Mitchell Starc. (Photo by Gareth Copley-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The second chapter of Ashes 2023 is about to get written as England and Australia are all set to take on each other in the second Test of the series on Wednesday, June 28 at the Lord’s in London. Australia managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the first game at Edgbaston as they won the Test in a thrilling manner by two wickets.
Leading the series by 1-0, Australia wouldn’t want to change their winning combination heading into the second Test. However, former Australia seamer Jason Gillespie feels Australia should make a couple of changes to their playing XI. The 48-year-old is of the opinion that Australia should bring Mitchell Starc back into the team.
“Australia should make at least one change – and possibly two, fitness dictating – despite going to Lord’s with a 1-0 Ashes lead. I would advocate recalling Mitchell Starc to the pace attack and, unless Cameron Green is fit and able to bowl, they may look at Mitchell Marsh as an alternative option in the all-rounder role,” Gillespie told the Daily Mail.
The former fast bowler further said that Starc could come in place of Scott Boland who was attacked by England in the first Test.
“And England’s approach to Scott Boland at Edgbaston might influence Australia’s thinking on second Test selection. It was a legitimate tactic that England looked to put Scott off his game, They succeeded in hitting him off that by being ultra-aggressive, scoring at more than six an over in the first innings and five in the second,” he added.
Australia seek first Ashes series win on English soil since 2001
Notably, Australia dropped Starc for the first Test to make way for Josh Hazlewood who recovered from an injury. Scott Boland, who had a great game in the World Test Championship final 2023 failed to impress in the Ashes opener as he leaked runs at over 5 runs per over throughout the Test and just picked two wickets.
It will be interesting to see if the team management makes a change to the playing XI as the Aussies look to win their first Ashes series in England since 2001. On the other hand, England will look to make a roaring comeback after being humbled in the first game.