Does the performance of the Australian team in the First Test reflect the strength of the starting XI or did the woeful display by England just serve to wallpaper the imperfections of the visitors?
For months we have heard about the relative evenness of the two teams and how the 2009 Ashes may rival the 2005 series, in terms of close finishes though not necessarily drama, mainly due to the well matched nature of the two antagonists.
A spinning pitch was expected at Cardiff and although the occasional ball deviated, especially late in the match, I wouldn’t call the pitch a “bunsen burner” by any stretch of the imagination.
Nathan Hauritz outbowled his counterpart Graeme Swan easily.
Having watched Swan in action during the Caribbean tour and then again at home against the West Indies, I was waiting to see him cause plenty of problems for the Australian top order. It didn’t happen.
Swan looked out of his depth when Katich, Clark, Ponting et al used their feet and came running at him. Swan’s confidence evaporated like a beer within an arms length of Dougie Walters.
Monty Panesar bowled without serious thought. He hasn’t made progress since his first Test match, the same old tricks and strategies are repeated and the batsmen know full well what he will try.
England played two spinners and both were impotent. But if the spinners were not up to it then the seam bowlers were totally flaccid.
I will give the Australian batting order huge plaudits for the patient and disciplined way they went about chasing 447 and then building that substantial lead.
Unlike England who built their total around a top score of 67, thus finishing with a modest total score on a slow but undaunting surface, the Australians turned half centuries into the full Monty.
If Kevin Pietersen’s response to questions about the shot he played against Hauritz in the 1st innings, which more resembled a 25 handicapper raking a bunker rather than one of the world’s best batsmen giving a delivery the respect it deserved, is to be taken seriously then England’s captain, coaching staff and supporters are in for many more innings of heartache.
Pietersen allowed his ego to bat for him, and it cost his team significantly.
Skipper Strauss looked clueless as his bowlers delivered pies rather than hand grenades. They rarely looked like taking a wicket.
For the first time in many a Test Ricky Ponty won the captaincy duel. The Durham Country attack of Steve Harmison and Graeme Onions should start doing their stretching routine now, they will be playing at Lords on Thursday.
A flat deck, winning the toss and being completely outplayed in all aspects of the game. That’s England’s lot at the moment.
I guess you only have to beat the opponent that turns up on the day, and Australia did not quite achieve that.
One Test in and this series has 1989 written all over it. The drama was there, but with no result for Australia unfortunately.
They were the better team but still let the last pair survive 69 deliveries without Hilfenhaus bowling at all.
Troy Cooley, the almost invisible bowling coach has a lot of work to do with Mitchell Johnson in the next 72 hours if Australia want to continue their winning form at their favourite away venue.
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