Ashes: Josh Tongue replaces Moeen Ali as England announce an all-seam attack for Lord’s Test
Josh Tongue has been named as Moeen Ali’s replacement for the second Ashes Test as England are going with an all-seam attack for the Lord’s Test.
Tongue has claimed a second-innings figures of 5 for 66 to set up a ten-wicket win for England against Ireland at the same venue against Ireland earlier this month.
Moeen Ali, who suffered with a burst bler on his right index finger at Edgbaston, is left out in the only change from the narrow two-wicket defeat in the series opener.
Mark Wood, England’s fastest bowler, has been overlooked once again. Seamer Chris Woakes and leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed were also overlooked in preference of Tongue. Joe Root, will be the lone spinner in the side.
The Lord’s pitch appeared reasonably green two days before the test and, should it remain that way, is expected to provide more pace and bounce than the flat track for the opener at Birmingham.
England XI: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonathan Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Josh Tongue, James Anderson