Day 4 was going to be make or break for Australia in this first Test at Cardiff.
All of the top order have to make runs this innings, but it only took 9 overs for Broad to make a breakthrough, Rogers nicking a climbing ball to the slip cordon.
Smith and Warner started with a solid partnership, putting on 78 together before Warner got caught in front and was dismissed by Ali for 52.
After Warner was given out LBW, the umpires called for lunch, ending an opening batting session much improved on Australia’s first innings, which isn’t saying much.
Another wicket fell on the other side of lunch, an out-swinging length ball from Broad being edged by Smith to the slips, ending Smith’s innings on 33.
This gave England a chance to pin down the two new batsmen, Voges and Clarke.
Five overs later Clarke was dismissed, edging a Broad half volley to Stokes at backward point, only making five runs.
At this stage Australia had lost three wickets for nine runs, and Watson really had to step up to the challenge if he wanted to retain his place in the side.
Voges went soon after, an outside edge from Mark Wood going through to the keeper.
Ali was brought on six overs later, making an immediate impact when Haddin took him on and edged it to Cook at silly midwicket, Haddin only making seven.
Watson’s woes continued, his issues with LBW again exploited relentlessly, with Mark Wood getting him out for 19.
Johnson and Starc made a stand against the English attack, putting on a 72-run partnership, before Starc fell, caught in the slips for 17.
Johnson fell next on 77, another outside edge carrying to Lyth at first slip, ending what was the best performance of the Australian second innings, a sorry thing to say considering what the Australian top order needed to do.
Hazlewood fell in the next over, going after Ali and skying it down to Joe Root at long off, ending Australia’s innings, all out for 242.
In an sight which is becoming increasingly common for the Australian Test side, it was left to the lower order to try to resurrect their hopes in the match, only this time it wasn’t enough.
Johnson was the pick of the batsmen with his 77, the highest score in Australia’s second run chase, and second highest score for Australia overall this match.
There are serious questions which need to be asked about this top order.
By themselves, none of the batsmen in this Australian side are bad.
They’re world-class, but it seems there’s an issue when they come together which causes them to fall apart at the seams.
Normally, one or two people have managed to rise above the collapses and set Australia back on course, but it wasn’t the case this match and England seized on the opportunity.
Then there’s the issue of Shane Watson, a man who’s career keeps getting too many chances.
His batting performances have been stale for the past few years, his last century being at the WACA in December 2013, and only managing to score more than 50 on three occasions since then.
His bowling performances have been what has kept him in the side, but with Mitch Marsh knocking on the door, it seems like it’s time for a change.
Hopefully the Australian team and staff take a lot of lessons from this mediocre performance, and can represent Australia in a much better light than they did in Cardiff.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
Jackson. Well done for your daily wraps. Will you keep it up for the entire Ashes?.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
That was odd when he said that. Maybe if he thinks he says it that the mere act of saying makes it magically true.
JGK
Roar Guru
Incorrect. Neither can bat any more.
Lance Skelton
Guest
Can everyone stop paying out on Shane Watson and Brad Haddin......Actually, come to think of it, they've got a point. one can't bat any more, and one can't catch any more.
JimmyB
Guest
I don't think that they lack the skill at all, they do seem to lack the willingness to adapt their approach to the local conditions... although that is subject to change obviously. ;)
JimmyB
Guest
Well that's kind of the point isn't it, we can all say if only our team had done this or that then we would have won, God knows we're seeing it today. I think England won the first test fair and square and NZ the second fair and square. Who knows what the result would have been in a 3 or 5 match series, the teams are very evenly matched. England and English fans have great admiration for this kiwi team by the way.
Targa
Guest
No offence, but what did I rewrite? We had a huge lead on the 1st innings of the 1st test, but Southee and Craig bowled incredibly poorly, Corey Anderson was injured and Root, Cook and Stokes capitalised brilliantly. When we batted on the 5th day the tail panicked and slogged (Boult last man out trying to a hit a six to deep third man is an example). Then in the 2nd test NZ played to their ability for the whole game with rain being the biggest threat to a comprehensive victory. Full credit to England who took their chances in the 1st test and played magnificently in the ODI series -deserved winners.
WALLABY THRASHER
Guest
Australia lack the skill required to win on pitches outside Australia & south Africa.
Andrew
Guest
Not to mention 1st use of the conditions by winning a coin toss.
Nick
Guest
Agree that there is little to choose between most of the test teams which is why home advantage is often the decisive factor.
JimmyB
Guest
Really Targa? Rewriting history so soon.
Targa
Guest
This shows us that most teams in test cricket are all pretty equal. South Africa are clearly no 1. There is very little between Australia, Pakistan, NZ, England and India - all teams are very equal, although Australia and Pakistan will soon lose some experienced players to retirement. Sri Lanka might have fallen away a bit with the likes of Sanga and Jayawardene having/about to retire. They will drop to about the West Indies' level. West Indies are poor but have some talent. Bangladesh (if allowed to play 'big' teams) could become a very good side and will probably be better than both the WI and SL soon. Zimbabwe are a basketcase.
Targa
Guest
As a Kiwi we should have won that test series 2-0, but we played dumb cricket, some of the IPL boys were a bit underdone (arrived in the UK 3-4 days before 1st test) and England played really well and capitalised. At least your boys have plenty of time to come back to win the series. We could only settle for a drawn series. With a longer test series NZ would've won well. Just wondering would they drop Watson and Haddin during a test series? Would either of these blokes make any other top 5 side - one of the weakest 6/7 combos in the world.
DC-NZ
Guest
Hahhah, thats right, sorry guys but its a Watto schadenfraude kind of day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQdCO6duLs8&feature=youtu.be&a
Grand Armee
Guest
Like in the Pakistan series, right?
DC-NZ
Guest
Glenn Maxwell would have done better than Watto.
Brian
Guest
Was it also a fluke when they lost to the Windies? Hopefully this is the wakeup call Aus needed.
Simoc
Guest
Yes that was bad. While we were thoroughly outplayed the second innings batting capitulation reeked until Johnson arrived and added credibility. It seems they've knicked our aggressive tactics and are using them to beat us. Who'de a thought . The easiest solution is to sack our coach, it works in football so why not here. What use is the extra speed when its more about movement and control in England. Also toss Haddin and Watson onto the scrap heap. it's time for fresh faces and a lot better showing at Lords.
Mitcher
Guest
Is drawing 1-1 at home to the kiwis really considered doing well? Genuine question. Unless you're talking about the ODIs, which surely have little relevance here. England played really well in this test. Thoroughly deserved win. Don't let bitterness impact your enjoyment.
Rob JM
Guest
Only for the half hour that it took for our top order to collapse! :(