'Bazball' architect McCullum to stick with Moeen

England will stick with struggling spinner Moeen Ali for Lord's, with coach Brendon McCullum confirming the veteran will be picked for the second Ashes Test, providing he is fit.

Moeen struggled to grip the ball for large parts of England's thrilling two-wicket loss to Australia at Edgbaston, as he battled a blister on his spinning finger.

It came amid questions over whether England would stick with the underdone spinner, who was only brought out of Test retirement a week before the series started.

The situation even prompted Nathan Lyon to admit he felt sorry for his spinning rival, though Lyon also proved how valuable spin could have been for England after taking eight wickets for the match.

But the hosts are confident Moeen will be fit for Lord's and say they will stick with the 36-year-old after his unhappy match figures of 3-204 at Edgbaston.

"I'm pretty confident that we can get on top of Moeen's finger," McCullum said.

"That will give us an opportunity to select him in the next game and, if he's available, he will be selected.

"I thought Moeen did a great job.

"He bowled a couple of absolute 'jaffas' in the game and that's what his role was, to try and make breakthroughs when he had the opportunity."

McCullum is also adamant England's fearless approach was the right one and that they will play the same style of cricket again at Lord's.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has become one of the first big voices in England cricket to question its necessity, after England declared late on day one in the first innings and threw wickets away at times with attacking strokes.

"Remember, we've beaten Australia in England since 2001 playing the old-fashioned way," Hussain told Sky Sports.

"We didn't need 'Bazball' to beat Australia.

"The only thing I'll say is they showed why they're World Test Champions and the No.1 side in the world.

"They've got some serious players and some seriously tough players as well."

Hussain was also concerned about the fact England have now lost two of their past three Tests, after also being beaten by New Zealand in February following another first-innings declaration.

"You can't hide behind that (wanting to entertain)," Hussain said.

"England lost in New Zealand as well, if you remember.

"I know they've had Ireland in between, but now they've lost here and there are two games of cricket they could have won, should have won."

But McCullum insisted his side had made the right call to play the way they did in Birmingham.

"The application to how we want to play right throughout was superb," McCullum said.

"A couple of things didn't quite go our way at times as well, but that's the nature of the game.

"But we firmly believe, the skipper (Ben Stokes) and I, that this gives us our greatest chance."

McCullum also backed Jonny Bairstow's glovework behind the stumps after he spilled several crucial chances.