Eng v Aus The Ashes, highlights today – Second test day one from Adelaide Oval (Australia) Saturday 2nd December 2017. A similar pitch to that which was used against South Africa last year was the intention for Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough, but extreme weather in the lead-up has added to the challenge. He is hopeful of a surface that will offer a good mix of pace, bounce, and spin. There could be some rain around on the first day, but the forecast for the remainder of the Test is good, with temperatures in the low 20s.

England has hedged their bets slightly with a 12-man squad, with Craig Overton entering the equation to challenge Jake Ball for a seam-bowling berth. There’s no room for the legspinner, Mason Crane, despite concerns over Moeen Ali’s spinning finger. Moeen Ali will play, even if his bowling load is reduced, with Root also able to contribute some of his part-time off-spin. Australia has confirmed an unchanged XI, with Chadd Sayers missing out on a home Test debut.

England won the toss and elected to field.

Australia team/playing XI
CT Bancroft, DA Warner, UT Khawaja, SPD Smith (c), PSP Handscomb, SE Marsh, TD Paine †, MA Starc, PJ Cummins, JR Hazlewood, NM Lyon.

England team/playing XI
AN Cook, MD Stoneman, JM Vince, JE Root (c), DJ Malan, MM Ali, JM Bairstow †, CR Woakes, SCJ Broad, C Overton, JM Anderson.

Match Timings: 14.00 start, Tea 16.00-16.20, Dinner 18.20-19.00, Close 21.00

England tour of Australia and New Zealand 2nd Test (D/N) Highlights

Umpires – Aleem Dar, Chris Gaffaney
TV Umpires – Marais Erasmus
Match Referee – Sir Richie Richardson
Reserve Umpire – Sam Nogajski
Match number – Test no. 2285