The Ashes 2013: 2nd Test at Lord's - 5 key contests to watch out for

2. Alastair Cook vs James Pattinson

Pattinson removed Cook in the first innings of the fist Test

A lot was said and written about the battle between Mitchell Starc and Alastair Cook ahead of the first Test but Starc failed to find his radar in the first innings. It was James Pattinson who delivered the critical wicket of the English captain, prompting the middle-order to be exposed.

Pattinson’s ability to use his stock delivery that dips into Alastair Cook, becomes a fine weapon when the delivery holds its line. Cook’s wicket is certainly the single most important in the English batting line-up as he is the most effective anchor player. If he gets runs, he increases the potential of the entire line-up.

Cook managed to be compact in the second innings and patiently paved his to a half-century which helped his team set a challenging target. In the possible absence of Mitchell Starc, Pattinson will be the one out for his blood.