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By the end of Day 3 in this first Test in Brisbane, I really thought – as did plenty of other writers, commentators, and punters – that we were heading for a sensational opening to this Ashes campaign. One way or the other, we were heading for a result, and whoever was to emerge the victor would have known that they had played very, very well.
Instead, we’re left with even more confirmation that this series will be tighter than ever. England will take all the momentum out of this match into the Second Test in Adelaide, and will no doubt be very confident heading to what might now be only the second-flattest batting track in Australia.
That the ‘Gabba wicket only got flatter and flatter surprised most, and it couldn’t be any further removed from the Shield game played three weeks ago where an outright result was achieved before Tea on the second day.
Only twelve wickets fell after the first day as the odds for a draw grew shorter by the over bowled.
Without question, those shortening odds were aided by the disappointing Australian bowling attack in England’s second innings.
The Day 5 efforts were especially substandard, with numerous balls disappearing well down the legside for four byes each time. Mitchell Johnson was by no means on his own, but he was the worst offender, with one ball to Jonathon Trott so wide it was closer to fine leg than it was to ‘keeper Brad Haddin.
But to focus on the ordinary Australian bowling efforts would take away from outstanding fight back from England Captain Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook on Day 4, and then the record-breaking and draw-ensuring partnership from Cook and Trott on Day 5.
Strauss, having survived an lbw referral in the first over of England’s second innings, was very keen to make amends for his first innings duck, played the lead role in reeling in Australia’s Hussey and Haddin-inspired lead, and this paved the way for Cook and Trott to pile on the runs on the final day.
For Cook, this was a career-defining innings. Chatting to my new English colleagues yesterday, they told me of the scrutiny that Cook found himself under, with parallels quickly emerging between him and Michael Clarke, for the way Cook has also been viewed as a long term successor to Strauss as England Captain, but without being seen to have earned the mantle.
His record against Australia hadn’t been all that flash up to yesterday, and while there hadn’t been any concerted callings for his head per se, the doubts remained. Another poor Ashes series might well have brought the whispers to a slightly harder-to-ignore level.
Instead, and like Mike Hussey in Australia’s first innings, Cook has erased any lingering reservations is the best possible manner.
He batted exceptionally well throughout his innings, and his back-foot stroke play was right from the top shelf. I must say, however, he did get plenty of chance to iron out any slight deficiencies he may have had, so obliging were the Australian bowlers of the required length. By the time Straus declared England’s innings at a mammoth 517, Cook was pulling through mid-wicket for fun.
The worry for Australian cricket, is not just the performance of the team, and particularly the bowling outfit currently, but also that a tight series will not endear itself to the crowds.
The final day attendance was disappointing by any stretch. With the top deck of the Stanley Street end closed off, the lower concourse levels were conspicuous by the acres of empty seats, save for the large Barmy Army section.
Actually, the most amusing aspect of the predominantly pro-English crowd was the suggestion from the Army on Twitter that they were able to see the “magic eye” patterns in the ‘Gabba seats.
“I spy a dolphin…,” one of their number offered up early in the day.
The Army had found their voice again on Day 4, including a point late in the day where they turned on the media room, and any evident atmosphere in the ground yesterday was of their doing. Thankfully.
It would have been a long, quiet day without them.
It’s up to Australia now, and to an extent the Australian selectors, to ensure a motivated team takes the field in Adelaide. Too often during the England second innings, the Australian body language in the field was poor, and misfields or boundaries were generally greeted with dropped heads or ‘teapot’ stances.
Whether the likes of Mitchell Johnson or Marcus North make way before Adelaide remains to be seen, but some kind of change – be it personnel or attitude – is quickly needed, or Australia will find themselves trailing in this series.
Though the draw was inevitable once Cook and Trott got through the first hour yesterday, this was still a proper Test cricket contest, and we got to the final position we did through some career-best performances saving both sides at different points in the game.
Ricky Ponting will be happy with the way he finished the Test 51 not out, but his team cannot rely on the individuals to do the job this summer. The sooner his team looks more like one unit, and less like eleven blokes standing in close proximity, the better.
Personally speaking, I’ve had an amazing week, and aside from a slightly different result, I couldn’t have asked for a better opener to my Ashes tour.
It’s been a lot of fun, but it’s time to say “thanks, Brisbane” and move on to Adelaide after a whistle-stop trip home.