The highly-anticipated second Ashes Test match between England and Australia will commence on June 28 (Wednesday). The Baggy Greens won a pulsating game of cricket at Edgbaston by two wickets and took 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Heading into Lord's, the venue for second Test, the Three Lions are under pressure to secure a positive result as going down 0-2 would prove catastrophic to their chances of reclaiming the urn.
When it comes to the playing conditions, the previous Test at Edgbaston offered nothing for the bowlers as the pitch lacked venom from the onset. For the second Test at Lord's, the conditions are going to be different, including the 22 yards on which the game will be played.
Lord's pitch is expected to assist fast bowlers, at least by the looks of it. In some of the pictures that went viral on the eve of the Test match, the 22 yards was covered with lush green grass.
After the pictures of the pitch went viral, Iceland Cricket poked fun at the Lord's groundstaff comparing the 22 yards to Wimbledon's surface.
"Somebody needs to tell the Lord's groundstaff that Wimbledon begins on Monday, not tomorrow!" Iceland Cricket said in a Tweet.
England announced their playing XI for the second Test on June 27 (Tuesday) and made one change to their side that features in the first Test. All-rounder Moeen Ali, who sustained blisters on his index finger during Edgbaston Test, was dropped from the playing XI. Right-arm fast bowler Josh Tongue was named as Ali's replacement.
Tongue made his Test debut against Ireland at Lord's earlier in the year and that is the fast bowler's only international appearance. The youngster bagged a five-wicket haul in his debut game at the 'mecca of cricket'.
Somebody needs to tell the Lord's groundstaff that Wimbledon begins on Monday, not tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/xo5Q7k1kEY
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