England Lions vs Australia A, 2019: 2nd Unofficial Test: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

After winning all the matches in the Unofficial ODI series, Australia A began the Test series with a convincing 10-wicket win against Sussex. In the second and last game of the unofficial Test series, the second string Aussie team will face England Lions. The home team had to make a couple of changes to their initial 11-men team due to injuries. Ben Duckett caught up a groin problem and has been replaced by Sam Hain while Sam Curran came in place of Mahmood who has an abdominal issue.

Australia A could see the return of Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade and Mitchell Marsh who went to the national side as replacements in the World Cup squad prior to the first unofficial Test. Their absence was felt in the middle-order as Australia A collapsed to 373 from 214/0. Centuries from Joe Burns (133) and Marcus Harris (109) played a key role in winning the game by ten wickets while the bowlers shared the wickets between themselves.

Match Details:

The 2nd game of the 2-match unofficial Test series will be played between England Lions and Australia A at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury.

The match starts at 11:00 AM local time (10:00 AM GMT) (3:30 PM IST).

Pitch Condition/Report:

The St Lawrence Ground will have a track with different nature every time. The venue hosted three County matches this year and all produced different sort of scores. The game between Kent and Yorkshire was good for batting on 2nd and 3rd days while the 2nd match between Kent and Somerset witnessed havoc caused by the medium-pacers as the highest total in that game read 169. In the recent most game, Kent and Warwickshire piled 500+ totals as they aggregated 1159 runs for the loss of only 14 wickets.

Probable Playing XIs:

England Lions:

Zak Crawley, Dominic Sibley, Sam Hain, Ben Foakes (WK), James Bracey, Sam Northeast, Lewis Gregory (C), James Porter, Sam Curran, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach.

Australia A:

Joe Burns, Marcus Harris, Kurtis Patterson/Peter Handscomb, Will Pucovski, Travis Head, Matthew Wade/Mitch Marsh, Tim Paine (C), Chris Tremain, Jon Holland, James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood.

Bench – Jackson Bird, Michael Neser.

Team News:

England Lions have announced their playing XI. The players who joined the Australian CWC squad might return after the semi-final defeat.

Power Picks:

Sam Curran’s skill made an experienced player like Stuart Broad to sit out in the recent Test series played by England. The youngster offers left-arm pace variation and is too good to bat as low as No.8. In four first-class matches in the ongoing English season, Curran picked up 18 wickets at an average of 23.22. With the bat, the left-hander hit two fifties and scored 251 runs at 31.37.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Marcus Harris has been consistent as an opener over the last few of years which led to his Test debut against India this year where he was successful. Harris and Joe Burns struck hundreds in the first unofficial Test and the hopes on them to make big will remain. Sam Hain struck hundreds in both innings against Hampshire last week while Ollie Robinson is fresh of a 10-wicket match haul.

Other Captain/Vice-Captain Options (in order) – Ben Foakes, James Pattinson, Sam Northeast, Peter Handscomb, James Porter.

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Ben Foakes

Batters – Marcus Harris (C), Joe Burns, Sam Northeast, Sam Hain

All-Rounders – Sam Curran (VC), Lewis Gregory

Bowlers – James Pattinson, Jackson Bird, John Holland, James Porter

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for Fantasy Cricket:

Keeper – Tim Paine

Batters – Marcus Harris, Sam Hain (C), Peter Handscomb, Dominic Sibley

All-Rounders – Sam Curran, Travis Head, Ollie Robinson (VC)

Bowlers – Jackson Bird, James Pattinson, James Porter

Expert Advice:

Peter Handscomb and Matthew Wade were part of the Australian World Cup squad last week while Mitchell Marsh also skipped the 1st unofficial Test as he was cover for Marcus Stoinis. The trio might return and be part of the Australia A XI as Glenn Maxwell was spotted playing for Lancashire less than 48 hours after their semi-final defeat.

Probable Winners:

England Lions might be stronger than Sussex but they might not be enough to stop the star-studded Australia A.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.