Bazball breaking England’s bowlers but Aussie quicks stay fresh with rested Starc in contention for Lord’s Test

England’s approach to Test cricket could come back to bite their bowlers in the Ashes with Australia’s attack enjoying an almost 40 per cent lighter workload in the series opener.

Australia’s selectors will weigh up in the coming days what attack to name for the second Test at Lord’s, starting on Wednesday.

Scott Boland appears the man most under threat, with Mitchell Starc ready for a recall if selectors decide on the variety of a fast left-armer.

Regardless of which 11 players Australia put out, they will almost certainly be fresher than England’s. The host’s aggressive strokeplay and first-innings declaration meant Australia were only asked to send down 144.2 overs in the opening match of the series, well below their average of 163.5 overs a Test over the past decade.

Australia’s bowlers were also able to enjoy two full days off the field, with Pat Cummins asked to do the most work of the quicks with 32.2 overs for the match.