It is a measure of how the dynamics of this series have shifted that it is no great surprise to see Australia bowled out for under three hundred again. Indeed, there’s almost a hint of disappointment that they got as many as they did after another dismal start, which feels very odd indeed.
Australia’s top four are in a horrible mess. The returning Phillip Hughes looked, in his brief innings, not to have made any significant progress since his last Ashes innings, and his record in Sheffield Shield cricket this winter is not that of a man in good form. Shane Watson has achieved much more at the top of the order than anyone expected, but he isn’t making the weight of runs required from an international opening batsman, Ricky Ponting has had quite a few struggles in test cricket over the last year or so and they are showing no signs of abating and Michael Clarke looks decidedly jittery. So far in the series they, and Simon Katich, have scored 474 runs between them at an average of 27.88 – take out the largely meaningless second innings at Brisbane and that average drops to 23.63. More worryingly, they have passed fifty five times between them in nineteen innings, but only once have any of them gone beyond sixty. By comparison, England’s top four have gone past fifty seven times in eleven innings and converted five of them into hundreds. Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin have done well, but they have almost invariably been called upon to dig their side out of the hole. This was, once again, the case here.
Anderson and Tremlett bowled pretty well with the new ball. Anderson looked unaffected by his round the world trip, although he bowled a little wide, and Tremlett fully vindicated the selectors’ faith in him. They were well supported in the field, as has now become the norm for England, with Collingwood and Swann both holding stunning catches, and by Swann, who picked up the vital wicket of Mike Hussey. The England management will be concerned at the fitness of Steven Finn, who may well be rested at Melbourne, and they will also be frustrated that the Australian tail, for once, wagged with Johnson and Siddle in particular batting belligerently and effectively. This was, in part, due to the pitch losing its greenish tinge as it baked in the hot sun and will be encouraging for the England batsmen. With Cook and Strauss progressing to stumps with few alarms, and a remarkable six from Cook, they will look to bat for a long time.
On the positive side for Australia, Hussey and Haddin batted well again and Mitchell Johnson rode his luck a little but also played some glorious shots in an important innings of sixty two which should help to boost his confidence. His bowling, in the brief spell that he managed before the close, looked improved as well, although it seldom takes much to throw him off his line. If he goes wicketless for long in the morning then don’t be surprised to see the arm get lower and the radar become wilder. They will also be pleased at the character that the lower order showed in getting the total up to 268, something which has been in short supply of late.
Tomorrow will be a fascinating day. Australia have gone with four quick bowlers plus Steve Smith to bowl leg spin, but it may that the best day for bowling seam has been and gone. If England can make it through the first half hour tomorrow unscathed then it could be a long day for Australia, and they may yet regret not picking Michael Beer. On the other hand, if the quicks can make inroads while the ball is still fairly new then they could come right back into the game. Such is the joy of test cricket.
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