Australia Announce Their Playing XI For the Lord's Test

Australia banked on Steve Smith’s twin centuries to take a crucial 1-0 lead against England at Edgbaston in the ongoing Ashes 2019. In a bid to keep their winning run going, the Aussies have made only one change to their playing XI for the second match starting from August 14 (Wednesday) at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

Tim Paine-led Australia team will be high on confidence ahead of the second Test starting from July 14. They will aim to take a crucial 2-0 lead as they look to put an end to their barren run in the Ashes in England since 2001. Smith will want to put another heroic effort on his return to lead Australia’s batting. Meanwhile, they have made one change to their playing XI from the last Test. Pacer Josh Hazlewood has replaced James Pattinson in the first team as per reports in Fox Sports. Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc still waits for his turn to get going against the England team.

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Hazlewood got a nod ahead due to his recent form in the nets and in the training game against Worcestershire. The management was mighty impressed with the paceman’s form, who has been giving all sorts of troubles to the Australian batsman at the nets. Hazlewood returned with three for 34 in compare to Starc’s two wickets which aided his chance of making it to playing XI. This, combined with the traditional slope at Lord’s, will see the right-arm Hazlewood make it to the playing XI ahead of Starc.

Australia squad for the second Ashes Test

Cameron Bancroft, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Travis Head (VC), Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (C and WK), Patrick Cummins, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood