Having won 10 of their previous 12 Test matches, Ben Stokes-led team England is all set to face Ireland in a one-off Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground from today onwards. The much hyped up captain-coach duo of Stokes and Brendon Mccullum will be back in action in the longest format after the cricketing fraternity witnessed the culmination of an enthralling 16th season of the Indian Premier League.
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Following their tradition, England have already disclosed their playing XI for the Test. With an eye on the imminent Ashes series, the think-tank has decided to make some notable exclusions from their side.
Veteran pacer James Anderson and Ollie Robinson are nursing their respective, minor injuries and have failed to find their berth. The 25-year-old fast bowler from Worcestershire Josh Tongue will be handed his maiden Test cap today, after being preferred over the experienced allrounder Chris Woakes.
Ireland, on the other hand, will be without the services of their lead pacer Joshua Little. The left-arm seamer has been rested after having featured in the IPL final on Monday night, and with no Red-ball practice for quite some time.
England vs Ireland Pitch Report of Today’s 1st Test at Lord’s Ground
Pitch at the Lord’s Cricket Ground has often helped the pacers during the initial couple of days with seam movement and swing. A decent tinge of grass at the pitch on match eve certainly would have had the new ball bowlers licking their lips.
However, overall, the track has usually turned up as a balanced one for both batters and bowlers in the longest format. Conditions for batting is likely to get better with the semi-new ball and the old ball as the match progresses. Spinners are likely to get some help, but not enough to threaten the batters each time they are brought into the attack.
The average first innings score here in Tests has been 311 runs, with the captain winning the Toss expected to bowl first.
“Unless I can’t walk, I’ll be on the field” – Stokes
The England skipper is all set to give it his all to fulfill his role as an allrounder, having perhaps recovered pretty well with respect to his left knee injury.
Having bowled only nine overs during England’s previous away Test series against New Zealand, Stokes has confirmed that his knee is in much better condition than it was during the second match of the series in Welllington around three months ago.
With eyes on the all-important imminent Ashes series, the 31-year-old remarked that his body is back to the level of fitness it was in during the 2019-20 period. The Durham allrounder has claimed to have worked pretty hard while he was in Chennai during the recently concluded IPL season.
