Australia bowls first in 4th ODI against England in first return to Lord’s since controversial test

LONDON (AP) — Australia won the toss and will bowl first against England on Friday in the fourth match of their one-day international series at a cold and cloudy Lord’s, where the tourists returned for the first time since a heated Ashes test last year when they were accused in crowd chants of cheating.

The toss was delayed by 90 minutes because of rain, which has reduced the match to 43 overs per side.

Protecting a 2-1 lead, the Australians are seeking to clinch the five-match series with a victory at the home of cricket. The world champions are coming off a loss in the third ODI in Durham on Tuesday that ended their 14-match winning run.

Spinner Adam Zampa returned from illness for Australia, which also recalled Travis Head after the opener was rested in Durham and wicketkeeper Josh Inglis. Alex Carey, who has had the gloves so far this series, will play as a batter.

England was unchanged.

The Australians haven’t played at Lord’s since a test against England in the summer of 2023 that will live long in Ashes infamy. A controversial stumping of England batter Jonny Bairstow by Carey led to Australia players being jeered mercilessly, with Usman Khawaja and David Warner getting verbally abused and touched by Marylebone Cricket Club members in the sacred Long Room at the lunch interval.

British newspaper The Guardian reported that security has been tightened at Lord’s, with ropes in the Long Room pushed back to widen the walkway for the teams and stairwells off limits to members when players are on the move.

The fifth and final match of the series will take place in Bristol on Sunday, when bad weather is forecast.

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Lineups:

Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (captain), Steven Smith, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.

England: Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Harry Brook (captain), Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer, Matt Potts, Adil Rashid.

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AP cricket: