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What a ruthless display by Australia. A 381 run victory inside four days has shellshocked England. This has hurt the Poms.
Some big questions hang like a storm cloud over the England camp. Lets have a quick reflection on a couple of these.
What to do about Jonathan Trott?
There is little doubt Trott is rattled. His pre-ball movement, which is to plant his front foot down the wicket, closes his upper body off – especially to the pace and angle of Mitchell Johnson. This causes him to not be able to get into a good position to either sway/duck or play a pull/hook shot.
When he does attempt a pull shot, it is not with a horizontal bat but with a bat at 45 degrees. Therefore, he can only hit the ball up in the air.
What would help him is to open his stance and not have such an exaggerated movement down the wicket. This would allow him to be in a better position so he can pick up the length of delivery better and make a good decision as to how he can play the ball.
Can he make the necessary adjustments before Adelaide? I am not so sure. He has had over two months to address this issue.
Will England play him in Adelaide? I am guessing they would for continuity, taking into account Trott’s record. If they do, I am sure Harris, Johnson and Siddle won’t be too disappointed.
Graeme Swann’s ineffectiveness
England’s bowling plan revolves around rotating the three seamers, with Swann having a flexible role of attacking and defensive spinner depending on the situation.
Where this fell down in the second innings in Brisbane was when the Australians attacked Swann viciously, forcing Alastair Cook revert back to his seamers whom could have done with a bit more of a break.
This plan to attack Swann by Australia will continue, so England will certainly think about bringing the all rounder Ben Stokes in to bat middle order and be fourth seamer to take a bit of pressure off the other seamers.
In 2010/11 at Brisbane, Swann had match figures of 2-161 and followed that up with five wickets in the second innings of the second Test in Adelaide so Australia would be foolish to take him lightly.
Adelaide should take some turn (unless Cricket Australia instruct the SACA curator to leave lots of grass on the pitch!) and Swann is the quickest bowler, from debut, in the history of the game, to take 250 Test wickets. There is a good chance he can turn around the situation.
Making this more challenging for him is Australia having right handers in their middle order, a distinct ploy to reduce Swanns effectiveness.
Australia’s big positive was Mitchell Johnson. Fast, aggressive, intimidating and positive with the bat. This Test will go down as one of his very best in the baggy green.
I hear a lot about Mitchell Johnson being a ‘confidence’ player. The environment created by Michael Clarke and Darren Lehmann in this Aussie camp is tailor made for a player like Mitch.
Publicly backed and privately backed, with selection nonsense thrown out the window – remember the farcical 17 man squad picked before 2010/11 Gabba Test?.
Players are given a positive message and not wondering who is going to play. It is very noticeable that the Aussies are having fun and looking to always take the positive option in games. Finally!