‘England waalo bachke raho’ – Fans react as Mitchell Starc replaces Scott Boland in Australian playing XI for second Ashes 2023 Test

Ace pacer Mitchell Starc has been selected the Australian playing XI for the second Ashes Test at the historic Lords Cricket Ground. Starc has replaced Scott Boland and will be the pace spearhead for the visitors in the second Test of a five-match series. Australia are already 1-0 in the series after registering a thrilling two-wicket win on the final day of the Birmingham Test.

Starc wasn’t included in the playing XI for the first Test and was last seen in action in the World Test Championship final against India at the Oval where he scalped 4 wickets in both innings and took big wickets of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. Meanwhile, Boland struggled to make an impact in the first Test, with the hosts’ aggressive batting line-up targeting the quick throughout.

On the other hand, the hosts, England already announced their playing XI a day prior to the second Test, where they included Joshua Tongue replacing Moeen Ali in the XI. Moeen, who came out of Test retirement after two years, ended up taking 3 wickets in the first Test. While, the 25-year-old Tongue is all set to make his Ashes at the historic Lords Cricket ground.

England looking to make a comeback in the series

Summarising the first match, England declared their first innings on 393 runs for the loss of 8 wickets. Joe Root was the top scorer with 118 runs off 152 balls. In reply, Australia was bowled out for 386 runs, powered by Usman Khawaja’s knock of 141 runs off 321 balls, trailing by just 7 runs in the first innings.

Coming to bat in the second innings, England were bowled out for 273 runs due to handful knocks by Root, Harry Brook and the skipper Ben Stokes. After that, there was a tough fight between both teams when Australia were chasing the target. The visitors were taking the score further, while England was taking wickets at regular wickets. After that, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon put up an unbeaten partnership of 55 runs for the ninth wicket and gave Australia a thrilling victory.

I can predict what will happen. Scotty bowled in a road in test 1, will get another chance later in the series on another road, and they won't pick him on Boland type wickets.

— Frank Daniels (@dfranc76) June 28, 2023

Talking from an English POV. Boland would be dangerous on this wicket, whoever got left out would feel hard done by. I would have left Hazlewood out, not because of form/ability, but he has had one game after a long lay off. Give him the rest as he is the workhorse of the team

— #PUSB 🩵 (@ArrenWoodward) June 28, 2023

First game was probably the pitch to play Starc and omit Boland. Doesn’t make as much sense at Lords but I’m not against it either.

— Archie’s Burner (@nathanxromeo) June 28, 2023

Boland should have played on green top. Yeah they want starc who could swing the ball but still they should have sticked with boland. Maybe Hazzlewood would have been rested

— Saket sinha (@Saketsi56995128) June 28, 2023

The poms play four seamers – that’s tells you something – so we drop ours. Good luck to Starc, let’s hope he stays on line. I hope we don’t regret the change.

— B.O.G. (@BonoboBeau) June 28, 2023

Hazlewood should be carrying the drinks
Boland at least moves the ball
But glad Starc is in
Bring on the chin music

— brennoandmick (@brennoandmick) June 28, 2023

The pitch looks green from afar, is it similar to what South Africa played on last year?
Bazball came unstuck in that test!
Pleasing to see we managed to find room for a frontline spinner and a frontline keeper.

— Yazo Spatsflute (@spatsflute) June 28, 2023

Would’ve like to see Boland bowl on this Lord’s wicket but I’ve seen Starc do better after being dropped. Hope he can find some swing.

— Second Half FC (@FriendlyOz14) June 28, 2023