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England vs Australia 2nd Test Predictions - Root to lead England comeback

Ralph Staniforth

Editor

Last updated: 27 Jun 2023

Ralph Staniforth 27 Jun 2023

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Watch England vs Australia in the 2nd Ashes Test on 28 June (10:00 SAST)
Root’s form in the 1st Test was sublime for the hosts
Can England level the Ashes?

Expired

Joe Root backed to top score for England (Getty Images)

England vs Australia Predictions

The first Test was certainly one for the memory books at Edgbaston. The game swung from side to side with Australia eventually winning by two wickets.

England vs Australia Predictions
Head to Head
England Form
England Team News
Australia Form
Australia Team News

The way England play will not change so expect another cracking fixture at Lord’s. The hosts are under pressure to produce the goods, and they did look like they were the likely victors in the first Test.

I am going to go against the odds in this one and back England to level matters at the home of cricket.

England have won 11 of their last 14 Test matches.
England’s Joe Root scored 118 runs in the 1st Test.
Australia’s Usman Khawaja top scored in both innings of the 1st Test.
Australia won the 1st Test of the Ashes against England.

Head to Head

Australia won an enthralling first Test at Edgbaston by two wickets to take a 1-0 series lead. England are now under pressure to level matters at Lord’s.

England Form

England came into the home Ashes full of confidence after winning 11 of their previous 13 Test matches since Brendon McCullum took over as coach.

They started the first Test well, piling on the runs on day one before declaring at 393 for 8. Joe Root top scored with a superb and unbeaten 118 runs.

Australia responded by scoring 386 runs to all but set up a second innings shootout. Three England batsmen scored 40+ runs but failed to kick on and were bowled out for 273 runs, leaving the visitors with a chase of 281 to win.

It was always going to be close and England looked to have Australia on the ropes, until an eighth-wicket partnership saw the Aussies take the win.

England Team News

England won’t be looking to make too many changes. Their entire system is built on trusting the players they have, but the bowling did look ineffective at times. We may see a return for Mark Wood.

Australia Form

Australia won the first Test without being anywhere near their very best. Many still think the English made all the plays but regardless, Australia took full advantage of the hosts errors to take the series lead.

After England piled on 293 runs, Usman Khawaja put his poor record in English conditions behind him to score a magnificent 141 runs. This helped the Aussies get within seven runs of the first innings total.

Pat Cummins then took four wickets as England were bowled out for 273 runs, leaving the visitors needing 281 to win. Khawaja top scored in the chase again with 65 runs but Australia looked down and out when he was dismissed late on day five.

However, Pat Cummins stepped up once again, scoring an unbeaten 44 runs as he and Nathan Lyon took Australia to a two-wicket success.

Australia Team News

Australia won the first Test but Scott Boland only managed one wicket in each innings. While they may stick with him, his place will certainly be under pressure from Mitchell Starc.

Verdict

England v Australia 2nd Test

I am backing England to level the series with Joe Root to top score in the England first innings.

After his stunning display in both innings', Usman Khawaja is my bet to top score for Australia.

England Win

Result

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Joe Root

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Usman Khawaja

Best Australia Batsman

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