BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 20: Moeen Ali of England looks on during Day Five of the LV= Insurance Ashes 1st Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston on June 20, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
England will head into the second Ashes Test without a frontline spinner after Moeen Ali was dropped from the side.
Ali, who was a late call up into the Ashes squad, returning from his red ball retirement, struggled on a dry, lifeless wicket at Edgbaston in the first Test against the Australians..
Ultimately, he took 2 for 147 in the first innings, before backing that up with 1 for 57 in the second innings as he struggled with issues on his spinning finger.
He was comprehensively outplayed by Nathan Lyon, who took four wickets in each innings to prove a major difference for Australia, who chased down 281 in famous seasons during the final overs of the contest.
Images of the pitch at Lord's have shown a far greener looking wicket in the lead up the contest, and England have pulled the trigger on a big change, bringing seam bowler Josh Tongue in for Ali.
It means England will play without a front line spinner, with Joe Root their most realistic option to now deliver opens of slower bowling.
Tongue will join veterans Stuart Broad and James Anderson, as well as Ollie Robinson in the four-pronged pace attack for the hosts, which is also backed up by all-rounder Ben Stokes.
England have made no other changes, with the top seven remaining the same for the second Test of the series.
Australia are expected to not name a team until the toss, with play to start at 8pm (AEST) on Thursday evening.
1. Ben Duckett
2. Zak Crawley
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ben Stokes (c)
7. Jonathan Bairstow (wk)
8. Stuart Broad
9. Ollie Robinson
10. Josh Tongue
11. James Anderson