There was controversy, and an overdue dash of Ben Stokes genius; it was another classic Ashes Test at Lord’s.
After Long Room scuffles and allegations of ‘cheating’ though, the bottom line is Australia hold a 2-0 series lead.
As the two sides travel north to Headingley for the Third Test, in sporting parlance, it’s now do-or-die for Bazball.
Stokes and England will hope they can string together a fully coherent performance and put the Jonny Bairstow wicket debate (and the scoreline) to one side.
What will be the next chapter in this enthralling series, starting on Thursday?
Replacements on tap
To compound defeat at Lord’s for England fans, then came the sobering news that vice-captain Ollie Pope will miss the rest of this series with a dislocated shoulder.
However, could that could deliver something of a silver lining?
As disappointing as injury is for Pope himself, the Surrey right-hander has laboured.
Failing to pass 50 against the Baggy Greens this summer, Australia are yet to bow.
Gutted for you, @OPope32 😢
Get well soon 💪#Ashes | #ENGvAUS
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 4, 2023
Step up, Dan Lawrence.
The Essex batter may average less than 30 in his 11 Test matches so far, but given his big shot will be bent on proving a point.
For the tourists, despite taking a tighter grip on the urn, the absence of Nathan Lyon due to a calf injury, is undoubtedly the bigger miss.
Again on-song in English conditions, the off-spinner had hoped to hunt down 500 Test wickets this series.
Lyon’s uncanny knack of snagging pivotal wickets leaves a big void.
While Cummins’ side were able to hobble over the line at Lord’s, calling upon the inexperienced Todd Murphy could present issues.
Murphy is highly-rated but at 22, has played just four Tests. England will be targeting him with an ultra-aggressive approach.
Tactical changes
Aside from Pope’s enforced absence, Stokes is set to make changes to his bowling attack.
James Anderson has looked a shadow of himself in this series, taking a measly three wickets across the two Tests.
With a run of back-to-back Tests, Anderson will be rested ahead a home return at Old Trafford.
Josh Tongue and Ollie Robinson are also set to make way.
Stuart Broad remains a major thorn in Australia’s side meanwhile, as a healed Moeen Ali and Mark Wood come in.
Chris Woakes is also in contention for a rare start.
Having missed the raw pace that Wood provides, Ali’s position as frontline spinner and No.8 batter will give the hosts much-needed balance.
Major changes for England team in the 3rd Test. [The Telegraph]:
– Rest for Anderson & Tongue.
– Harry Brook to bat at 3.
– Mark Wood, Chris Woakes & Moeen Ali in the 11. pic.twitter.com/593lCMcNhy— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 4, 2023
For Australia, changes may be at a premium but coach Andrew McDonald could yet employ rotation of his own.
Josh Hazlewood appears the the most likely to drop out, with skipper Pat Cummins and a rejuvenated Mitchell Starc holding the fort.
Scott Boland is a possible recall also, but England would probably rather face him than Hazlewood at Headingley.
Ashes betting
With England in a must-win position and with needle now injected into the series, it all adds up to whet the appetite.
Here’s how the Ashes betting looks:
Australia are now as short as 1/8 to take home the urn, with England out to 12/1 with some bookmakers.
For the Test alone, it’s 16/10 if you fancy England, with the Aussies 5/4 to go into an unassailable 3-0 lead.
