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With the old guard James Anderson alongside, England are all pepped up to spring back in the second Test of the 5-match Ashes series as they take on arch-rivals Australia at Adelaide Oval on Thursday (December 16).
England have not won an Ashes series in Australia after losing the first Test since 1954-55 and they enter Adelaide with hopes of matching that feat. But the first step in rectifying that record will be winning a Test match full stop, something they haven't done in their last 11 Tests down under.
Veteran speedster Anderson is likely to be supplemented with the services of Stuart Broad. And as far as English batting is concerned, it has been pretty patchy of late. It’s going to be an uphill task for them while facing Australia’s lethal bowling attack. However, the return of Ben Stokes will be beneficial for them as they look to level the series 1-1.
Adelaide’s pitch comes as a sigh of relief for batters from both sides. The skies are predicted to be clear for the next 5 days and the surface, in all likelihood, is going to be a highway. Given the venue and conditions, fast bowlers are expected to make merry.
The ravishing fast duo of Anderson and Broad will be pitted against the Australian powerpack pair of newly appointed Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
Riding on the winning wheels, Australia will want to keep the momentum rolling after a dominant victory in Brisbane. Although, they have lost Josh Hazlewood to a side strain, with Jhye Richardson to replace him while there are fitness concerns over David Warner due to his bruised ribs.
Neither Pat Cummins nor Mitchell Starc was forced to bowl more than 35 overs in Brisbane while three of Australia's top six are coming off significant scores. But Australia did fail to score 200 in last year's pink-ball Test against India despite winning by eight wickets, and England rolled them for just 138 in the second innings in Adelaide four years ago.
All eyes will be on the in-form Travis Head, the player of the match in the first Test. David Warner also looked in great touch with the bat and will look to carry the same momentum in the next game.
England squad: Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Haseeb Hameed, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root (captain), Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.
Australia XI: Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jhye Richardson
