Australia’s batting was eviscerated by a purposeful and determined England attack on the opening day of the third Test.
Led by James Anderson’s Ashes-best 6-47, the tourists were humbled – all out 136 from a mere 36.4 overs.
It was a massive comedown for the Australians, who rollicked to a first innings total of 8-566 at Lord’s and a massive 405-run victory.
Michael Clarke won the toss and batted, but admitted that the batsmen would be tested early with an even tinge of grass the length of a hard Edgbaston strip.
FULL SCOREBOARD FROM DAY 1 AT EDGBASTON
For his part, Alastair Cook said he too would have batted given the choice. Over the next few hours he was no doubt counting his blessings that the coin did not fall in his favour.
While the pitches for the first two Tests of the series were largely grassless, benign and lacking in carry, Birmingham offered the bowlers something in concert with the heavy overhead conditions.
However, in essence, Australia’s batsmen did as much to undo themselves as England’s bowlers did.
David Warner was out to a good delivery from Anderson that pitched in line and straightened up to have him trapped in front for 2.
Aside from that, England’s job was made easy.
Yes, they bowled tightly, with a combination of aggression and control, but the pitch and atmospheric conditions should not have added up to an innings total of 136 inside 37 overs.
Chris Rogers’ innings of 52 was the standout, both in quantity and quality. He waited for the ball to come to him and demurred on driving down the ground to swinging balls on the up.
In the end he fell leg before, hitting across the line to a fullish ball from Stuart Broad. But in his defence, by that point he was rapidly running out of partners.
Too many of the Australians were drawn to the ball like boats were to the rocks on the Rhine by the mythical Lorelei.
Adam Voges and Mitchell Starc both fell to edges as they were attempting to leave balls they had initially decided to play.
Michael Clarke got off the mark with a boundary to third man – again off an edge after he failed to get his bat out of the line when attempting a late leave. A few balls later he was clean bowled by a quick, full and largely straight delivery from Steven Finn.
The more times you saw the replay the more you wondered how a player of Clarke’s ability could have missed it altogether. You also started to question what the future may be for the Test skipper.
Steve Smith was due a failure after a stellar run, however his innings was terminated on 7 when he edged a delivery from Finn that was well enough wide of off-stump that he could have let it harmlessly pass.
Mitchell Marsh played an ill-advised drive to a short-of-length wide away swinger from Anderson and departed for a third-ball duck. It was a totally injudicious shot given the nascence of his innings and the parlous state of the scoreboard.
It got worse when Peter Nevill, who in the eyes of Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden was a lucky inclusion, offered no shot at all to Anderson and was bowled for 2.
On a day when Australia’s batsmen were shown up the one man who stood firm was Rogers. His was an old-fashioned, no fuss approach. Play the ball late, leave the wide balls, and punch the swinging ball rather than unload from a high back-lift.
Australia’s batsmen need to study video of his knock as it was he alone who came to terms with the conditions and the attack. And he did so with patience, technique and astute decision making.
Some would call it Test-match batting.
frisky
Guest
Well I told you so. In my last contribution, when all the letters were completely writing England off, I warned that such cockiness is dangerous. I was amazed that England were regarded as no-hopers whilen the series was tied at 1-1. It was almost worth losing the 3rd test just to silence the jingoistic crowing.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
The Aussies have given out SO MANY CAPS in the past five years it's embarrassing. They give few players any real chance by dumping them after one, two or three matches. Crazy. It's a step up to play test cricket. You need to give players time. You can't expect a new player to come into the team and immediately cover-up for senior players not performing. That's a ridiculous expectation.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Yes. Two flawed teams going at it. Would be nice to think it's still in the balance come the Oval even though the Aussies have a pretty poor record there.
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
Ask Stokes and Bairstow if Johnson is over the hill.
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
Johnson out? You're mental.
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
We almost won at the Oval last time. Watto got 176 on the first day, remember?
Zim Zam
Roar Rookie
Look, mate, we were bowled out for 136. Even against very good bowling, you'd hope an international batting line-up would get you over 200. Besides, if it's any consolation, England's batsmen were bloody awful last Ashes, and their bowling wasn't too crash hot either. We're not claiming all the credit for that one either.
Wallaby thrasher
Guest
ho,ho (&ho)
Wallaby thrasher
Guest
Baggy Greens on road to defeat, Australia destined to lose Davies Cup semi Final to GB,wallabies destined to be thumped by England in RWC...2015 is a year of sporting disaster for Australia,eh?
Ian
Guest
I'm curious about what exactly a batting coach does. We have most of the same batsmen playing the same clueless way in the same English conditions as last time. Whatever the coach is doing, the message isn't being taken in.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No, but if he's averaging 58 in shield conditions and has been one of the top shield scorers regularly throughout his career, then something is bringing his average down. Possibly his county returns.
Mark
Guest
Not real bright, are you?
Waz
Guest
Certainly not over yet - but that 8th wicket stand has made a big difference. Australia need to bat sensibly and not lose more than three wickets before close
ChrisB
Guest
I was saying this is a good test wicket, not the only kind of test wicket as the previous post seemed to be suggesting. No it's not a green top, but it is a kind of wicket we don't get much of in Aus for obvious climatic conditions
Bob
Guest
You watching spooky???? It's certainly NOT over lol .... follow cricket a bit more and you'll understand lol
JoM
Roar Rookie
I also think he should ditch the new helmet and go back to his old one. Having the grill sit a bit higher and having the top couple of bars in your peripheral vision would drive anyone around the twist. If he doesn't like it then get rid of it.
JoM
Roar Rookie
The Aussie bowlers were guilty of chasing wickets trying to defend such a low total. Like McGrath said, if you put the ball in the right place the wickets will come.
ColinP
Guest
It was the knowledge of Anderson and broad to realise that there was no swing and adapt v quickly, allied with the fact that they can bowl their wobble balls, which the Aussie attack cannot. It's skill isn't it Ronan.......Ronan where are you.....
JimmyB
Guest
I thought the same thing mate, made me chuckle reading them. There's not a whole lot of equilibrium in the average Aussie cricket fan is there?! It's either famine or feast. Some very bizarre comments on this thread, some of which from posters who should know better...but clearly don't.
jamesb
Guest
Off topic With the Australia A series, I am a bit surprised that Lynn is not in the side.