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Australia defeated England by an innings and 80 runs in a good old fashioned hiding in the fourth Ashes Tests. It levels up the series 1-1.
This match was over after day one of the Test. It was possibly over after the first session.
England’s middle order surely cannot win a Test for them. In all of the weak England teams over the last 20 years, this is the weakest 3, 4, 5 they have fielded. They have Test records that are enhanced by playing weak opposition.
We can have a close look at two of the three pretenders.
Firstly, Ian Bell.
Bell averages 39.46 in Test cricket. Not the worst record around. Against Australia, however, in 12 Tests he averages 24.60. Interestingly, against Bangladesh he averages 227.00*.
Ravi Bopara.
This bloke has actually fielded well in the series, but that doesn’t take away from the fact his batting is a disgrace. He averages a very average 33.86 in Test cricket.
His miserable average against Australia is 15.00. He, however, averages 118.33 against the West Indies’ pop gun attack.
What we can conclude from these stats is the blokes who need to be making big scores have done so in Test cricket against pop gun attacks. Against a decent attack – Australia – they are terrible.
It also highlights the fact the Windies and Bangladesh should not be playing Test cricket. But that argument for another day.
Larry, Curly, Moe and Merv finally selected Stuart Clark for this Test. After Australia had taken two early scalps on day one, Clark and Johnson gave away nothing.
They didn’t allow the pressure to come off the batsmen, and as a consequence, wickets tumbled. Clark’s 3-18 off 10 overs was outstanding.
It took too long to get a proven performer and an outstanding bowler into the team.
Now these four knuckleheads will get together and decide whether Hauritz comes in to replace Clark.
Clark bowled poorly in the second dig and got towelled up with 11 overs 0-74, but this can happen when two tail enders are swinging and playing quite well.
Broad and Swann hit through the line of the ball and were hitting bad balls for four. If these four knuckleheads dump Clark, they will be giving England a chance to win the series.
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