The Lord’s pitch, slope and forecast showers are expected to result in Australia promoting Josh Hazlewood at the expense of James Pattinson in the second Ashes Test.
Captain Tim Paine has opted against revealing an XI on the eve of the clash in London, where the tourists’ search for a 2-0 lead starts on what is forecast to be a very wet Wednesday.
The tourists have instead named Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc in a 12-man squad, with Pattinson the notable omission as Australia try to keep England guessing.
Justin Langer and Trevor Hohns gave strong consideration to backing an unchanged team, having been thoroughly impressed by recalled pacemen Pattinson and Peter Siddle in Australia’s series-opening win at Edgbaston.
But the case to include Hazlewood, who was on the wrong end of Langer’s last-minute “gut feel” decision between him and Siddle in Birmingham, appears to have been too compelling.
Complicating matters is a three-day break between the second and third Test.
Given the attack is likely to be reshuffled because of workload concerns, selectors have put Pattinson on ice for the ensuing match in Leeds.
But the overriding priority for coach Langer and chairman of selectors Hohns this week is victory, which would put their team in the box seat to complete Australia’s first away Ashes triumph since 2001.
No side has ever come back from 2-0 down to win a Test series since Don Bradman’s Australia in the 1936-37 Ashes.
Hazlewood outperformed Starc in the recent tour game against Worcestershire, exercising great control in his best performance since suffering a serious back injury in January.
The right-armer is expected to get the nod.
Paine suggested conditions, both overhead and underfoot, will determine who claims the final spot in the XI at Lord’s.
“We just want to have another quick look at the wicket. We know there’s a bit of weather around,” Paine told reporters.
“We’ll make a call on the conditions and what we think is going to be the best combination.
“But also knowing this is a big series and there’s going to be a lot of overs bowled, there’s a lot of cricket coming up.”
Mitchell Johnson has called on Starc, who has tumbled down the current pace pecking order, to be picked in place of Pattinson.
Paine predicted the home of cricket would offer both pace attacks more assistance than a slow deck in Birmingham, where Nathan Lyon spun his team to victory on the final day.
“Especially if it’s overcast. It looked to have a greener tinge than Edgbaston did … a similar wicket to maybe what we saw (In England’s recent Test) against Ireland,” Paine said.
“It looks similar to the nets, just to look at and feel, and the nets have been doing a little bit and spinning.”
Paine even suggested the unique 2.5-metre drop between the north and south ends of the oval could help shape the selection debate.
“A little bit,” the skipper said.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I agree. I had high hopes for him. Mentally tough and good technique. But he looked all at sea against all bowlers in Birmingham. Maybe nerves and stress
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I have a brolly
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
And a brolly
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
The bloke waits a lifetime to be test fit and they 'rest' him for Lords. Harsh
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
I just hope they get a result this test
Peter Warrington
Guest
yep, all of those are true. i thought he looked especially awful in the first test here. see how he goes - that might be the boost he needs!
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
lol, fair call. Showed it in SA last year, yet to show it here, except in tour games and FC.
Peter Warrington
Guest
i must have been in a coma when Bancroft showed that
Peter Warrington
Guest
you can say that about khawaja but i am not convinced re Warner.
Peter Warrington
Guest
no. has a nice technique but no record to speak of.
Rob JM
Roar Rookie
We can't win or loose the ashes in this test. But if we don't rotate the bowlers early the Hazlewood and Starc will be rusty due to lack of match practice. England on the other hand might be caught out by the back to back tests because Archers body might not be up to back to test and Broad is struggling with fitness. They would be better off resting broad for curran, but they can't because they are behind. Having a fresh Pattinson is a huge advantage in such a compressed series. 3 test in 4 weeks is a lot for anyone. Cummins should probably be rested for the 3rd test in an ideal world.
Rob JM
Roar Rookie
No but nesser would be. Kind of need a stronger keeper batsman than Paine though. Labuchagne it the best of the batting alrounders, although head can roll the arm over two.
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
It’s a whole lot harder for openers/1st drop in eng than aus though. They should first look to blunt the attack and then score later, like Chris Rogers did so successfully in 2015. Bancroft and Usi have shown they can do that, Warner not so much.
Mario Lia
Guest
Silly to change the bowling line up. Good point Patto has played more red ball cricket than Hazelwood in the last 6-8 months. Funny how the batting line up does not change when the 3 top order players failed in the 1ST test. Bancroft was not the only one who failed. Warner hardly made a run and Usi made 13 and 40. Do not tell me that 40 is a pass mark. We keep hearing about Bancroft being under threat for his position. This test it is time for Warner and Usi to stand up to take the pressure of Smith. They need to make make runs when it counts early in the series not at the end of series when it is all over. Both Warner and usi have had habit of doing that over the last few years. If they both fail in this test, they should also be put under scrutiny for their places in the team. Marcus Harris and Marnus are both there and could easily come in by the 3rd test. Bancroft should not be under any more pressure than Warner and Usi. Warner and Usi both turn 33 later on this year. They would not want to fail to many more times.
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
Considering the start to Pattinsons test career, he had the potential to be one of our best ever, but injuries took their course. Now he is back and has had a full shield season plus cc, his body is standing up to the rigours of 4/5 day cricket. He didn’t need to be rested and is a better bowler than hazlewood, although hazlewood is very good himself.
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
A 10 day break between games is a pretty decent rest though, understand if it was for next test with the 3 day break.
Rob JM
Roar Rookie
Kind of silly saying a guy who has taken 2 test wickets in god knows how many years cant be rested so the a world class bowler can come in. Don’t be surprised if Siddle is twelfth man either!
badmanners
Roar Rookie
England will be delighted with this news.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I reckon if we get 3 days it’ll be enough for a result. I’ve got good tickets for tomorrow. Will take a book and some wine
pakistanstar
Roar Rookie
Why do people always mention white-ball form when speaking about the test team? The difference between white-ball and red-ball cricket is like Rugby League and Rugby Union, similar gameplay but completely different skills and fitness are required to play each one.