The highly anticipated second Test of the Ashes 2023 between England and Australia is scheduled to take place at Lord’s. Following an exhilarating match in Birmingham, this game is expected to capture the attention of viewers worldwide. Additionally, a unique pitch has been prepared for this particular match.
Despite losing the first game, England remains determined and focused on maintaining their strong batting performance. Joe Root and Zak Crawley have expressed their commitment to maintaining the same approach in the upcoming matches. In terms of team changes, pacer Josh Tongue will replace all-rounder Moeen Ali in this game.
Australia, although not at their best in the previous match, still emerged victorious. Batsman Usman Khawaja is in excellent form, while Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will aim to make significant contributions with the bat in this match. It will be intriguing to observe if Australia makes any alterations to their lineup.
Lord’s London Pitch Report for England Australia 2nd Test Ashes 2023
The Lords pitch is renowned as one of the most competitive surfaces in international cricket. For the second Ashes Test, the pitch appears to be a paradise for bowlers. It is a green wicket, offering substantial assistance to the fast bowlers. Even the practice wickets at Lords are significantly faster compared to those at Edgbaston.
Also read: ENG vs AUS Pitch Report Today Day 1 of Test 2, Ashes 2023
In the first innings, the pacers are expected to dominate, as the Dukes ball retains its hardness for an extended period. This can make it challenging for the batsmen to settle in. However, once they get accustomed to the conditions, the lush outfield will reward them for their attacking shots. Spinners also tend to come into play as the match progresses.
The pitch is anticipated to provide good bounce, allowing bowlers to make effective use of shorter deliveries. Historically, the average first-innings score at Lords has been 309 runs, while the average fourth-innings score has been just 154 runs. However, in overcast conditions, opting to bowl first on this green wicket may not be a bad decision.