England opener Adam Lyth will not change his style of play despite struggling for runs against Australia’s bowling attack in the first Ashes Test.
Lyth made six and 37 in the opening Test in Cardiff as England recorded an impressive 169-run victory inside four days. Lord’s will host the second Test, starting tomorrow, and Lyth, 27, is confident he can adapt to the famous slope at the home of cricket.
“I’ve just got to try and play my way and if it’s there to be hit, I will hit it,” Lyth said. “If it’s a half-volley, I’ll hit it. If it’s a decent ball, I’ll leave it or defend it. We know we’ve just got to play to our strengths. I am an attacking batsman but I have to respect the conditions and respect the bowling.
“I’ve played here quite a bit so I’m getting used to the slope. Fingers crossed, I’ll get a few runs this week.”
England impressed with bat and ball in Cardiff and they also looked sharp in the field after being a bit sloppy in the two-Test series against New Zealand. Lyth said the influence of new coach Trevor Bayliss at a pre-Ashes camp in Spain was the reason behind England’s new-found confidence.
“We did a lot of slip-catching work and ground-fielding work in Spain so I guess the hard work’s paid off,” Lyth said.
“But the slip catchers are very good in there – (Alastair) Cook, (Ian) Bell, (Joe) Root – they have fantastic hands.
“We didn’t do as well as we would have liked against New Zealand but I think the lads have done very, very well the last game and let’s hope it keeps happening.”
Meanwhile, Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin will miss the second Test for "family reasons", the team management announced. His place in the side will be taken by reserve gloveman Peter Nevill, also Haddin's New South Wales deputy, who will be making his international debut.
“I can confirm that Brad Haddin has withdrawn himself from the second Test at Lord’s for family reasons,” said an Australia team spokeswoman.
“He will remain with the team in London and we won’t be making any further comment.”
Haddin’s decision to withdraw is not the first time Haddin has put his family ahead of his cricket career.
In 2012, Haddin took nearly a year out of the game after his then 17-month-old daughter Mia was diagnosed with neuroblastoma – a rare form of cancer that attacks children of age five years or younger.
As his daughter’s condition improved, Haddin returned during Australia’s losing 2013 Ashes tour of England.
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