Accuse me of treachery if you care to but not enough attention has been directed towards Australia in this Ashes series.
As is generally the way, that of a negative persuasion will always be more enticing to comment on than its positive cousin and here is an example that hasn’t been bucking the trend.
I’m not referring to the less palatable side of the hosts’ behaviour which is like fillet steak to a cat to the opposite side’s media – and vice versa before you start – but more with regard to what they’ve produced on the field in a cricketing sense.
Too much has been offered that condemns England’s efforts with causes for a pair of drubbings that I’ve seen include, in no particular order, Alastair Cook’s captaincy, the English team’s schedule, poor batting, uninspiring bowling, shoddy fielding, a detailed menu, English arrogance (lazy stereotyping – come on you can do better than that) and I’m sure there are more.
But while it can’t be denied that some of these have almost certainly played their part, every effect has a cause somewhere down the line.
At the weekend, if you’re a fan of English football, you may have noticed that Manchester United were beaten at home by Newcastle, the team I follow, but a coincidence in this instance, honestly.
By all accounts, it was a tactically shrewd performance by the visitors who enjoyed more than their fair share of possession, had the contest’s better individual contributions and we’re good value for their victory.
Yet if you’d seen some of the coverage in the aftermath you may have found it hard to believe that Newcastle has actually been present.
Manchester United haven’t been pulling up any trees by their very high standards, in fact they’re struggling a bit, but Newcastle deserved far more praise than they were awarded.
It is very easy to forget that a sporting contest takes two participants to exist and while an analytical balance is virtually impossible to expect, there’s no harm in trying once in a while.
Australia have been by far the superior side, that much is obvious to all but the most myopic, and it is the ferocity of their approach that done the damage.
Those that have accused England of complacency are way wide of the mark and are simply resorting to an easy put-down.
It has been the overtly aggressive style that the home team have brought to the dance which has been the equivalent of switching on the torch with a rabbit in range.
Given what has transpired, you would think that Mitchell Johnson turned up at the Gabba as a complete unknown, not the bowler that has served up, when his stars haven’t been aligned, some pretty pare fare in the past.
But Darren Lehmann and Michael Clarke have obviously come up with a strategy to use Johnson in short bursts and tell him, in crude terms no doubt, to bowl quickly and stick it up what’s in front of him and the results would tell you that it has worked.
They have decided that spin won’t cause them a problem if it’s attacked and attacked continually, by right-handers in the main although too much is mad of this particular angle, and Graeme Swann’s struggles show success in that area.
Kevin Pietersen’s egotistical approach to his work has been played on to the extent that defeating the challenge of two midwickets has been beyond him.
The profligate use of the short ball could be seen as a waste of effort in other instances but it’s drawing out injudicious and thoughtless shots as the number caught deep on the leg-side indicates.
And, yes I know it’s not strictly cricketing but it has been integral, the over-the-top verbal barrage that has been administered, while an unashamed assertion of the Australian sporting psyche, has dragged them from the meek side of the past English summer to a reincarnation of the sides that used to habitually come out on top.
So feel free to slag of the currently hopeless Poms – I’m sure no encouragement is really needed – but save some energy for praising those who are causing the hopelessness.
They are actually doing quite a good job of it.
Alec Swann
Expert
I think you're being a bit harsh on your countrymen. Two blokes - Clarke and Johnson - in stellar form and a couple more not far behind is generally enough to win games as has been the case. They could do with sorting out some of their batting though if they are to maintain their upturn in form.
Alec Swann
Expert
The last time England were in Australia Graeme's role was talked up far too much, with some saying that if he did poorly England would have no chance. Of course that was nonsense and a spinner of that style can only really be expected to do a holding role which he did pretty well. With this in mind, the way the Aussies have gone after him has been calculated and very well executed. And the number of right-handers can't be a coincidence, I certainly agree with you on that.
Mick the Clown
Guest
Alec, The answer to your question of why we do not praise the victors is simple. - Because they have been really poor. (But ENgland poorer. 1st test: 4 of our top 6 batsmen failed twice. - It is just that England failed more 2nd test, If Clarke, Haddin, Bailey all who were dropped in single fingures, had have been caught we would be all out for 250 in the first inings and game on. - We were really poor, but England were poorer. Barring some individual brilliance by Johnson, and some individual good batting performance, mediocrity appears acceptable in the current Aus Team. - (Lyon's figures of 2/150 for the game, when 20 wickets were taken for just over 500 runs), continual failure of batsmen says a lot.
Bayman
Guest
Alec, Your brother is currently experiencing a rebirth of the old Australian adage that, "Off-spinners can't bowl". This despite the obvious hold he had over the lefties in England. That performance shamed all those who had gone before and spent their cricketing life thinking offies were just cannon fodder. It's one reason why very few offies have ever held centre stage in Australia (perhaps only Trumble, Mallett and, maybe, Yardley). Tim May was ok and Nathan Lyon has not exactly been a failure even if he does not run through many batting line-ups. No doubt, as coach, Darren Lehmann has re-implemented the notion that he once gave to new boy Michael Vaughan when the former England captain was starting out at Yorkshire. He told Vaughan that he had all the shots in the nets but needed to play them in the middle. He also said, tellingly in regard to off-spinners, "Remember Michael, they never put fieldsmen in the car park!" I suspect young Graeme is under attack and deliberately so. The only lefties in the lineup are the opening pair who, if they survive the initial onslaught, are 'in' before Graeme comes on to bowl. Then it's all right-handers down to Haddin at seven. A far cry from England and not a coincidence. Incidentally, Graeme is still the best offie in the world but, traditionally, they have never been a major factor out here where the carparks are as big as the grounds on which we play.
ozinsa
Guest
I remember thinking the comments made by Lehmann urging Australian crowds to boo Broad were stupid and hypocritical but they now seem merely to have been the first stone thrown in the larger avalanche that is his (and perhaps Clarke's) strategy to get nasty to get even. Personally I think a little bit of Captain/Coach Cranky suits our persona and thus allows us to play without too many thoughts of how we want to do what we want to do. More power to Boof for the strategy and for the implementation (fingers crossed I'm not going off too early and we finish the job).
