England go into the second Ashes test 1-0 down after a shocking two-day defeat at Perth Stadium. Ben Stokes’ five-wicket haul helped England bowl Australia out for 132 on day one. However, a pair of England batting collapses led to a dismal eight-wicket defeat inside two days.
Looking Forward to Second Ashes Test
Both sides now focus on the second test at the Gabba, Brisbane. England face a daunting day-night test match against Australia’s commanding pink-ball record of 13 wins from 14, including all three games against England.
The Ashes is far from over, but England now faces a serious examination. The previous Ashes series shows that recovering after an opening test defeat down under is no easy feat.
The first test left several questions: Can England balance their “bazball” attack with sensible batting? Will England’s top order recover from those two collapses in Perth? Can Ben Stokes and Brendan McCullum help England reclaim their confidence in Brisbane?
Australia Team & News
Australia team: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett
Australia’s opening batsman, Usman Khawaja, hasn’t recovered from back spasms. So, Travis Head will open the batting. Head notched a century in the first test.
England Team & News
England team: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer.
England likes to go on the attack under coach Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes’ captaincy. But the Perth loss showed a lack of discipline.
There’s a recall for spinner Will Jacks, who replaces the injured Mark Wood. It’s Jack’s first test in three years, as Ben Stokes opts for variation in the bowling attack.
Seconds Ashes Test Prediction
England haven’t won a test match at the Gabba in nine tests – or 39 years! Yet, Australia have won just two of the last five tests there.
The Gabba pitch has plenty of pace and bounce. How England handles the pink-ball wizardry of Mitchell Starc could decide this second Ashes test.