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'Mark Wood In Contention For 2nd Ashes Test': England Head Coach Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum, the current head coach of the England cricket Test team, has confirmed that the 33-year-old pace bowler Mark Wood will come into contention for selection at Lord's after missing the first Test. With James Anderson's struggle to find rhythm in the first Test match of the Ashes 2023, Wood could come in to replace Anderson to offer a different dimension to the English pace bowling line-up. "Woody's a great bowler. He offers a real point of difference and he'll always come into consideration for selection - especially on wickets that need a little bit more pace. That's the beauty of having a good squad: we've got guys to pick from," McCullum said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

"Surprised Us How...": Australia Coach On England's Tactics vs Scott Boland

Australia men's coach Andrew McDonald revealed on Thursday that, while he anticipated England to be aggressive in the opening Test of the Ashes, the way they handled pacer Scott Boland "surprised" his squad. Before the series, Boland has 33 wickets at an average of 14.57 and an economy rate of 2.32 from eight Tests. The hosts, on the other hand, threw him off his length from the start at Edgbaston, including through Joe Root's lap shots. The right-arm seamer averaged 5.65 runs per over and took only two wickets in the match.

"Just Didn't Do That": Michael Vaughan's Honest Take On England's Loss In Ashes Opener

England captain Ben Stokes' decision to declare their first inning backfired as Australia won the first Ashes Test by 2 wickets to go 1-0 in the series. Stokes defied convention by declaring on the opening day with England 393-8 in their first innings with Joe Root batting on 118. His decision faced a lot flak from several current and former players, including ex-England captain Michael Vaughan. With the second Test set to start in a week's time at The Lord's, Vaughan said he will surprised if England don't play cautiously.

Brendon Mccullum Defends Jonny Bairstow's Performance In First Ashes Test Against Australia

England head coach Brendon McCullum defended wicket-keeper batter Jonny Bairstow's performance despite his errors in the first Ashes Test, which England lost by two wickets, adding "at No. 7 is a real weapon for us." Bairstow was guilty of failing to go for Usman Khawaja's catch in James Anderson's second innings over while the Australian opener was batting on 5. In the second innings, Khawaja hit a match-winning 65. Bairstow also dropped Alex Carey twice and failed to stump Cameron Green. The senior batter took five catches, but it was his squandered opportunities that earned him criticism after England lost a close encounter in Birmingham.

Ashes 2023: Tim Paine Explains Where Australia Have 'Advantage' Over England

It would be advantage Australia during the Ashes as they can play at "different tempos", while England only know how to play "really hard", feels former Test skipper of the touring side Time Paine. Paine, a wicketkeeper-batter, had stepped down as Australia captain days before the last Ashes series at home due to a 'sexting' scandal and was replaced by pacer Pat Cummins as Test skipper. Australia defeated Ben Stokes' England by two wickets in a thrilling Ashes opener at Edgbaston with Cummins scoring an unbeaten 44 and guiding the visitors to victory when things had started to look difficult.

"We'll Go Little Harder...": Brendon Mccullum Ready For Bazball 2.0 In Lord's Test

Despite a two-wicket setback against Australia, England head coach Brendon McCullum feels the first Ashes Test "validated" his team's aggressive strategy and expects his side to "go a little harder" in the second Test at Lord's next week. England scored 4.61 runs per over and targeted Australia's bowlers from the first ball when Zak Crawley smacked Pat Cummins through the covers for four. However, Australia won the match on the last day by scoring 3.20 runs per over across the five days and consistently posting defensive fields.

"Even Brought My Name Into...": Ricky Ponting Fumes At England Star's Trash Talk

England pacer Ollie Robinson has courted plenty of attention for his antics in the first Ashes Test. His duels with Usman Khawaja were well noted by the cricketing fraternity and the pacer was even asked about the same in the press conference. After Robinson cited the examples of Ricky Ponting and other former Australian cricketers over the Khawaja sledging episode, the former Aussie skipper has given a sharp retort, calling English pacer a 'slow learner' while questioning his bowling too.

Watch: James Anderson Turns Peacekeeper To Dissolve Ollie Robinson-Usman Khawaja Altercation

The thrilling first Ashes Test match between England and Australia ended in the favour of the Pat Cummins-led side on Tuesday by two wickets. Playing in Birmingham, the visitors held their nerves as Cummins (44*) and Nathan Lyon (16*) stitched an unbeaten partnership of 55 runs and took their side across the line in the chase of 281. Cricket is considered as the gentleman's game but sometimes the intensity of the contest makes the players lose their cool on the field. An example of that was seen during the match when Australia opener Usman Khawaja engaged in an exchange of words with England pacer Ollie Robinson.

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'Mark Wood In Contention For 2nd Ashes Test': England Head Coach Brendon McCullum

"Surprised Us How...": Australia Coach On England's Tactics vs Scott Boland

"Just Didn't Do That": Michael Vaughan's Honest Take On England's Loss In Ashes Opener

Brendon Mccullum Defends Jonny Bairstow's Performance In First Ashes Test Against Australia

Ashes 2023: Tim Paine Explains Where Australia Have 'Advantage' Over England

"We'll Go Little Harder...": Brendon Mccullum Ready For Bazball 2.0 In Lord's Test

"Even Brought My Name Into...": Ricky Ponting Fumes At England Star's Trash Talk

Watch: James Anderson Turns Peacekeeper To Dissolve Ollie Robinson-Usman Khawaja Altercation