The Return of Mitch's Mojo - Day Two at Perth

Ah, hubris. Just as England supporters and bloggers (ahem), not to mention the Australian media, had written them off, back came Australia. Having been an absolute shambles for the best part of two tests the game, and the series, is well and truly on.

The catalyst for this was the man whose selection brought widespread criticism from pretty much all quarters. Mitchell Johnson has had a miserable 2010 but today he showed just why he was the 2009 World Cricketer of the Year. With this arm slightly higher, and his seam position perfect, his combination of pace and swing proved irresistible. With fine support from Ryan Harris in particular, he emerged from the last chance saloon in style.

The day didn’t start so well for Australia. Cook and Strauss saw off the new ball, with Haddin and Watson making a hash of a regulation chance in a manner that called Adelaide to mind, but once Hussey had clung on to a low chance to dismiss Cook it was all Australia and England’s tail couldn’t match the feats of their opponents. Those late order runs on day one looked as though they may be a futile gesture, but they could now end up being the difference between the sides and Australia deserve great credit for the strength of character that they have shown since just after lunch yesterday.

They still have their problems, though, and there are still crumbs of comfort for England. Hughes, Ponting and Clarke all failed again, although it is Hughes’s first test of the series, and they are not out of sight yet. If England can take wickets tomorrow morning then the game is far from over: there have been some big fourth innings totals at the WACA of late and the pitch still looks largely blameless. On the other hand, if Australia can swing the ball like they did today then chasing any sort of decent total will be problematic. Australia will hope that good Mitch is here to stay – one of his problems in the last couple of years has been stringing performances together, but if he can then the series will take on a new aspect.

Such is the beauty of test cricket. Just twenty four hours ago England were riding the crest of a wave and contemplating having the Ashes sewn up by Melbourne, but now they are wondering how they can hang on here. It is truly the greatest form of the greatest sport in the world.