England will go without a frontline spinner for the second Ashes Test at Lord’s after calling seamer Josh Tongue into the team to replace Moeen Ali.
Moeen battled a badly blistered finger throughout the first Test at Edgbaston and was limited to bowling just seven overs on the final day as Australia chased down 281.
The decision to leave Moeen out at Lord’s means Joe Root will act as England’s sole spinner.
Tongue’s call-up means England have also opted against picking the out-and-out pace of Mark Wood for a second straight Test. He is faster than their other seamers and his extra pace could unsettle the Australian batters.
His selection comes after he made his debut against Ireland earlier this month, taking 5-66 in the second innings at Lord’s.
Josh Tongue. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)
The 25-year-old created headlines in May when he trapped Steve Smith lbw in the Australian star’s first county game against Worcestershire ahead of the Ashes.
Marnus Labuschagne also compared him to Scott Boland after coming up against him early in the county season.
“I saw some footage yesterday of him bowling and I thought there was a lot of Scott Boland about his action,” Labuschagne said earlier this month.
“The way he runs in. The angle he creates at the crease.
“He’s a nice bowler. I played against him earlier this year in Cardiff and he was very good.”
Tongue’s return for Moeen is the only change to England’s side, with Ben Duckett holding onto his spot at the top of the order and Jonny Bairstow retaining the gloves.
Starc could get recall with wicket looking green
Mitchell Starc is so used to being sidelined by Australia that he couldn’t appear to be more laid-back about the big decision that awaits selectors before the Lord’s Test this week.
At least, that’s the way the beanpole comes across as he shrugs with a smile: “If I do get a chance, it’s going to be an exciting week; if not, the lunches here are pretty good too!”
The 33-year-old was the unlucky quick to miss out on selection for the thrilling first-Test win at Edgbaston but is tipped to be thrust straight back into the fray for the second match at the home of cricket beginning on Wednesday.
When it was suggested to him England were preparing for his swift left-arm assault in practice at Lord’s because they’re evidently convinced he’ll play on a wicket that looks greener and livelier than the Edgbaston pudding, Starc just grinned: “Do they know something our selectors don’t?”
Adamant that he’s not concerned about the speculation after being dropped 11 times down the years by Australia, he explained on Monday that he’s become accustomed to the ups and downs of being sidelined only to be brought back as a key strike bowler.
“I’m used to it from last time,” he smiled. “I’ve been around long enough, been dropped enough, probably been dropped the most in this squad, so it’s not something new for me. It probably won’t be the last time either.
“It’s never fun, everyone wants to play. If and when i get a turn, I’ll be ready to go. If not this week, then I’ll get ready for Headingley.”
But all the signs are that he will be thrust in this week, most likely at the expense of Scott Boland, who was targeted by the English batters at Edgbaston.
Starc has taken 37 wickets in 10 Tests in England but only featured once in 2019, when his four wickets at Old Trafford helped Australia retain the Ashes.
But he’s well aware that this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for him and the older denizens in the bowling attack.
“We are coming off a good week but know we can play better cricket and the way England are playing their cricket, they will come as hard if not harder at us,” he said. “It is a chance to go 2-0 up. It is not lost on us the opportunity we do have.
“For some of us it is our fourth trip here and coming off the back of ’19, where we retained the Ashes but missed out on winning, the carrot is certainly there.
“Certainly for the wider group, players and staff who have been so close or lost series here, it is certainly an incentive to keep going, but we are not looking too far past this week.”
Lyon gets a taste of Piastri-ball in the Lord’s nets
Never mind Bazball. Nathan Lyon has had to admit defeat in the Lord’s nets to the new cricketing force that is Piastriball.
Oscar Piastri, Australia’s lone Formula One driver, sped into the home of cricket on Monday, invited to have a bit of fun at the end of practice by the national team before Wednesday’s second Ashes Test.
And McLaren’s rookie demonstrated that he packs a punch with the bat as he took on first-Test hero Lyon, having been loaned the spinner’s bat and batting gear, and caught hold of a real beauty aimed over mid-wicket.
“Yeah, he hit it pretty well – I’ll give it to him,” said an impressed Lyon, when one onlooker suggested it would have been a six if it hadn’t ballooned into the nets.
“Well played!”
He also liked the look of Piastri’s forward defensive, laughing: “He’s almost got a better defence than a Pom … am I allowed to say that?”
London-based Piastri, who was enjoying a free day before flying off for the Austrian Grand Prix, also faced a few – thankfully gentle – deliveries from Mitchell Starc, and also looked to have some pace himself as he hurled down an over at Marnus Labuschagne.
