Australia drop Pattinson for second Ashes test

Reuters - Australia dropped fast bowler James Pattinson from a 12-man squad for the second Ashes test against England starting at Lord's on Wednesday (August 14), with Josh Hazlewood coming in as likely replacement. Fellow quick Mitchell Starc, also overlooked for the first test won by Australia at Edgbaston, was named in the squad but could end up carrying the drinks once the playing lineup is named at the toss.  Spearhead Pat Cummins and Peter Siddle, who made up the pace trio with Pattinson in the 251 run opening victory, retained their places. Edgbaston was Pattinson's first test in three and a half years after he suffered back injuries and then underwent surgery, and he took two wickets. Left-armer Starc played all five Tests on the 2015 Ashes tour and finished as the highest wicket-taker in the 50-overs World Cup last month. Captain Tim Paine has said he wants to manage his fast bowlers to keep them free from injury, and the weather could be another factor, with rain possible throughout Wednesday. Australia's victory at Edgbaston was their first in the opening test of an away Ashes series since 2005. England look set to play fast bowler Jofra Archer, who looks poised to make his test debut in the absence of record wicket-taker James Anderson who injured his calf again on the first day at Edgbaston. Moeen Ali, who made only four runs in two innings at Edgbaston is replaced by left-hander Jack Leach, who will likely take over England's spin bowling duties at Lord's. While the loss of Anderson is a major blow to England's hopes of regaining the Ashes, the prospect of Archer steaming in to bowl his 90mph deliveries will excite England's fans. The Barbados-born pace bowler made a huge impact at the World Cup when he was England's leading wicket-taker and bowled the dramatic Super Over at Lord's which sealed the title for the hosts over New Zealand. Archer missed the first test as he recovered from a side strain but proved his fitness when he took six wickets for 27 and scored a century in a Sussex second XI fixture this week. Australia: David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (captain, wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. England squad: Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.