LORD'S, London: The opening day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s was abandoned because of rain on Wednesday, although it eased just long enough for England fast bowler Jofra Archer to receive his test cap in a ceremony in the middle of the field.
That indicated Archer will make his test debut when play gets underway. Archer will replace James Anderson, as England’s leading wicket-taker is still injured.
Australia were set to make at least one change to their fast bowling attack at the Home of Cricket, with James Pattinson rested and Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood brought into the tourists’ 12-man squad.
The rain even prevented the toss being held. The forecast is much better on Thursday. With the Test reduced to four days with time added on daily, the follow-on will be 150 runs.
Umpires were hoping to have a pitch inspection at 11 a.m. local time but were foiled by the rain and later set the toss for 3 p.m. before the rain returned again and covers were brought back on.
Australia lead the five-Test series 1-0 after a 251-run win at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Opening day of second Ashes Test a washout; Joffra Archer receives debut cap
Opening day of second Ashes Test a washout; Joffra Archer receives debut cap
- Archer will make his test debut when play gets underway
- Australia lead the five-Test series 1-0
Marseille buckle as Paris FC battle back for draw
- Mason Greenwood converted a first-half penalty for his league-best 13th goal of the season
- De Zerbi dismissed reports that he was stepping down
PARIS: Marseille suffered a late collapse and blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Paris FC in Ligue 1 on Saturday with the pain still fresh from their excruciating Champions League exit.
Mason Greenwood converted a first-half penalty for his league-best 13th goal of the season and set up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to double Marseille’s lead early in the second half.
However, three days after crashing out of Europe in improbable fashion, Marseille came unstuck again as Jonathan Ikone’s header brought Paris FC back into the game and Ilan Kebbal levelled with an injury-time spot-kick.
Marseille lost 3-0 at Club Brugge on Wednesday but it took a last-gasp header from Benfica’s goalkeeper in a win over Real Madrid to knock Roberto De Zerbi’s side out of the competition.
De Zerbi dismissed reports that he was stepping down in the wake of the defeat in Belgium after he missed a training session the next day.
The Italian said he had held talks with club officials to find the best way to move on from the Champions League disappointment, but the nature of Marseille’s latest setback will only add to the unease at the Velodrome.
Lens moved back above Paris Saint-Germain into top spot on Friday after a Ruben Aguilar goal secured a 1-0 win at home to struggling Le Havre.
Luis Enrique’s team will be able to reclaim first place by avoiding defeat away to Strasbourg on Sunday.
