Ashes Second Test Teams: Starc pushing for recall ahead of Boland or Hazlewood, England facing dilemmas in key areas

London’s fickle weather and Australia’s squad mentality look set to play in Mitchell Starc’s favour as he tries to regain his place for the second Ashes Test. 

England are facing several selection dramas as they try to draw level in the series after just their third loss in 14 starts under the Brendon McCullum/Ben Stokes era.

Australia are back preparing for the clash at Lord’s, which gets underway on Wednesday, after the players were given a three-day break following the rousing two-wicket win at Edgbaston. 

Their only selection dilemma is whether to bring Starc into the bowling attack for Scott Boland or Josh Hazlewood as they try to establish a 2-0 lead in the face of England’s Bazball onslaught.

Boland was targeted by the English batters in Birmingham, going at 5.65 an over in taking a wicket in each innings, while Hazlewood looked a little short of a gallop after his lengthy layoff but took 2-61 in the first dig and 1-48 in the second.

Counting against Starc is

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