Luke Smyke
Roar Pro
Well written Alec and a great observation. Not enough is being said about the excellence of the Australians in resurrecting their performances on the international stage.
Broken-heartedToy
Guest
The English press and fans aren't much better. They are really wound up because they think the English team is a lot better than Australia and can't understand why they are losing to such a mediocre team. Some of the stuff I've read from the English side is kind of insulting, it's not just the Aus fans and press who are behaving in this stupid manner.
Ray Charles
Guest
Couldn't have said it better myself Tassie Pie
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I think this is a very needed piece. Australia have been fantastic and deserve a huge amount of plaudits and also respect. They were being vilified not so long ago so they have shown fantastic character and hard work to turn things around. I think the point about Australia being responsible for England's poor play is also highly pertinent. Whilst cricket is a team sport in name, it is far more a series of personal battles and Australia quite simply are winning all of them. They're also far more united as a team and are simply blowing England away. As I mentioned in my own piece, by Australia's own lofty standards this is far from a vintage team but it is a team that is performing beyond the sum of its' parts. For that again they should be commended. There has been a lot of hard work done clearly.
Don Corleone
Guest
Quite simply, many fair-weather Australian cricket 'fans' who have been so petulant because Australia hasn't been winning every game...they don't know how to say anything positive about the team anymore.
atgm is back
Guest
Nice article but still eng must take some strong decisions for perth e.g drop swann,stokes and anderson
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Well said, Alec.
jamesb
Guest
This is a report/ vid about Johnson and Stokes. Have a look at 0.22sec in the vid. It's hilarious. http://www.cricket.com.au/news-list/2013/12/9/mitch-johnson-and-ben-stokes-charged
jamesb
Guest
Great piece Alec We always look at the negatives and right ATM, England is getting a barrage of criticism. It wasn't that long ago that Australia cop it, so it's interesting how the roles have reversed. Australia still has a long way to go. Rogers, Watson, Smith and Bailey have all got question marks. I hope they start contributing soon and don't rely on Clarke or Haddin's rescue missions from number 7. I also think off the field Australia s slowly getting it right. Lehmann as coach, while Billy has come back as a fast bowling mentor. Maybe we need Warne to be a coach for Lyon
Tassie Pie
Guest
I don't think enough is being made of the influence of Captain Clarke. Clarke's record with the bat over the past few years has been outstanding. Clarke at the crease gives me the same feeling that Border and S. Waugh used to...everything is going to be ok. His captaincy is innovative and bold. My kids think he is a deadest genius and can't understand why people don't hold him in the same esteem as other legends of the game. Ok he behaved like a bit of an ass at times early in his career but focus and expectations are so high these days who wouldn't be perceived like that at times. He presents well to the media and is honest and forthright. All this with a chronic back injury that would have the rest of us laid up in bed claiming workers compo. Give the guy a break Aussies and give him the respect he deserves.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The biggest improvement IMO is the fielding, outstanding catches are making a huge difference. Boof & McDermott are also making a big difference. This is a happy and united team, finally. Guys the author of this piece goes by the name of Alec not Alex !
Tim H
Guest
Absolutely right Alex, I've read a lot of Aussie posts bashing the poms, but the way they have been dismantled on this tour, it's a bit like clubbing baby seals. Then we have another group of Aussies who think it is uncricketlike to sledge. Personally, I think exactly the opposite. In any case it takes two (teams) to tango. Then we have the the third group, the doubters. Mitchell Johnson will go back to bowling waywardly any over now. Brad Haddin is past it. Insert name here isn't a player of test standard. Ironically, it takes an Englishman to point out the bleeding obvious: Australia are winning because they are the better team. Notice I said team. On paper, England have better batsmen and bowlers. But they are playing as individuals. Australia, on the other hand, (and despite their many critics) are suddenly united and irresistible. Mitchell Johnson is not the difference between the two teams. The Aussies are bowling as a unit, and their batsman are taking responsibility for each other. It's a remarkable turnaround from just a few months ago. Lehmann, Clarke, and the team collectively deserve our praise for that. Even if it is most unAustralian to do so.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
Think Carberry has been OK in that role. Much better than Compton, who I would have had in there.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Nice piece Alec, agree a lot of coverage of how " bad " the Poms have been and probably not enough kudos to the home team. When reading the UK papers the blogosphere are waiting for MJ to have a meltdown or run out of gas. " wait till he bowls a few loose balls " or " he is flaky and the run wont last ". I find these comments bizzare really, yes his temperament has been questionable in the past however the guy is red hot at the moment. He is heading to his home deck and will be just as relentless you would think.
FTR
Guest
Cheers, Alec. I can't help but think that Cook is missing a Trescothick/Strauss figure to score quickly alongside him at the top of the order and allow him to grind at his own pace.