In 2005, Australia was beaten by the odd run and the odd umpiring howler. But by and large, it was our struggling pace attack that didn’t match England’s. And the Ashes were lost.
Jason Gillespie had a woeful series (3 wickets at 100) and played the first three Tests before he was replaced. McGrath injured himself and Lee’s 20 wickets were a very expensive at 41 per wicket.
Shane Warne was highly effective over the five Tests with 46 wickets at a very economical 19.92, while Gillespie was replaced by Tait, who took five wickets at 42.
Moving forward to 2009, after the first two Tests, we again have a struggling pace attack. We could not bowl England out in Cardiff and our pace bowling at Lords was not up to Test standard.
After a highly successful tour of South Africa, Mitchell Johnson’s bowling is now at best ragged – he is clearly struggling with 5 wickets at 41. Siddle has 7 wickets at 44.
Thankfully, the much maligned Nathan Hauritz has returned 9 wickets at 29 and Ben Hilfenhaus has been the pick of the pacemen with 9 wickets at 31.
In 2005, Ponting dithered with Gillespie. Will he do the same with Johnson and to a lesser extent Siddle?
Certainly Stuart Clark has to come back into the side for the next Test – for his accuracy and economy. And Lee, with his new found ability to reverse swing, needs to be considered when fit.
Johnson and Siddle are young and have much to offer, but also much to learn.
A stint on the sidelines would only do them good at this stage of their careers.
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