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Flat Australia blunted by Denly and Stokes

14th September, 2019
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14th September, 2019
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Australia’s hopes of winning their first Test series in England since 2001 slipped away last night as they produced a flat effort with the ball and in the field in the fifth Ashes Test.

After retaining the Ashes at Old Trafford, Australia celebrated with vigour, as well they might given the significance of what they achieved. This Australian side has been starved of success on the road in the past six or seven years so taking a 2-1 lead to hold on to the Ashes was a big deal.

Australian skipper Tim Paine then made the right noises about his side being focused only on winning this series. Whether they would be able to play at full throttle after retaining the urn was unclear.

Now it is clear.

Australia have been sloppy and uninspired over the past three days. First Paine made the odd choice to bowl first on what is known as England’s best Test batting pitch and the one that most closely resembles Australian conditions.

Then Australia let England off the hook on Day 1 by turfing a slew of catches. After that loose performance in the field they batted like a side that had nothing on the line. Given a second crack at the England batting unit they put down even more catches.

Tim Paine reflects on victory

(AP Photo/Rui Vieira)

Meanwhile, for the first time in this series, their entire attack looked deflated. Playing his fifth Test on the bounce after a draining World Cup, Pat Cummins has looked knackered. He is the only bowler from either side to play through that entire 50-over tournament as well as fronting up for all five Tests.

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There was debate after the fourth Test about whether Cummins should be rested. As the world’s number one Test bowler, he needs to be protected by Australia. In hindsight, they would have been better served by giving him a spell and instead playing Mitchell Starc or James Pattinson.

Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon also cut tired figures last night. Part of the reason for that was how well England’s top order batted.

Rory Burns and Joe Denly produced the highest opening stand of the series. While it amounted only to 54 runs, by the time it was broken, Australia’s attack was clearly flagging. It wasn’t that their quicks bowled horribly, rather that they were lacking the vigour they normally boast.

This was exploited by Denly, Burns and in-form all-rounder Ben Stokes. Having begun the series looking like a walking wicket, Denly has had a dramatic turnaround, to the point where he should now get a decent run at Test cricket. Last night he showcased a tight defence while, for the most part, shelving the optimistic off drives that had continually brought him unstuck. He was dismissed just short of his maiden Test ton, dismissed for 94.

Stokes, meanwhile, continued his stunning series. Batting with controlled aggression, the left-hander helped to push the Aussies out of this Test with his solid 67.

The challenge for Australia now will be to show some gumption with the bat on Day 4. There may be some futures riding on that, most obviously the Test career of 31-year-old former keeper turned batsman Matt Wade. But he is only one of five members of Australia’s top seven desperately in need of some runs.

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Australia have the Ashes packed away in their kit bag. The urn is not going anywhere. But they will be keen not to end this fine series on a flat note by surrendering in this final Test.

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