Australia left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc has been included in the playing XI for the ongoing second Test of the Ashes 2023. He replaced Scott Boland who traveled the journey in the first Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, which was won by Australia. Notably, Starc played the WTC Final against India early this month. In that game, the left-arm pacer traveled the journey although the team won the game by a huge margin.
Meanwhile, given the overcast conditions and a green wicket on offer, the visitors, Australia won the toss and decided to bowl first. Leading by 1-0 in the series, the Aussies have left out Boland and brought in Starc.
“We’re really happy with how Scott has been going. Unfortunately he is the one to miss out this week but we’re excited to have someone of Starcy’s class come back in,” Pat Cummins said at the toss.
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
England XI: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, James Anderson
England won the toss and elected to bowl first
Talking about the game, the Aussie openers, Usman Khawaja and David Warner have provided a steady start with 30/0 in 13.2 overs at the time of writing. The game was interrupted by rain for less than 10 minutes but the Kangaroos aren’t deterred at all. The home team, England won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Skipper Ben Stokes said “We turned up here at Lord’s and saw there was a lot of grass on the wicket, it’s a bit green. Traditionally Lord’s has offered more for the seamers,” said captain Ben Stokes.
“With Mo’s finger the way it was last week, it’s actually recovered really well, but we just thought we’d get more out of our fourth bowler being Josh Tongue this week.”
This is how Twitter reacted
Didn't see Australia dropping Boland for Starc. If Starc had to come in, it had to be for Hazlewood.
An interesting decision given how good Boland is in seaming conditions. Just one off-game against England on a flat Edgbaston pitch and he is out of the XI.
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) June 28, 2023
What a blunder decision.
Boland is born to bowl on a pitch like lords.
Anyway Hazelwood will still be lethal there
— Professor samuel oak (@prof_oak123) June 28, 2023
Still haven't dropped Lyon, champions for a reason?
— Sathish Kumar (@Sathish12369) June 28, 2023
Why not Hazelwood why Boland?
— boii (@Prabal59090767) June 28, 2023
Boland should've played in place of Hazlewood
— Nimit (@nimitarora1991) June 28, 2023
Advantage England.
— 🙁 (@gheyforrohit) June 28, 2023
strac bhi aa gya …abb anderson ki form vapas ni ayi toh eng ki bazzball ki gamd fatt jaygi
— RahulK09 (@ch_rahul09) June 28, 2023
England want to bat in 4th innings ??
— Utsav Arora (@utsavarora25) June 28, 2023
England winning this
— PA1?? (@drDHFM) June 28, 2023
England will win
— Shourya Sareen (@SareenShou63928) June 28, 2023
