Australia's inexperienced speedsters have been given some inside knowledge about bowling at Lord's from someone who knows the place well - former test paceman Glenn McGrath.
The Australian great shared some of the secrets to his success at the home of cricket. McGrath enjoyed a phenomenal run at the London
ground during his career, claiming 26 wickets at 11.50 in his three visits to St John's Wood.
He briefed first-timers Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus about the quirks of the famous ground - most notably its considerable slope across the pitch.
"He's had a bit of success here," Siddle said about the chat.
"He was pretty confident with the bowling attack. He gave us a few little ideas.
"The main focus was the slope and how to get used to that.
"Get used to running in - either you're getting pulled downhill or you're running the other way.
"You've got to get used to those things, but there's not much to it.
"You've still got to go about it the way you bowl."
Siddle said playing at Lord's fulfilled one of his two boyhood dreams.
"Growing up there were Two tests I wanted to play in," he said.
"As a Victorian, it was always the MCG on the Boxing Day Test and I got that opportunity last year.
"The other one was an Ashes series playing at Lord's.
"To get to fulfil them at such an early age is a great honour and it's just amazing the history and the tradition of playing here. It's going to be an amazing feeling running out on the first day."
Siddle wasn't sure which end he would be handed but was campaigning for McGrath's preferred Pavilion End.
"That's probably my pick of the ends too, coming back into the batsman," he said.
"It's the end I'll look to bowl from."
* The 2nd Ashes test gets underway at Lord's tomorrow night (NZ time).
- AAP
