Despite an agonising 14-run loss, Australia have raked in some respect from English critics.
Let’s be frank, the DRS is useless; regardless of what anyone says, my opinion won’t change. It just sets up controversy and rightly or wrongly, costs sides Test matches.
Broad added 28 runs, we lost by 14. It was a touch and go situation. Trott was unlucky to be given out, and so was Haddin.
Australia should have won, and when you think about it, it shouldn’t have come down to a 66-run stand between Pattinson and Haddin. If Australia’s middle order had got something on board, we would’ve won with flying colours.
England aren’t the most vulnerable team, but no batsman got runs for Australia in both innings, and we were still just a few shots away from victory.
Despite this, it is going to be a hugely tough series on both sides. And I’ve thought up a few do’s and don’ts for both teams.
Don’ts – Australia
Don’t pick Ed Cowan – This guy has now broken the ice. He shouldn’t have been picked in India, and despite a good first class record, he just doesn’t look like scoring a run unless he is bowled a rank short ball outside the off-stump. I feel sorry for him because he looks like a good guy, but Khawaja should get a gig in the next Test.
Don’t bowl on Jonathan Trott’s pads – We bowl outside off-stump, he chops it on; we bowl on his pads, he clips it through mid-wicket for four. This guy is a class player, but we cannot afford to concede boundary after boundary just because we are average enough to bowl to his strengths.
Don’t hang our heads after the first Test loss – We were within a heartbeat of the target. Heads up and looking forward folks! Lord’s will be different, and we will pick a stronger team. We were rank underdogs and nearly pipped ’em.
Don’t rely on the lower order to get runs, but get bowlers who can bat – It isn’t intentional nor is it easy, but if Australia aren’t scoring runs, we need to just bat time. England do it and look at where they are. South Africa did it in Adelaide and saved the match and then won the series. Everyone we pick has to have two sides to them, defensive and offensive, otherwise, they are a liability.
Don’ts – England
Don’t rely only on James Anderson – It nearly cost them. Anderson went off with a cramp after bowling 13 straight overs. Broad offered good support and Swann is a class-act, but Finn was smashed from pillar to post. If Anderson went down, England would be in some trouble.
Don’t think Graeme Swann = automatic success – I felt they were throwing all their eggs into one basket when they bowled Swann. Australia showed that if you smother his spin, he isn’t as effective. This is also the case for when they played him back in the crease. If you come half forward and half back, he will strike, and do not go hard at him outside the off-stump; Haddin played him ideally.
Do’s – Australia
Pick Jackson Bird – When Bird first got his opportunity, I found it appalling it was at the expense of Mitchell Starc. Despite this, I find it the right move currently. Starc needs to work on consistency, and Bird has wickets written all over him.
Pick an order that is solid – Watson, Rogers, Cowan, Clarke, Smith and Hughes is not the most solid top six. Boof surprised a few with this make-up, and Clarke did too with the order they came in, and although it nearly paid off, it needs to be more sturdy and tricky for the English bowlers.
Attack James Anderson – Anderson is at his best when batsman don’t want to play him. Haddin showed it; play your shots against him. I understand that with the new ball, his swing is lethal, and on a Trent Bridge wicket that held up off the pitch, you didn’t want to risk it. But at Lord’s, I would love to see England’s spearhead under a bit of pressure. But despite this, he remains a dangerous bowler.
Bat Clarke at 5 – His statistics speak for themselves; the skipper is one of, if not the, best batsmen in world cricket. Regarding his batting position, he keeps saying “it makes no difference”. If it makes no difference, bat where you succeed the most. I mean no criticism toward Pup, but it is just something which should happen.
Do’s – England
Stick with Finn – Finn worries me when he gets it right. He can be lethal, and he is the quickest bowler in the English line-up. He copped a bit of stick from Agar, but as did Swann, and if Cook didn’t want him to bowl short, he could have spoken to him about it. Haddin gave it to him in the second innings, and he was feeling the pressure no doubt, but needs to be persisted with.
Don’t get carried away – They’re 1-0 up, whether rightly or wrongly. Australia will have to come back better, there’s no doubt about it. But England need to buckle up as well.
Finally, I would like to talk about the playing XI Australia should pick. I am expecting England will pick Bresnan in place of Finn, which I don’t agree with. That will be their only change. However, Australia’s XI is what concerns me. I would like to see this:
1. Shane Watson – Looks comfortable. Had a regulation dismissal in first innings, and again, a debatable dismissal in the second.
2. Chris Rogers – The tough nut. I don’t think he was out in the first innings, and got a ball that held up in the second.
3. Usman Khawaja – In place of Cowan who is struggling.
4. Steve Smith – Looks good until he plays a loose shot.
5. Michael Clarke – A proven success at 5.
6. Phil Hughes – 81* in the first innings and got an absolute beauty from Swann in the second.
7. Brad Haddin – Showed his class in the second inning; a little adventurous in the first.
8. Ashton Agar – I don’t need to say anything. Bowled well, and batted, well yeah.
9. James Pattinson – Can bat, and he has proven it earlier. He doesn’t give his wicket away where most tailenders do. When he gets his eye in, he is quite a challenging player to get out. Bowled with aggression, batted with heart.
10. Peter Siddle – Bowled well without being superb and still got a 5-for though. Imagine what he’d be like at his absolute best. Looks organised as a batsman, and then just plays an unnecessary shot to get dismissed.
11. Jackson Bird – Mr. accuracy. Australia needs a bowler who will build pressure. Bird can do this, and bowl a wicket-taking-ball consistently. He can swing the ball both ways. I’m not sure if he is a James Anderson, but more will be known about him in the future.
12th man. Mitchell Starc – Needs work on his consistency, has a great wicket ball in him, but seems to struggle to build pressure. He is a work in progress.
So, what do you roarers think? England to go 2-up? Aussies to tie it up? Or is a no result on the cards?
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