Follow the latest updates live from Lord’s as the second Ashes Test gets underway, with England looking to get back on level terms after their disheartening series-opening defeat against Australia.
A Steve Smith masterclass paved the way for Australia to fight back from the brink at Edgbaston and seize an early advantage in the five-Test series, with England also suffering an early blow in losing leading wicket-taker James Anderson to injury.
But in his absence, Jofra Archer is set to make his Test debut, while England have also dropped Moeen Ali in favour of Jack Leach in an attempt to freshen up their bowling attack. The toss is scheduled for 10: 30am, but there is rain in the air early on in west London and a disrupted five days are forecast ahead that could serious hamper play in the second Test. Follow the live updates below.
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2019-08-14T10: 40: 35.713Z
It’s still raining to Lord’s…
2019-08-14T09: 59: 21.030Z
Welcome to cricket, David
2019-08-14T09: 51: 59.250Z
Covers back on Sigh. Light rain is falling again at Lord’s.
2019-08-14T09: 36: 39.100Z
Rain updateThe covers are coming off and there will be a pitch inspection at 11: 00 if the rain holds off.It’s said that it has stopped raining in some of the nearby areas too. Fingers crossed…
2019-08-14T09: 32: 39.336Z
Lord’s goes red for RuthThe Lord’s Test will be turned red on the second day in aid of the Ruth Strauss Foundation. Andrew Strauss set up the foundation after his wife died of lung cancer in December 2018 as an initiative to provide grants for research into rare forms of the disease and to provide support for patients and their families.Lord’s will be turned red on Thursday 15 August, with players’ numbers, hats, and even the stumps changed to Ruth’s favourite colour. Both sides will wear special kits with the logo and supporters are encouraged to arrive wearing red.Andrew Strauss is hoping to emulate the success of the McGrath foundation, set up by Australian legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath in 2005 following the passing of his wife Jane. The foundation turns the annual Sydney Test completely pink for a day.“The one huge opportunity I have as an ex-cricketer is to use that platform to raise awareness for what we’re trying to do,” said the 42-year-old. “You think about the incredible work the McGrath foundation have done and is it possible to replicate that over here?“I’ve played all my cricket at Lord’s and it is an Ashes year it just felt like if the MCC are willing to make this happen then we should try and put this together.“What has blown me away since the day Ruth died has been the incredible wave of support I’ve had from the cricket family and this is an embodiment of that.”All the information about the cause and details of how to donate can be found here.
2019-08-14T09: 19: 59.676Z
England teamJoe Root declined to name the XI that will play from the 12 man squad.With Jofra Archer presumably replacing the injured Jimmy Anderson and Jack Leach in for Moeen Ali, it will most likely be Joe Denly or Sam Curran that miss out.Denly played in the first Test and scored 18 and 11 and bowled 16 overs across the two innings without a wicket. The alternative, Curran, is very handy with a red ball and is no mug with the bat. How Denly and Curran compare in Test cricketCapsDenly: 4 Curran: 10InningsDenly: 8 Curran: 18Batting averageDenly: 21.75 Curran: 31.81Highest scoreDenly: 69 Curran: 78WicketsDenly: 0 Curran: 18Joe Root on Sam Curran: “Sam’s a brilliant talent, he’s got the ability to change the game with both bat and ball, similar to Ben Stokes,” said Root, who does not invoke his vice-captain’s talents lightly.
“His record is fantastic. He has had a huge impact in most of the games he’s played, and is a very promising talent. I’m sure he will play a huge amount of Test cricket.”England XII: Rory Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Denly, Joe Root (c), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes (vc), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach
2019-08-14T09: 07: 53.780Z
While you wait…In the meantime, fill your boots with Jonathan Liew’s excellent preview of the second Test, where he asks: just what exactly does Joe Root’s England represent?
2019-08-14T08: 59: 17.403Z
Ah, the glorious British summer. Beautiful isn’t it…The toss was due to take place at 10: 30am, but the likelihood is that it will be delayed until there appears to be a brief moment without the rain.It’s all rather bleak…
2019-08-14T08: 21: 20.200Z
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the second Ashes Test between England and Australia, brought to you from a cold, wet and soggy Lord’s.It’s not looking good for England’s hopes of getting back on level terms, with rain forecast for the majority of the five days that could see the second match of the 2019 series washed out completely if the weather gods live up to the forecast.If play does get underway, England are expected to hand Jofra Archer his Test debut in place of the injured James Anderson, while Jack Leach will return to the side in place of Moeen Ali, who has been dropped.Play is scheduled to get underway at 11am, but that is on the provision that the rain stops and toss takes place as planned at 10: 30am, which seems unlikely. Follow the latest updates throughout the day as we’ll bring you all the latest news on when – if at all – we’ll be getting underway.
When is it?
The second Test takes place on 14-18 August at Lord’s.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports The Ashes and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am on each day’s play.
Team news
England: TBC
Australia: TBC
Odds
England to win: 10/3
Australia to win: 11/4
Draw: 8/11
Prediction
Draw: With rain expected to washout most – if not all – of Wednesday and Saturday and severely hamper the rest of the second Test, it’s difficult to look beyond the draw and Australia maintaining their 1-0 advantage.