings, while Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen scored half centuries apiece. They will expect the top-order to give a solid start in the second Test.
On the bowling front, James Anderson's 10-wicket haul, five each in both the innings helped them win the first Test. Graeme Swann took four wickets and Stuart Broad three.
Australia: Phillip Hughes (81) and Ashton Agar (98) took Australia's total from 117 for 9 to 280 all out, creating a Test-record tenth-wicket partnership in the first innings. Other players, who scored half centuries in the first Test are Steven Smith, Chris Rogers and Brad Haddin. Shane Watson failed to convert a good start into a big score in the second innings while top-order Ed Cowan and Michael Clarke failed with the bats.
On the bowling front, Peter Siddle was the leading wicket taker for the Ausies with eight wickets, while James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc took five wickets each.
Prediction:
England won the first Test and know the condition of their home ground well but Australia are expected to strike back with aggression. Aussies are should level the series with a win.
Squads:
England: Alastair Cook captain), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, James Anderson, Graham Onions
Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), Chris Rogers, Ed Cowan, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Shane Watson, James Faulkner, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Matthew Wade, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird, Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar
