BBC Test Match Special

BBC Test Match Special is about to go live at 10:30 BST.

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Our vote this morning is asking for your view on England's approach - are you a Bazball believer or is it was completely reckless?

If you are on laptop/PC you can vote on the right of your page. On mobile or the app it is under a tab at the top.

The current voting is 52%-48%

That number looks familiar...

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at Lord's

Next man in Jonny Bairstow has had some throw downs in the nets this morning. Harry Brook is hovering around too.

John Petrie: I seem to be thinking this more frequently, but the next session really is a very important one. Could be a game changer and series changer - either way.

Arthur Sharpe: Given the debate around Bazball, I'd be interested to know how often England were 280-4 between 2017 and 2021, and how often when Root got below 50!

Matthew: If the Aussies had three slips, and batsman snicks off, no one says "the odds were against him". It makes no sense saying it for short bowling. The reward of playing a forward defence is only a dot ball, the reward of taking on the short ball is a 4/6.

A reminder of today's ZaltzQuiz:

You need to guess: in men’s Ashes cricket since 1950, prior to the current series, what proportion of all the wickets lost by England have been stumpings?

Answer coming at 10:30 BST!

Laos, wow. I love the fact we have readers tuning in from so many exotic places.

Hope you are having fun over there, Steve!

We have not had official confirmation about Nathan Lyon's fitness yet - but this picture gives a pretty strong hint.

Image source, Getty Images

Henry Moeran
BBC Test Match Special commentator

Things I never thought I’d see… Aggers doing an Ashes preview for 5 Live Breakfast live from Studio 2 at Abbey Road.

The very room where the Beatles recorded most of their music.

Image source, Twitter

Both great points. If the supporters are enjoying themselves does it matter what the reaction is elsewhere?

I certainly think that is what Ben Stokes and the England players believe.

Throughout this Ashes series we're going to be getting the Australia perspective from podcasters 'The Grade Cricketer'.

In their latest video they fear the 'Bazball' beast is "starting to stir" as England fight back on day two of the second Ashes Test at Lord's.

Don't think I can argue with that logic, Tom!

The BBC Weather team say that it will be an overcast day at Lord's with humidity rising.

It should remain dry for most of the day, though there is a chance that some drizzle could move in at times later.

A fair point Greg. I think the England players expected such a reaction as well given how staunchly they defend their approach.

Looking at the tweets and text coming in this morning there is a fairly even split between criticism and praise. So is the fact Test cricket is generating such a debate also a good thing?

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on 5 Live Breakfast

The ploy by Australia is usually the last resort at this level and it was after Nathan Lyon went off injured.

So you have a flagging attack with three bowlers who have to get England out now and in the fourth innings. The accepted approach would be to wear the bowlers out.

So with nowhere to go Australia bowled bouncers with the field set deep. You either take it on and try and hit it, or sway out of the way, let them get tired and force them to change something.

99.9% of teams would go for option two, but England went the other way and are very robust about it.

Ben Duckett has come out and given the team mantra but I maintain that he, Ollie Pope and Joe Root have allowed Australia back into the game when England had it for the taking. Much of what they are doing now is catching up having given their position away.

Ben Horne in the Herald Sun, external is in no doubt as to the importance of this Test match on both the desitny of the Ashes and England's approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

"Fasten your seatbelts folks, for what could become the most influential Ashes Test this century.

"England’s entire cultural revolution depends on victory at Lord’s when play resumes for what shapes as a critical day three.

"Otherwise Bazball, which is already under siege, could be completely ripped to shreds.

"Lose and England will know they’re basically surrendering the Ashes at 2-0 down and will have to brace for six weeks of intense interrogation about their controversial attacking style.

"But win this second Test, and suddenly England are almost favourites to take the series with Nathan Lyon – arguably the biggest difference between the two teams – in serious doubt for the rest of the series after suffering a calf strain."

A reminder of today's ZaltzQuiz:

In men’s Ashes cricket since 1950, prior to the current series, what proportion of all the wickets lost by England have been stumpings?

Daniel Cherny in the Australian, external says Australia are "bracing for the worst" after Nathan Lyon hobbled off with a calf injury on Thursday.

"Australia’s fortunes in the second Test swung wildly on day two at Lord’s – but ultimately could rest with the dodgy right calf of star spinner Nathan Lyon.

"Lyon left the field late on Thursday distressed after injuring his calf in a hammer blow to Australia’s hopes as England roared back into the second Test.

"Despite a Steve Smith-powered total of 416, Australia’s first innings lead was trimmed to 138 by stumps as missed chances cost the tourists dearly."