^Australia also doesn't look as tough as they were last WC. Being the strongest team since years, they should keep up their reputation but they have been in controversies for ball tampering with Steve, Warner being involved. Smith and Warner are assets for the team and when the entire team was failing, Smith got them the runs. They have good bowlers but they still lose matches which actually they should have won. Their second innings is what saved them and made England lose.
Australia had a very bad start in the first innings of the first Test. Thanks to Smith to save the innings and also to save the match. It was beyond my intellectual that why did not they take Starc. If Starc was there then job would have been easier for Australia.
~snip~
I can understand what you are saying here, but I feel like you are under-estimating England a bit too much here. They did beat India, Australia and other big teams in the World Cup quite comfortably if you look back.
I am not denying the good performance of English team in the world cup. They were good but not better than India and Australia. In the group match beating India was okay looking but beating Australia in the semi was just a fluke. Australia had a bad day and England took advantage of it. Then obviously winning the World cup was the biggest fluke. Everything had to go in their favor.
They have been known to bounce back after losses which is why I am expecting the same in this 2nd test match. A draw is also a possibility.
I will be bored if the Test turns out to be an easy win for any of the team so I will hope we see another good Test like the first one. Archer is going to play possibly, Starc will be playing. We are looking forward to a competitive Test match. Those who has strong nerves they will win of course.