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England succumbed to their second successive defeat in the ongoing Ashes after a dramatic loss in the second Test at Lord’s. However, England skipper Ben Stokes remains positive about England’s chances of turning things around in the remaining three matches of the series. The home side needs to get off the mark in the series in Leeds if they wish to reclaim the Ashes from the grasp of the Aussies. 

Ben Duckett

The diminutive English opener might’ve fallen prey to Australia’s short ball ploy in the second Test, but the southpaw caused a fair bit of nuisance for the visitors in both innings. Duckett, who fell short of a maiden Ashes Test century by just two runs in the first innings of the Lord’s Test, dished out another well-compiled innings in the second innings. He holds the key for the home side, especially with his opening partner Zak Crawley taking his chances at the top of the order.

Joe Root

The former England skipper endured an uncharacteristically quiet time with the bat in the second Test at Lord’s. His underwhelming performance at the iconic venue also saw him slip in the ICC rankings for batters in Tests. However, it is unlike him to go long without scoring big and with England needing a victory in the third Test, Root might come with something special against the Aussies in Leeds. 

Ben Stokes

England’s man for all occasions, Ben Stokes, played an absolute blinder in the fourth innings at Lord’s, only to end up on the losing side. Stokes’ herculean 155-run innings almost sealed a remarkable chase for the home side on a dramatic fifth day of the second Test. Although he hasn’t been at his best in the series so far, the innings at Lord’s reminded the Aussies of the influential all-rounder’s out worldly capabilities. Australia won’t be forgetting about Stokes’ heroics at Headingley from the 2019 series.