Former England middle-order batter Mark Butcher opined on the need to pick a spin bowler in the playing eleven against Australia. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that Rehan Ahmed’s inclusion could allow him to turn the ball away from the left-handers as well. Notably, Rehan Ahmed came into the squad for the second Ashes Test as a cover for off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali. The 18-year-old young leg-spinner made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi last year and claimed a fifer as well.

In his column for Sky Sports, Butcher wrote: “I think you’re going to have to pick a spin bowler, and they’ve gone for the ‘Bazball’ selection of 18-year-old Rehan Ahmed, adding him to the squad. He’s going to bowl wicket-taking deliveries, and he bowls more googlies than he does leg-spinners, so you’ll still have the option of turning the ball away from the Australian left-handers. He can also give it a slog down at number eight, which is basically what they asked Mo to do anyway.”

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However, Moeen Ali, who marked his return to Test cricket at Edgbaston, picked up three wickets. However, he injured his finger during the game and he is also doubtful for the contest at Lord’s. Mark Butcher, meanwhile warned the hosts that Australia has always had the upper hand at Lord’s, especially with England coming after losing the first Test.

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He added: “It’s a tough place for England to be in. Australia turning up at Lord’s, already 1-0 up, is huge for them. It has always been a difficult venue for England against Australia. It’s a tough place for England to be in. Australia turning up at Lord’s, already 1-0 up, is huge for them. It has always been a difficult venue for England against Australia.”