Australia – surprisingly for everyone – put up a dominant display at Edgbaston, a venue they hadn’t tasted victory at since 2001.
Edgbaston has been England’s fortress just as Brisbane is for Australia. But that resounding success in the first Test of the Ashes now keeps Australia a foot ahead of England.
Mind you, Australia only need a drawn series to retain the Ashes, so the first match going to the visiting side was crucial for Australia. With Steve Waugh in the dressing room, they couldn’t have asked for a better man to guide them.
Meanwhile, England now have James Anderson ruled out of the next Test with injury and Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali and other senior pros not firing.
The onus has been on the English skipper Joe Root, who has to bat at No.3 – a position that hasn’t delivered as much success as his preferred No.4 spot.
Moeen Ali was dismissed again by Nathan Lyon – his form has been patchy and his head is drooping. Jack Leach might get a look-in to give Joe Root more control.
Steve Smith’s weakness on paper is against left-arm spin, which could hand Leach an Ashes debut. The hosts have to come up with a plan – and fast.
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
How can England strike back at Lord’s?
The pitch at Lord’s should assist seamers like it did last summer against India, along with the slope that enables fast bowlers to generate subtle movement off the pitch.
This is only England’s chance. A slow, low, spinning surface doesn’t help England at all, given the world-class spinner in the opposition ranks.
With Jofra Archer most likely to get a call-up in the next game, this change could be what England need to dismantle Steven Smith. Archer could be a handful and perhaps England’s last chance to sneak into the series.
England were one man short in Birmingham as soon as Anderson limped off with a calf injury after bowling only four overs on Day 1. Archer is a good replacement.
And with better application from the batsmen, England stands a chance.
Jonny Bairstow is the biggest concern, but as he came back against India with a roaring century in the World Cup, they should give him one more match.
There are big question marks over Jason Roy and Joe Denly, while Matthew Wade and Travis Head have done their reputation no harm coming up with solid performances in the first Test.
David Warner is due for some big runs, but if Stuart Broad gets him out again, then Warner will carry mental baggage.
England have shown great resilience in coming back when chips are down over the last five years, coming back series after series. But are England up to it mentally and physically after the high of the World Cup?
India lost 4-0 to England after their 2011 World Cup victory, then Australia looked jaded in the 3-2 loss to their arch rivals in England four years back after winning the World Cup on home soil.
England are going through the same syndrome, and while a week break will help, it could be a while for the world champions to pick themselves up again.
Australia have their noses in front and victory at Lord’s will make them unstoppable.
England need some spark on Day 1 and Archer could be that X-factor.
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