On Day Two of the Third Ashes Test at Edgbaston, the England cricket team returned to their 2005 winning formula – swing bowling. Onions and Anderson gave the Australians and the public a master class in swing bowling.
Late movement, excellent line and length, beautifully simple tactics: get the batsman playing the in-swinger, then, using the same line, bowl the out-swinger.
If that doesn’t work, reverse it, but maintain line and length, aiming for the top of off stump.
We have again seen the inherent weakness in the Australian batting lineup. They still can’t play good swing bowling, reverse or otherwise.
Mike Hussey remains in a deep form slump. He was dismissed by the identical ball to that which dismissed him at Lords. It again hit the top of off stump.
As a former team mate of mine once said, “It was on the stumps, so I let it go!”
Ponting’s innings lacked the necessary determination. He got a start, and poetically, having passed Allan Border’s record, it was a typical, stubborn, dour and disciplined Border-esque innings that the team needed from the captain and vice captain.
Hooking on a two height track is suicidal and, in the situation, unforgivable, particularly when, like Ponting yesterday, he didn’t watch the ball onto the bat.
Despite Shane Watson being the top scorer in Australia’s first innings at Edgbaston, his selection in the team and promotion to opener was, and remains, a big risk that is destined to fail with massive repercussions.
Firstly, his statistics at Test level didn’t justify his selection, let alone his promotion.
Secondly, his physical fitness record is extremely poor and unreliable. With Johnson out of form, Australia can’t afford to carry another player.
Thirdly, just as one swallow doesn’t make a summer, one session doesn’t make an opener.
Openers get the worst of the conditions and often have to “open” and then reopen the batting multiple times in any one innings.
His second start as an opener on the morning of day two, lasted 1 ball and threw the batting line up into such disarray that it never recovered.
Finally, and most importantly, this is the Ashes Test series, a once every two year contest of more than 130 years duration and one of the greatest contests in Australian and British Sport. It was a time for stability, not experimentation and unnecessary risk taking.
There is no doubt that Shane Watson is a very good looking batsman, technically. Bowlers will tell you that this doesn’t always equate to impressive batting averages and copious run scoring, particularly at test level.
On Day One of the third Test, his bat was straight, his leaving outside off stump was precise and he played within himself. His tactics of pulling the short ball and then driving the bowler’s subsequent fuller delivery was clever.
The selectors looked to have got it right.
The first ball of Day Two demonstrated that the selectors risky selection had failed and put the whole Australian Ashes campaign at risk.
We now know that Watson got his 62 from a wayward, ill-disciplined bowling attack and unusually docile, soft first day track.
Watson is not alone.
When the Australians took to the field, in similar conditions and a new Duke, the Australian bowlers were unable to repeat the success of their England fast bowling brethren.
England were 2-116 at the close of play on Day 2.
The Australians, batsmen and bowlers alike, have clearly not done their homework nor learned from the lessons of the failed 2005 Ashes campaign.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
DI, great news. had did he go and what possie?
Jameswm
Guest
Has anyone taught these batsmen how to play swing bowling? It isn't that hard - you just don't commit to the shot too early - play late. Most of Anderson's are pretty predictable - he starts his different swingers on a different line. I do like bowlers swinging it both ways though.
Dave
Guest
Jmaes Anderson seems to have improved heaps
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
LAS- Here's a cryptic Sunday comment. Most cricket teams rebuild for the future. Australia is rebuilding a team for the past.
Diplomatic Immunity
Guest
LAS,as usual great post. Aussies struggling, how about a left arm swing bowler?? Cal in 15a's tomorrow in Canberra
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
VV, i agree. But Hughes is doing hsi day job of being a tour guide.....I'm not use about Hussey. I'm a fan of his, but his form slump is a long one and his last couple of dismissals are very discouraging for everyone, not least of all him!!!!!
