In the build up to the first Test match of the Ashes series in Cardiff, England were the second favourites against the mighty Australia. How quickly things can change. In a matter of four days of the Cardiff Test, England defeated Australia and suddenly, the home team looked a formidable unit as everything seemed to click for them.
England played with a high level of confidence during the first Test. This sort of confidence has been gained from the last home Test series, against New Zealand, where an aggressive England team were born.
Expect an aggressive approach by England throughout the series, if it can guarantee them such success.
With the second Test scheduled at Lord's cricket ground on 16 July, England are now probably the favourites and the home team will be eager to pull off a similar performance like they did in the first Test, where they were better than Australia in all departments of the game - batting, bowling and fielding.
The Australian players need to pick themselves up and come up with their best cricket against England at Lord's to draw the series level. The Australian team have already decided to make an important change in the team bringing in all-rounder Mitchell Marsh at the expense of Shane Watson, who failed to deliver in the first Test.
As if their defeat was not enough, problems for Australia have been multiplied as Brad Haddin will be missing the second Test due to personal reasons, as a result of which Peter Nevill will be earning his first baggy green cap.
England, on the other hand, will depend on their star batsman, Joe Root to once again deliver with his willow as he did during the first Test, which included a magnificent century. Their skipper, Alistair Cook needs to find form at the top along with Adam Lyth to provide solid starts.
England's middle order and lower middle order have been decent and they need to continue in the same vein to make life difficult for the Aussies, while Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson need to take responsibility of the bowling attack for the visitors.
One cannot state that Australia's batsmen looked bad in the first Test, but they could not convert their starts into big scores, which was a major concern. So at Lord's, players need to stand up and be counted and not give their wickets cheaply.
A mouth-watering clash awaits everyone in the second Test, as the Ashes at Lord's is an unmissable event.
Expected lineups: England: Alastair Cook (capt), Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood.
Australia: Chris Rogers, David Warner, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Adam Voges, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon.
Second Test Schedule – England vs Australia
Venue – Lord's Cricket Ground
Date – 16-20 July
Time - 11 am local time (3:30pm IST, 6 am ET)