He wasn’t the only star visitor hanging around the nets, with the team also meeting up with Geelong’s AFL legend Joel Selwood.
with AAP
nics
Roar Rookie
I would be surprised if both Anderson and Broad play the 3rd Test - they must be hoping this is one of those 3-day greentop lotteries as I can't see them managing a heavy bowling load. Haven't seen much of Tongue - can he bowl long spells?
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Seems Englands plan is to bowl first if they win the toss. Do we bowl first if we win the toss?
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
however england will go hard at Warner Smith Labuschagne and Green with that bowling attack.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
the guy averages 25 in FC with a SR of 45, but most importantly has a test average of 21 and a test SR of 41. and they're only that high because he was directed to bowl bouncers in the first innings that game was at Lords. forward planning by england, perhaps? we don't know what he is capable of against the top tier. but they've seen enough. I thought he looked pretty hand myself. a bit of Simon Jones about him, not quite 2005 level.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
this is a bold move for England and what I have been calling for us to do with Neser in for Green for this test tongue is significantly faster than robinson broad and anderson. and has better control and more nip than Wood. they are going to come at our batting, and also have fresh legs to target our tail. anothe bold move from England. may not be enough but at least they are looking for ways to win. (england women not picking Izzy wong- still can't believe it.)
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Bharat is excellent.
DTM
Roar Rookie
He wouldn't have flinched though.
DTM
Roar Rookie
I’d be happy to see Neser come in for Hazelwood. I think we might gain a little with the ball as I doubt Hoff is 100%. However, it would be a massive bonus with the bat – and we are likely to need that on a bowler friendly wicket. I’m on the fence with Boland vs Starc. Probably leaning towards Boland because I wouldn’t want to make 2 changes to a winning team. However, Starc gives added batting and he has a knack of cleaning up the tail. Imagine having Cummins at 10 after his first test heroics with the bat. Stokes would declare at 9 down to protect Jimmy from a rampant Mitch Starc.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Guess he’ll upset them by giving them a lashing, county competition stats indicate they’re clutching at straws. In 2023 he’s got 11 wickets at 41 and 2022 it was 5 wickets at 43 so he’ll have them shaking in their boots.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Caught Willy
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Well it’s very sad that Moeen isn’t going to be playing. I only saw a little of J Tongue in the Ireland game and he looked quickish and back of a length but lacked the control of the other english bowlers. It will be interesting to see how he goes. The inability of Stokes to bowl, lack of match fitness for Wood and the lack of spin options make this decision for England
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Surely Root should lead that team.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
When you throw in bazballs, you have quite the hot mix!
Jeff
Roar Rookie
And kept on going..
Kim Philby OBE OL
Roar Rookie
I’m glad Joel Selwood didn’t have a bat against Stark… he would have ducked straight into a short pitched delivery..
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Your live updates during the first test make you the resident expert, Jeff. Id love to see Neser there for, lets say, Warner. Warner wont make 10 runs this test and Neser is also a marginally better bowler.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Some raw Tongue eh, Arnab? I wasnt sure if England preferred a hot Tongue or penetrating Wood? I guess Root would have taken both on and gone on feel.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Just working through my thoughts process, so not so concise. :stoked:
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
That's a nice essay that basically means England's Bazball tactics with the bat could be under pressure. Especially for Crawley
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Wicket started off green from first looks Sunday and hasn't changed much 24 hours out from the start. But neither has it been mown yet - it may look a bit more distinctive once that happens. Will be interesting to see to what length they cut it; though whatever they do, the hot conditions of the last few days may see it grow a bit across the first few days of the Test - but not dry out under overcast skies. So quite fascinating as to pitch condition and throws up a lot of "what ifs" re selection and decsion at the toss. Viewing the development of the wicket from afar, looking at the weather forecast - and now less than 24 hours out - I think we have to play a dedicated swing bowler in Neser (would surely be foolish not to use him with these conditions) and seam bowlers that can extract and manage the movement off the seam being offered by the pitch; still can't pick it between Boland and Starc to start off the Test (refer final comment below). But both over Hazelwood for mine. Cummins plays irrespective, obviously. There has been some suggestion on SM of omitting Green and then play Neser and 2 of Boland/Starc/Haze + Cummins. But Green is a fine bowler in these conditions - he can actually move it around in a very troubling fashion (think of his performance in Hobart last Ashes) and his batting is something we don't want to easily forego. Whilst England have gone in without a specialist spinner, I put that more down to dearth of specialist spinner quality. The drier and sunnier conditions from day 3 should see Lyon do just fine as the match plays out, so he must play IMO. And with potentially drier conditions days 4 and 5, think I'd go with Starc all things considered - only because whilst we can get focused on what happens in England's first innings, we still need to keep on top of them in their 2nd innings. And Starc's reverse may well be needed mid way through England's 2nd innings.