London: The second Ashes Test, which begins at Lord's on June 28th, will include one alteration to the starting lineup for the hosts, according to former England batsman Kevin Pietersen.
Ben Duckett should be replaced in the starting XI by Ben Foakes, a specialist wicketkeeper-batter, according to Pietersen, who turned 43 today (June 27). The declaration follows Jonny Bairstow's difficulty behind the stumps on his return to Test cricket. However, Pietersen prefers to keep playing Bairstow at the top of the order as a pure batter.
Also Read: India-Pakistan Rivalry Renewed: Cricket's Biggest Clash Returns to World Cup Stage
Australia won the opening Ashes match at Edgbaston by two wickets, despite the hosts dropping six catches, missing a stumping opportunity, and taking a wicket from a no-ball.
In his Betway blog, the legendary England batter wrote:
“I don't think the England team is going to change, that's not what McCullum and Stokes do, but I would get Foakes in if they're going to play on flat wickets. I would get him in as quickly as possible.”
Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 schedule by venues
Pietersen continued:
“Bairstow has to bat, of course, but I'd drop Duckett and have Bairstow at the top of the order, or just move everybody up one spot and play Foakes as the keeper. That's what I would do.”
It's worth noting that Duckett scored 12 and 19 in the first Ashes Test.
Kevin Pietersen also wants England to continue with the services of all-rounder Moeen Ali instead of putting in young leg-spinnerRehan Ahmed under pressure. He said:
“England are a better team with Moeen Ali, and were a better team in the first Test with him bowling properly, but you can't help an injury. If Moeen isn’t fit, I probably would’ve picked Liam Dawson, but these guys are risk-takers, so they're going to an 18-year-old. The safer bet would have been a left-arm spinner who bowls the same as Leach, but they have taken the risky route.”
Also Read: Former Pakistani Cricketer Wasim Akram Supports Pakistan-India Match in Ahmedabad
Pietersen emphasised that England paid for the early declaration in the first Test. The veteran noted that the home team will be under strain, but he also predicted that Australian mainstays Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will face equal pressure at Lord's. He stated:
“The pressure's on England. What England have done, unfortunately, is put unnecessary pressure on themselves by declaring too early in the first Test. That is craziness because of the pressure that they're now under going into the second match. They just have to win this Test.”
Pietersen added:
“Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne didn't get any runs in the first Test because Stuart Broad was too good for them. People are saying Smith and Labuschagne aren’t going to miss out at Lord’s. They might not, but I also know when you come in as a big player and you miss out in the first Test match, you're under tremendous pressure to perform in the second.”
Also Read: Muralitharan Reveals Dhoni's Decision to Bat Ahead of Yuvraj in 2011 World Cup Finals