England comprehensively beat Australia at the Adelaide Oval, the last six wickets falling for just 43 runs as Graeme Swann predictably ran through the tail but not without the assistance of Anderson and Finn. It's not often one side so completely dominates another over the course of five days of Test cricket, but here, England anhilated the Australias in every facet of the game. Clearly England's batsmen were not bothered at any stage by an Australian attack that is still in the process of being chopped and changed by the selectors. England's bowling attack by comparison, took the wickets when they were needed and after the first 15 minutes of the match, they had England steered on course to a win. It was in the field however, where England stand taller still against these Australians who drop catches and fumble and look like novices.This morning, everything about England's work was as professional as their preparation deserves it to be. There was no panic when the ball beat the bat, just tight field placings, patience and then excellent catching when the chances came. Hussey was out when he misjudged the pace and bounce Finn could achieve on a fifth wicket and skied a pull shot to Anderson at mid on. Haddin played one fine cover drive but after having several Anderson deliveries shave his outside edge, he eventually tickled one to Prior. Harris repeated his first innings effort, out first ball shouldering arms to one Anderson bent back at him. North was out on review when a ball from Swann hit his first pad marginally ahead of his bat. He surely can't play in the next Tex on his home ground. Swann was in the words of Fred Trueman, was too good for the likes of Doherty and Siddle and the game was over.
The last ghosts who to chill the English were here in Adelaide but Strauss' men have thrown open the dark places and let the light in and those same chasten ghosts will leave in the "coffins" of the Australian players.
Changes will need to be made by Australia, not the least because Katich is out for the summer. The others who must leave the squad are North, Doherty and Bollinger as none of them are up for this fight. Bollinger might return in Sydney but as yest he is under done. Doherty has been found out by batsmen who have his measure to such an extent that the only threat he posses are to his close in fieldsmen. He can neither attack or contain.
This Session: England
Sessions this Test: England 9, Australia 1, Shared 1
Session This Series: England 15, Australia 7, Shared 4
I can't disagree with the changes you propose, Lango, but I can't see CA making all of them. Katich is a forced one but with a 9 day break Bollinger may get a look in for the 3rd test. Doherty has looked way out of his league and this cannot have gone unnoticed by the selectors. To be highly critical I'm not sure it matters too much out of the pace options who gets the go ahead over whoever else. Selectors may as well pick Peter George and Mark Cameron but I think dropping Hilfenhaus was harsh. The guy has barely put a foot wrong - it's just that he's not a real strike bowler. That's what Johnson was supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteIf Katich goes out I'd be amazed if selectors dropped North as well. To change 2 out of your top 6 mid series is a big call; one I support, but the conservatism of selectors tells me they won't.
All credit to England who absolutely dominated this test. They are a run making machine which is well supported by a solid pace and spin attack. It's no surprise that this English team fields better than any I've probably ever seen and one cannot discount the impact this has. When Collingwood dropped a catch at slip in Brisbane it was an unusual occurrence rather than the norm. This series is not coming down to 'moments' or 'chances' as was proclaimed by some but in any case England are taking almost every chance they get.
I like all Aussie fans sit at home in numb disbelief at the huge gap between these teams, however if we take out a couple of factors 1) the poms have bowled with much better precision 2) Swann then I do not think the gap may be as great as it might seem. In both tests England batted in great conditions against our inept attack albeit the Adelaide advantage was achieved by their great first hour when if the 3 for 2 was just a bad dream the match may well have been a draw. I would not panic too much. Hughes will replace Katich, Hauritz for Doherty. Does North stay on his home wicket? and do we muck around with the quicks. George from SA has great height and on the WACCA that can be handy although in the Aussie A game he did not look up to it. The Pom bats are not supermen as Harris and Watson showed. This is right field stuff but to make the bowling stronger and more flexible I would be tempted to pick Robinson from WA or Jacques to open with Hughes and drop Watson to North's spot. Watson bowled very well in Adelaide but is underused because of his opening duties. I would also make Ricky have compulsory mentor sessions with Ian Chappell and Mark Taylor on how to set a one side field so bowlers can bowl with some sort of certainty.
ReplyDeletei agree with Leftriteout, George must be given a chance.
ReplyDeleteSmith MUST now get a run too.
North...words fail me! but CA have givn less reasonable excuses than, "is expectd to play well on his home track"
i am all for burning half the side in the expectation that a younger team may get flogged (too) but at least might hate the experience enough to do something about it next time around.
If we take the realistic view that the Ashes are lost, then perhaps its time to blood a few players. In 1970-71, the selectors gambled and lost on a few duds like Eastwood, Duncan and Dell but gave 1st Tests to Marsh, Lillee and Greg Chappell.
ReplyDeleteHughes has been tried several times since his splendid debut and has been shown to have a flawed technique, the chinks in which are already programmed into the English attack. His form is not much better than Jacques who is a better player. Wouldn't choose either. I'd go for a halfway bet and pick Shaun Marsh who already has loads of experience in ODIs and would debut at home. It also keeps the left/right combo going.
I'd pick Mark Cameron before George - bigger, stronger, more grunt and I think a tad smarter.
Haven't settled on my final ideas but Steve Smith has to be in the mix and I'd like Hauritz recalled.
I don't expect the selectors to do any of the above, especially Horrie, as solicitors never use their faces as skillets. Like England 09, it's a series where selectorial mistakes will cost Australia dearly.