Former England captain Andrew Strauss wants to see some fresh blood in the England bowling lineup in the next three matches following their second consecutive defeat to Australia in the 5-match Ashes series. Ben Stokes-led side will look to turn things around in the next match starting on July 6 in Headingley.
Winning the Toss, the England team failed to capitalize on the overcast conditions in Lord’s on the 1st innings, as the England pacers leaked runs on the first innings, as the Australian batter was proactive throughout the day as they were putting the bad balls to the boundaries to put in a massive total of 416 runs, which helped them to defend the total on the final day.
Speaking on Sky Cricket, Andrew Strauss feels that England speedster Mark Wood would add a different dimension in the next game to this English bowling attack just like Joshua Tongue, as the England pacers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson could not make an impact with the ball for the English side.
“I think Joshua Tongue added an extra dimension this week and I think (Mark) Wood will do exactly the same. I would be amazed if England went in with the same bowling attack. They looked flat on the first morning here [at Lords] like it was a hangover from Edgbaston,” Andrew Strauss said.
England made a dramatic comeback on Day 5, with Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes forming a partnership in the first session of the game, as the English side lost back-to-back wickets in no time, with Jonny Bairstow being dismissed bizarrely on the final day of the game. The English side lost the game by 43 runs to go 2-0 down in the 5-match Ashes seriesMar
The Problem For James Anderson Is That It Has Swung So Far – Andrew Strauss
Strauss said the England veteran James Anderson could not find swing the ball in the series, as England needs to look beyond Anderson for the next match in Headingley. The 40-year-old picked up only 2 wickets in the second game, as the Aussies batters placed him exceptionally well in both innings.
“The problem for Anderson is that it hasn’t swung so far this series. They are going to need some fresh blood in the bowling attack,” Andrew Strauss added.
Just before the start of the series, James Anderson picked up the injury during the county championship while bowling on the opening day of Lancashire’s clash against Somerset, as he could not find his usual best after returning from the injury.
England Squad For Third Match Of Ashes
Ben Stokes (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Moeen Ali, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood