The Lord’s pitch for the second Ashes Test beginning on Wednesday promises carry and bounce, at least more purchase than what the flat Edgbaston deck had offered in the series opener.

Former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie though has a piece of advice for quicks when there’s hardly any assistance from the surface.

“The easiest way I can put it is, when the pitch is more batter-friendly or flatter the surface, your margin for error is less. So the spot on the wicket where you’re going to bowl becomes smaller.

“I would liken to it putting a shoebox down on a length. If you can hit that shoebox consistently, something which Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood can do very well or even James Anderson, that’s the best way,” Gillespie, nicknamed Dizzy, said during a select media interaction on Monday night.

Recalling the epic 376-run stand between VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid in India’s second innings of that unforgettable March 2001 Eden Gardens Test, Gillespie said: “If a surface is offering lateral movement, that shoebox then is a little bit bigger.

“But if it’s an old ball with two batters well set, it only gets tougher. For instance, just like how VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid were in Calcutta in 2001, it felt as if the shoebox size was that of a 10-rupee note. It was that small.

“So I think it comes down to execution of skill and being ruthless with the discipline of bowling the good old-fashioned line and length.”

For the second Test, which will be telecast live on Sony Sports Ten 5 channel, England will be going in with an all-pace attack as 25-year-old quick Josh Tongue replaces injured spinner-all-rounder Moeen Ali. Tongue was preferred over Mark Wood.

“Obviously, what Wood brings to the table is raw pace and that’s something England missed at Edgbaston,” pointed out Gillespie, the owner of 259 Test wickets and the highest score by a nightwatchman (201 no).

Hint of Plan B

For sure England will continue with Bazball in spite of being pipped by Australia in the first Test by two wickets. But there were “glimpses of their Plan B” at Edgbaston, Gillespie feels.

“Maybe it wasn’t really noticed, but you can look back at Ben Stokes’ innings in the second innings. He got 40-odd (43) runs, but he actually faced a lot of overs and was quite defensive for a while, particularly against Nathan Lyon.

“I would argue that was the Plan B there as he didn’t come out and try to hit every ball. Yes, when seamers came at the other end, he was probably a little more aggressive. I think that’s where the evolution of Bazball could come in.

“If a bowler is bowling a really good spell, you can’t just try to hit fours and sixes off every ball,” the South Australia and Adelaide Strikers coach reasoned.

Starc stays battle-ready

London: Taking the Ashes opener snub in his stride, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc said he is used to being “dropped the most in this squad”, but he promised to remain battle-ready if he is picked for the second Test.

“I’m used to it now coming to England. It’s a squad mentality, much the same as last time,” Starc told reporters about his non-selection for the opening Test at Edgbaston.

“I have been around long enough, been dropped enough. Probably been dropped the most in this squad, so it is not something new for me. It probably won’t be the last time either... I have different skills that fit into this bowling group, so if and when I get a turn, I’ll be ready to go. If not this week, then I’ll get ready for Headingley,” said the speedster.

PTI