Finn and Cowan possible casualties for Lord’s Test

Wow! It’s fair to say, that the first Investec Ashes Test of the summer was an absolute belter. With more twist and turns than a Monaco Grand Prix and drama lurking around every corner, the Trent Bridge encounter was one of the most dramatic Test matches of the decade. In a match reminiscent of the Edgbaston 2005 Ashes Test, it was again England who triumphed by the smallest of margins. The tiniest of inside edges proved to be the difference between the two sides, as Jimmy Anderson took his 10^th wicket of the match to remove Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin. It was a case of so near yet so far once again for the crestfallen Australians.

But if the first Test is anything to go by, the remaining nine matches of this year’s Ashes double-whammy are going to an enthralling contest. England hold a 1-0 lead going into the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday and have subsequently named an unchanged squad. Whilst the batting line-up will remain untouched, there is a strong possibility that England may make a change in the bowling department, with Tim Bresnan potentially coming in to replace Steven Finn.

Finn, who took match figures of 2-117, is clearly short of confidence and rhythm. As the second Australian 10^th wicket stand threatened to change the game, Brad Haddin targeted the lacklustre Finn, hitting him for three boundaries in the one over. Sky pundit Bob Willis suggested Finn’s below-par performance was due in part to England’s preference to prepare a flat, turning wicket, in order to favour the spin of Graeme Swann. Michael Clarke believes England will continue to prepare such pitches, and therefore Finn’s undoubted threat on bouncier, faster wickets could thus be nullified. Jonathan Agnew believes Finn needs game time with his county side Middlesex in order to regain his confidence. However, with the next Test at his home ground, there may still yet be hope that Finn might retain his place. Nasser Hussain has called for Finn to play at Lord’s, providing there is a bit of pace in the pitch. Yet if the wicket throws up another slow, low deck, it is highly likely that Tim Bresnan will be introduced into the series. Having bowled well in the Champions Trophy and scored a ton in England’s warm-up match against Essex, the Yorkshireman undoubtedly deserves a place in the side.

As for the Australians, it is likely their side will remain similar also. Although Jackson Bird and Nathan Lyon will hope to play a part in the series, strong performances from Siddle, Starc, Pattinson and Agar mean the Australians will probably stick with their current bowling unit. One position in the XI that may come under consideration however is the number 3 slot, after a below-par performance in the first Test by Ed Cowan. Cowan, who made a golden duck in the first innings and was dismissed by the part-time off-spin of Joe Root in the second, was a complete nervous wreck at the crease. The shot he played first ball to James Anderson looked every bit the stroke of a man playing in his first Ashes Test and whilst many of his Test mates rose to the occasion, Cowan crumbled under the pressure. David Warner and Usman Khawaja will thus believe they have a chance to break into the team at some point during the series, although Cowan will probably be given another chance at Lord’s. Both fans and selectors alike will be hoping that (if selected) he can regain his composure for his second Ashes Test.

See you at Lord’s.