England Playing XI: Dan Lawrence likely to be drafted in XI- England are likely to bring in Dan Larence back in the playing XI and set to persist with opener Zak Crawley and give him another. However, the question remains on Stuart Broad’s inclusion. The visitors will hope the New Year brings them luck amid pressure from former players and pundits. Follow Ashes 2021-22 live updates on InsideSport.IN
England skipper Joe Root asked for a “red ball reset”, saying England’s administrators have allowed the longest format to stagnate at the expense of one-day and T20 cricket.
England Playing XI vs AUS: Stuart Broad doubtful, Dan Lawrence likely to be drafted in Playing XI in dead rubber- Follow LIVE updates
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Eng playing XI
- Haseeb Hameed
- Zak Crawley
- Dawid Malan
- Joe Root (c)
- Ben Stokes
- Jonny Bairstow (WK)
- Jos Buttler (wk)/ Dan Lawrence
- Mark Wood,
- Ollie Robinson,
- Jack Leach,
- James Anderson
England Playing XI vs AUS: Stuart Broad doubtful, Dan Lawrence likely to be drafted in Playing XI in dead rubber- Follow LIVE updates
Key Points
- England are out of options for Sydney’s dead rubber on January 5.
- Zak Crawley likely to stay as opener while questions loom over Haseeb Hameed.
- Dan Lawrence is tipped to feature in middle-order batsmen but will England drop out-of-form Jos Buttler.
Openers
None of England’s openers — Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed and Zak Crawley — have shown themselves capable of handling Australia’s pace with the new ball, which has placed huge pressure on Root and the middle order.
“The worry is I’m not sure who’s next in for them,” former Australia captain Mark Taylor told the Nine Network.
England Playing XI vs AUS: Stuart Broad doubtful, Dan Lawrence likely to be drafted in Playing XI in dead rubber- Follow LIVE updates
Middle-order
With both Burns and middle-order batsman Ollie Pope dumped after Adelaide, and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler in dire form, selectors have few bullets left to fire. With the series lost, they may opt to persist with Crawley and invest more time in Pope or possibly give eight-Test Essex batsman Dan Lawrence a chance.
Bowling department
England’s bowlers could at least leave Melbourne with their heads held high, having restricted Australia to 267. The balance of England’s attack with seamers Anderson, Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson, and a much-improved performance from spinner Jack Leach, proved the most effective of the series so far and could see veteran Stuart Broad sidelined again.
England Playing XI vs AUS: Stuart Broad doubtful, Dan Lawrence likely to be drafted in Playing XI in dead rubber- Follow LIVE updates
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Editors pick
