‘Ab Bazball ko apne yorker se udaega’ – Fans react as Mitchell Starc replaces Scott Boland for second Test of Ashes 2023

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.”

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