Taylor - Quicks hold the key to Ashes success

australian bowlers

The Australians bounced back from an embarrassing defeat in the first Test in Cardiff, to crush the English by 405 runs at Lord's on a pitch that favoured the hosts. 

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has weighed into debate over who will claim the series, believing that Australia’s quicks could prove the difference. 

Australia’s showing at Lord’s was nothing short of brilliant on a lifeless wicket with Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon knocking over the old enemy for 312 and 103. 

The series resumes in Edgbaston on Wednesday night (AEST), with Taylor confident of a similar bowling display this time around. 

“They're going to have Hazlewood, Starc and Johnson probably play in the next Test," Taylor said. 

"They've got young Patty Cummins coming through and at the moment the bowling is set.

"At the end of the day I think Test match cricket is won by bowlers. 

“So if you've got your bowling attack right, and they can take 20 wickets, you're a chance of winning the game and that's where I think Australia have an advantage at the moment.

"I think they've got the advantage, no doubt. If they (England) are rattled, I don't know. 

“Everyone said that about Australia after the first Test. So I think the ball is back in England's court now.

"After the first Test everyone thought Australia were overrated, they're old men, they're past it. Now they've seen a different Australia at Lord's and they've thrown the ball right back in England's court to see what they've got now. 

“Can they come back like Australia did after the first Test and I think that will be well worth watching." 

Mitchell Starc has said that Australia have made no secret they will be coming hard at an unsettled English top order, having already dislodged Gary Ballance from the side and moving Ian Bell and Joe Root up the order. 

"Hopefully there is a bit of pace in this deck (in Edgbaston), but we'll soon find out,” Starc said. 

"We've got a bit of extra pace on our side and as I said, hopefully there is a bit of pace on this wicket or it's a bit harder than a couple of the other ones we've played on. 

“The short stuff is definitely on the menu."

Ballance has been dropped for the third Test, with Jonny Bairstow due to come in at five, with Joe Root and Ian Bell moving up to four and three respectively.

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