Alastair Cook: Australia still favourites for the Ashes
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Alastair Cook of England plays a shot during day four of the 2nd Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on July 19, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
England captain Alastair Cook believes Australia remain favourites to claim the Ashes urn despite England taking a 1-0 lead in Cardiff.
The Three Lions won the first Test by 169 runs and face Australia in the second Test at Lord’s, which begins on Thursday (July 16).
Cook said: “Australia are still probably favourites, they’ve only got to retain, I suppose.
“But series are not played on paper, it’s what people deliver. And it’s always nice to be underdogs isn’t it?”
And with a similar surface expected at Lord’s to what we saw in Cardiff, Cook is expecting an entertaining encounter.
He added: “Normally a Test wicket here is a pretty good wicket. We are in England and I don’t think it will be travelling through like Perth.”
Australia captain Michael Clarke said: “I think it will be a little bit tacky to start and seam around early so it will be difficult to bat on. But it does look like a pretty good wicket. Generally at Lord’s, once the sun comes out, it is a good wicket to bat on.”