Ashes 2023: Top 5 Player Battles to Watch Out for in Lord’s Test

David Warner and Stuart Broad. (Photo Source: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Following the blockbuster first Test of Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston, action will now move to Lord’s, London, where the second contest of the distinguished tournament will be played between England and Australia. In the intriguing series opener, Australia clinched a two-wicket victory with the help of all-round performance of their captain Pat Cummins.

In the second game, Australia will look to continue the winning momentum at the iconic stadium, while England will strive to make a comeback in the second contest and open their victory account. In the upcoming match, some enticing contests will be witnessed by fans as battles between some quality players from both sides will be a treat to the eyes.

Here are five player battles to look out for

5. Ben Stokes vs Josh Hazlewood

Ben Stokes and  Josh Hazlewood. (Photo Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

England skipper Ben Stokes struggled with the bat in the first Test. Facing Josh Hazlewood in the first innings, Stokes got dismissed on one. This was the second occasion when the southpaw gave his wicket to the Aussie speedster in the longest form of the game.

In the second Test, Stokes’ endeavours will be to lead from the front and contribute something solid to his team in all departments of the game. Hazlewood, who took three wickets in the last game, will look forward to spearheading Australia’s bowling unit efficiently.

So far, both Hazlewood and Stokes have faced each other in 14 innings, in which the England captain has scored 103 runs. While Hazlewood has the upper hand over Stokes, dismissing the 32-year-old a couple of times in the prestigious Ashes competition.

4. Joe Root vs Pat Cummins

Joe Root and Pat Cummins. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Pat Cummins led the Aussies from the front in the first Test at Edgbaston. Grabbing four wickets in the second innings, the pacer helped his team to wrap the hosts on an average total of 273. With the bat, the Aussie skipper piled up 44 runs and took his team comfortably, along with Nathan Lyon.

While on the other side, Joe Root also exuded confidence with his bat in the series opener. In the first innings of the match, the batting veteran played an unbeaten 118-run knock against the quality Aussie bowling line-up. The right-handed batter continued his good work in the second innings and amassed 46 runs off just 55 deliveries.

In the next contest at Lord’s, the clash between Root and Cummins will be worth watching. Thus far, Cummins has dominated Root with the ball as the former has picked up the latter eight times in the Ashes tournament.

3. Harry Brook vs Nathan Lyon

Harry Brook and Nathon Lyon. (Photo Source: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Harry Brook looked confident against the arch-rivals in the first Test at Edgbaston. With scores of 32 and 46, the young England batter supported his team in the match. However, in the first innings of the game, he got dismissed in an unfortunate manner off Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon’s delivery.

In the second innings, Lyon hunted Brook again to bring his team back into the game. Ahead of the competition, Brook had issued a statement, saying, “I am going to try and take him on.” In the maiden Test against the Aussies, Brook strived to take Lyon to the cleaners but the Aussie veteran got the better of the young England player in the end.

Facing the spinner in the couple of innings of the previous Test, the 24-year-old accumulated 35 runs off just 43 deliveries, with four fours. At Lord’s, Brook will look forward to bringing Lyon down with his fierce batting skills to help his side dominate the visitors.

2. Usman Khawaja vs Ollie Robinson

Ollie Robinson and Khawaja. (Photo Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Usman Khawaja showcased his mettle with the bat at Edgbaston, with his match-winning knocks of 141 and 65. In the first innings, the left-handed batter came heavily on England bowlers and smashed a century to take his team close to England’s colossal total of 393.

Ollie Robinson, who dismissed Khawaja in the first innings at a score of 141, sledged the Aussie stalwart. In the second innings, Robinson again tried to incite Khawaja but after the game, both players interacted with each other and everything concluded in a positive manner. However, coming hard on the England pacer, former Australia players Michael Clarke and Matthew Hayden lambasted Robinson for his behaviour.

Following the backlash from the Aussie veterans, Robinson will strive to win the newborn rivalry between him and Khawaja with the ball. In the first Test, Khawaja dashed Robinson with his defence, scoring 32 runs off 130 deliveries.

1. David Warner vs Stuart Broad

David Warner and Stuart Broad. (Photo Source:  Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

David Warner is in the last stage of his Test career, and in the remaining four games of the Ashes, he will strive to deliver his best with the bat against England. In the first Test, Warner looked out of colours as he could accumulate only scores of nine and 36.

Stuart Broad, who has dominating numbers against Warner, launched an onslaught against Warner in the first innings, sending the veteran opener back to the pavilion on a paltry nine. Scalping Warner in the first innings, Broad got successful against the ferocious opener for the 15th time in the history of the Ashes. The England pacer will now try to continue his dominating approach against the southpaw in the next game in London as well.

On the other side, Warner will try to work on his shortcomings and amass confidence to counter Broad in the upcoming game. Till now, the Australia opener has scored 402 runs against Broad in 47 innings.