Ashes selection debate rages as Aussies faced with greentop at Lord’s

A former England captain has weighed in on a selection headache facing Australia ahead of the second Test with bad news for one star.

With the chance to go 2-0 up in an away Ashes series for the first time since 2001, the Australians have a selection headache on their hands after the English, inspired by coach Brendon McCullum’s “Bazball” approach, went after the typically miserly Scott Boland on a dead Edgbaston wicket.

With Boland accustomed to the harsh, unforgiving conditions of the MCG, his lack of movement in the air, usually compensated by surface movement, was exploited by Ben Stokes’ charges.

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Boland took 2-147 across 26 overs for the match, and was the least economical of the Australian quicks as Pat Cummins set defensive fields to try and contain the swashbuckling Poms.

After snatching defeat from the jaws of victory on a pitch that (by request) offered no assistance to the bowlers at Edgbaston, the English appear to have requested a greentop at Lord’s, with early photos appearing to show significantly more live grass on the surface.

It raises the question of whether the Australians recall spurned pace bowler Mitchell Starc in place of Boland, or keep the faith on a wicket that may do significantly more for the Victorian.

Boland was targeted by the English in the first Test. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said he thought Australia should stay with their talisman in Boland, who until the first Test had taken 33 Test wickets from 8 matches at a faintly believable average of 14.57.

“If there’s lateral movement and it looks like it’s going to do anything, I think they have to play Boland once again and go with the same team,” Vaughan said.

“I think they should have used Starc at Edgbaston because it was flat and leave Boland for Lord’s.”

Mark Waugh, joining Vaughan on Fox Cricket, agreed.

“He’s (Boland) the perfect bowler for Lord’s, because if you hit the line and length the natural variation makes you dangerous,” Waugh said.

“It’s going to be a tough call because they want to bring Starc in, that extra pace through the air gives variety to what is pretty much the same Australian bowling attack with tall right-armers.

“It could go either way.”

It would be only Starc’s second ever Test at the home of cricket if selected, with the left-armer often considered the first man dropped in English conditions.

In 2015, Starc played all five Tests of the series, but in 2019, he was overlooked for James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Josh Hazlewood, only playing the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

The Lord's pitch, a day out from the second Ashes Test. Photo: Daniel Cherny on Twitter

Starc is used to being dropped in England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Starc told media he was unfazed by whether or not he played, and was used to being dropped.

“I’m used to it now coming to England,” Starc said.

“It’s a squad mentality, much the same as last time.

“Been around long enough, been dropped enough.

“Probably dropped the most in this squad. Not something new to me, won’t be the last time either.

“It’s never fun, everyone wants to play.”

While much is made of the 2.5m slope that runs north to south at Lord’s, Starc said it wouldn’t affect him.

“It’s probably more visual than anything,” he said.

“I didn’t find it too much of an adjustment because it’s got a slope.”

Former Australian captain Tim Paine, who led the side on the 2019 Ashes tour, said he expected the Australians to select Starc for the second Test.

Steve Smith inspects the pitch ahead of the Lord’s Test. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Paine, speaking to Gerard Whateley on SEN, said he expected the fast bowling group to be rotated given the schedule of the tour.

“It’s critical when you are playing in a five-match series, we are playing six Test matches in six weeks, so there is no doubt that those fast bowlers are going to be rotated,” Paine said.

“I think they will bring Starc in for Boland.

“Again, not dropping Scott Boland, he has been unbelievable but we need all of these bowlers to play a role at some stage in these Ashes.

“I think the only guy they will try and get through the five Tests is obviously our captain Pat Cummins.

“I am really excited to see Mitchell Starc play again because of the way England are batting. I think with his extra airspeed and the different angles he can create from over and around the wicket with them being super-positive, he is going to create so many opportunities.

“So that’s going to be awesome to watch. He will also bring Nathan Lyon into the game even more with his footmarks. But if they produce a wicket that gives any assistance to the bowlers, Scott Boland is probably the first pick.”

Originally published as Ashes selection debate rages as Aussies faced with greentop at Lord’s