Much will be written about the state of both Australian and English cricket teams at the conclusion of the current series. In England, however, there is no doubt that the postmortems will already begin.
Put simply, the spine of the English team needs to be accountable. Time and again throughout the series thus far, the most experienced players in the English team have been at fault and let their less experienced counterparts down.
Let’s recap their performances…
Alastair Cook
Hasn’t been able to find his mojo this tour. The Australians seem to have worked him out.
For a fleeting moment in this test in Perth, he looked a little shadow of his former self, but it wasn’t sustained.
His captaincy, too, has lacked imagination and vigour.
Michael Carberry
This guy has been possibly the most consistent batsman on tour. That said, he can’t seem to get beyond a ‘start’.
If he can convert these starts into tons, then he will hold his place long term.
Joe Root
Bats with a great temperament and patience beyond his baby-faced years. A long-term number three if Trott fails to return to international cricket.
Failing that, possibly an opener to bat with his skipper if Carberry doesn’t work out as an option.
Kevin Pietersen
Throughout this series, time and again, KP has looked unable to manage his ego when batting.
He has chimed in on very rare occasions to inspire his younger teammates, but has not contributed in any major way this series.
Thoroughly disappointing in every way, his career is on the line on Boxing Day. What does he want his legacy to be?
At the moment, for me, he is not respecting his teammates enough through his performances and needs to be punted.
Ian Bell
I love this guy. While he may not have contributed to the extent that he is capable of (and let’s face it, in England, he dominated the entire Aussie attack) his natural ability dictates he must move up the order.
Ben Stokes
Impressive – really impressive.
His ton in the second innings should’ve been a lesson to KP and others. Let’s hope they were watching.
I’m tipping a massive Ashes series from him in 2015.
Matt Prior
He’s had a test in Perth he’d rather forget.
Well, a series for that matter. His batting has been woeful and his glove-work not much better.
Similar to KP, I’d suggest his career goes on the line on Boxing Day in Melbourne. Do they play Jonny Bairstow as a keeper?
Stuart Broad
Injury aside, he has been England’s shining light throughout the three Tests. Undoubtedly one of the best bowlers in the world, he can bat too.
Most importantly, he plays with guts, tenacity and doesn’t take a backward step. His spot is safe as houses.
Tim Bresnan
Only played one Test thus far, so hard to judge. Should hold his place in the team for now, particularly with Broad’s injury.
Graeme Swann
Throughout the tour has been a shadow of his former self. He did bowl well in Australia’s second innings in Perth without a lot of luck and Prior’s poor keeping didn’t help.
He is one of four playing for his future this Boxing Day. He may be just lucky that Monty Panesar is the only other option…
James Anderson
It’s hard to fathom how one of England’s greatest ever fast bowlers was smacked around the WACA for 28 runs off one over by George Bailey.
Anderson hasn’t bowled anywhere near his best this series. Will this tour be his swansong?
So with all that in mind, does England make wholesale changes before Boxing Day or after? Is there a point in carrying players that aren’t performing, even if they’ve played 100 tests?
I don’t think so. England need to blood players this tour, just as they have with Stokes.
Do you feed new players to the wolves and blood them in front of 100,000 on Boxing Day, or wait until Sydney?
For what it’s worth, as an Australian fan, here’s my English XI for Boxing Day (assuming Broad is clear of injury): Cook, Carberry, Root, Bell, Gary Ballance, Stokes, Prior, Bresnan, Broad, Swann, Anderson.
England need to rediscover something and quick – Australia has outplayed them in every aspect of the game this series.
A whitewash is absolutely on the cards, unless something drastic changes.
Buckers
Guest
Ponting should have tried opening later in his career, so maybe Pietersen
Buckers
Guest
Maybe Cook, Pietersen, Root, Bell, Ballance, Stokes, Bairstow, Bresnan, Swann, Broad/Finn, Onions. You could rule out Broad and send him home and bring in Onions quickly. Although Broad is the best bowler atm, and he will be fit for Sydney.
josh
Roar Rookie
The only certainties should be Carberry, Root, Bell and Stokes. I'd include Broad but due to injury he's out. With Carberry, Root and Bell the first three. Stokes at 5. Leaves a #4, #5, WK and bowlers. Panesar should come in for Swann. The rest is up for grabs. Might be a inexperienced squad, but they couldn't do any worse.
Gr8rWeStr
Guest
You never really know if you've got a better alternative until those alternatives are given a go. Ben Stokes' 1st Class record, while adequate, hardly demanded selection but he stood up, at least in this Test. Who is likely to provide more to the team effort in the next match, is really the question, not who's better credentialed, although credentials may be an indicator of that.
Gr8rWeStr
Guest
As with all 'hit and miss' players, its the ratio between hits and misses, when the misses outweigh the hits they become a liability. The question is, has KP reached that point? Of course, underlying that question is what constitutes a hit?
english twizz
Guest
cook needs to be dropped as captain batting hasnt been good since made captain and kp must go
Frankie Hughes
Guest
TBH I'd rather see Pietersen, Swann and Anderson play at the MCG. We are destroying these overrated players. I like seeing Anderson's mouth being shut once and for all
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
You should only drop a player if you have someone more credentialled ready to come in. I don't think England has that in any position. So, if they are to make changes, it can only be to send a message to certain players that they need to improve if they want to represent their country (or, in the case of KP, Stokes etc, someone else's country).
Les of Queensland
Guest
Captain James Cook founded Australia and if left to Captain Alistair Cook this game would not be played. He lost the cherry overboard, went slow when it should have been attack and 6 wide balls each over to bowl the maidens over. This was the game of finding the target (Australia) and landing in Victory, ha, still floundering at sea. Ben Stokes,well done, Stuart Broad, was an inspiration, except for his ego instead of his attack. England are looking down the barrel of the 5 cannons before they can land a blow, 3 direct hits already, the campaign has gone to ASHES.
Morgan Popham
Roar Pro
KP's batting has been diabolical this summer. Getting caught on the boundary trying to save a game? that's inexcusable really. In saying that he will play but I agree his career is on the line but scoring a ton in a dead rubber is that really acceptable where were the runs when it mattered?
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
So drop KP, the most successful player in the team, for someone who has never played at the level? He is a hit or miss type player, you cant take the "wins a game on his own" without taking a few "misses out going for a big shot". Match winners are needed. And it also seems a strange statement at the end to say "A whitewash is absolutely on the cards, unless something drastic changes" and then only make one change to your side.