England vs Australia · Lord's Test preview

Pre-series read

The series arrives at Lord's with both teams in the middle of an inheritance question. England have blooded three players since the last Ashes, two of them in the top seven. Australia have retained the core but added an opener who has not played a Test at home. The Lord's surface is expected to take spin from day two, which favours the home side's allrounder depth.

Tactical read

The series will be decided by the fourth-innings chase. Lord's has averaged 280 in winning fourth-innings totals over the last five years, with the surface flattening on days three and four before turning sharply on day five. The captain who bowls first in conditions that favour the seamers on day one and the spinners on day four has historically won the toss. Both captains will want to bowl first.

What to watch

• Whether England blood the young allrounder at seven or stick with the experienced player who has played at Lord's three times.
• Whether Australia play the returning opener or stick with the incumbent, who has averaged 38 in England.
• Whether the seamers are rotated through the first two sessions or held back for the morning session on day two.

Related coverage

• Match preview: England vs Australia · Ashes
• England team page
• Australia team page
• ICC World Test Championship · Competition page