The first pictures of the pitch for the second Test of the 2023 Ashes series at Lord's have dropped, showing a much more traditional-looking English wicket.
The Ashes series got underway at Edgbaston on a pitch that looked like it had been imported straight out of the sub-continent, and played similarly.
Flat and lifeless for the quicks, it eventually took some turn and, with England manically pushing for a result, one was achieved in the dying overs as Australia completed a remarkable chase to claim a 1-0 series lead.
Things now move to the home of cricket in London, with first pictures suggesting the pitch has plenty of grass, and a lot more moisture in it, than the one served up in Birmingham.
A couple of days out from the second #Ashes Test… pic.twitter.com/jbklff3zcW
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 26, 2023
The pictures of the wicket still have 48 hours for the groundstaff to change things around after captain Ben Stokes requested flat pitches to suit their aggressive style of play pre series.
Despite that, there is evidently more moisture and should be more life in this pitch in the opening hours of the contest.
It comes after England quicks Stuart Broad and James Anderson both panned the pitch during and after the first Test, with Anderson suggesting he would consider retiring if the pitches remained the same throughout the series.
Australia have often struggled against the swinging Dukes ball in recent years, although took that away during the opening Test of the series through the pitch.
