Day one of second Ashes Test – England out to bounce back

Ben Stokes’ side trail 1-0 after defeat in the series opener at Edgbaston.

Published Jun 28, 2023

Ben Stokes will lead England out at Lord’s this morning, fronting a side in need of an Ashes victory and a sport that has been rocked by more revelations of discrimination.

Stokes faced the media exactly a week on from their nail-biting fifth-day defeat by Australia at Edgbaston, but began his captain’s press conference on Tuesday by addressing the damning report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket.

In his position as men’s Test captain, Stokes took it upon himself to issue an apology to anyone who had been impacted by the entrenched culture of racism, sexism and elitism described in the long-awaited report.

Those above Stokes in the food chain have three months to prepare their response, but, for the next five days, his job lies between the boundary ropes as he seeks to square the series after an enterprising but unsuccessful outing in Birmingham.

England have made one change to their side, recalling rookie seamer Josh Tongue in place of Moeen Ali to leave part-timer Joe Root as the main spin option. Australia have delayed their call, but will be tempted to unleash left-armer Mitchell Starc.

What they said

Crawley’s Chinese lesson

Zak Crawley (left) made a surprising intervention during a team meeting this week. — Zak Crawley (left) made a surprising intervention during a team meeting this week (Mike Egerton/PA)

Lyon’s landmark

Anderson hopes to hit back

Anderson had a forgettable outing in the first Test. — James Anderson had a forgettable outing in the first Test (Mike Egerton/PA)

All eyes on ‘the mouth from the south’

Ollie Robinson has established himself as public enemy number one. — Ollie Robinson has established himself as public enemy number one in Australia (Mike Egerton/PA)