Colin N
Guest
LeftArmSpinner, I did, because I'm English and I think it's one of the most incredible turnarounds in Sport, from the shambles of the tour to the Carribean, to the excellent displays against the number one side in the world, that we are seeing at the moment. Albeit, this isn't a great Australian side. However, I don't want to heap too much praise on the likes of Onions and Anderson, because they need to carry on this form. Look at Mitchell Johnson, for example. He was said to be possibly the best bowler in the world, and the spearhead of the Australian attack. Now Pointing didn't seem to want to use him.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
LAS--We have Merv Hughes in England and Jamie Cox,not sure if Andrew Hilditch is there. Having selected the squad of 16 I dont see the need for nay selector to be in England. Their job is done. It is now upto Neilsen and Ponting to pick the best XI. As I see it Manou had to play considering the injury to Haddin. Lee is unfit so there were only 14 to pick from. Hauritz,Hilfenhaus picked themselves. If Watson was going to replace anyone it should have been North. Clark for Siddle was then the only logical option. If Siddle picks up two or three more in the first innings it will prove the think tank right. Dropping Hughes makes no sense at all. Just because Waugh,Ponting Slater et al were dropped in the past it does not mean they had to drop Hughes. The signals are mixed. If you are going to reward the guys that did well in South Africa then it should apply to Hughes as it has for the bowlers. I do agree with the retention of Hussey. He will be back. I would not be too depressed. Australia has the runs on the board and England trail by 147. Australia have the chance to roll England if the bowlers can emulate the lines of the English bowlers.
Even looser
Guest
Onya Fuchal - I was trying to read between the lines & work out how this has anything to do with Rugby.
Dave
Guest
I thought I read somewhere that Watson was now going to cut back on his bowling and concentrates on his batting because of this injures.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
But Justin and Colin, didnt you think that the english bowlers bowl well tho? I thought they were simply excellent.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
VV, a very good point. How long can they ignore Clark??? Fuchal, I agree but dont miss the opp to comment on the cricket article?
Colin N
Guest
Vinay, I like Onions. I'm sure he was a bit of an unknown to many of the Australian press and pundits and I always said he could cause the Australian batsmen problems, but I was a bit tentative, because the only other test nation he faced before this series was the West Indies, so he hadn't yet played a top team.
Colin N
Guest
Justin, Ah, the Broad conundrum. I'm undecided on his position in the team. You've seen how lower order runs have contributed to England's performances. Had Harmison played instead of Broad at Cardiff, then I believe Australia would have gone into Lords one-nil up. Broad hung around for an hour, which I very much doubt Harmison could have. So his batting helps his cause, but.... ....onto his bowling. He bolwed well against the West Indies, but that's not saying much. However, he's always bowled a consistant line and length and has a nice action, but he's straying onto leg far too much in this series and is bowling too many short pitched deliveries. Another thing that annoys me about him, is the fact that he bowls around 90 mph, but never gets the zip off the pitch that the others do, for whatever reason. It's really quite strange, because you have three England bowlers who have the abiliy to bowl top teams out in Anderson, Onions, Flintoff, and possibly even Swann (who hasn't really needed to come to the party yet in this test). And, then you have Broad. I think he'll become a very good bowler, but he's not doing at the moment, with the ball at least. On the other hand, if someone like Harmison or Sidebottom came in, that would leave you with a long tail of Harmison, Anderson and Onions. Although, Anderson has improved immensely in this area, playing some beautiful Gower-esque shots in the last test, I'm still not convinced that he will get us and average of 20 or 30 runs every innings.
Justin
Guest
Colin good point re Watson, surely he is in there to do 10 overs a day. Aus would be filthy with Rudi, thats for sure... On another note why do England persist in playing Broad? Has to be one of the worst bowlers in international cricket. Its lucky he can score a few handy runs....
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
Surprising Watson was not bowled. If they get on today Australia have to strike early and Siddle and Hilfenhaus look most likely.It is time for Australia's bowlers to prove if they have what it takes. How long can they ignore Clark? Onions is a lot like John Snow. Lean and wiry and he had one ball that registered 92MPH. Serious heat that.
Fuchal
Guest
Less a comment on the article, and more a comment on its incorrect publication in the rugby section. Can a moderator or admin please remove it from the rugby section? D
Colin N
Guest
Just a pointer, why didn't Pointing put Watson on to bowl if only just for a couple of overs? Is he carrying a slight injury? It's good to see the 'other' English bowlers do well and exploit the conditions.
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
LAS- Good swing bowling will undo the best of batsmen. Early on the ball was still new and the cloud cover made it ideal conditions. The English bowlers then proceeded to bowl with accuracy and discipline. Onions was outstanding and made mincemeat(bhaji) of the batting. Watson and Hussey were caught sleeping. The resultant pressure on Ponting and Clarke was inexorable. Having negotiated the worst,Ponting's attempted hook was ill advised. North is ok on true tracks and with minimal deviation of the ball. It is to be remembered here that even Doug Walters struggled in England. The swinging ball tests the best of techniques and temperaments. Noth's shot was more due to temperament then technique as he had negotiated the hard bit already. I agree that an opening batsman starts his innings many times in a session. But this is also tru of other top order batsmen. Got to bat "ugly" at times. It also highlights that England's planning and tactics have been better post Cardiff. Advantage England.