Published: Jul 18, 2015, 11:34 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 18, 2015, 11:58 PM (IST)
Australia are in an invincible position in the ongoing second Test at Lord’s and a win is likely on the cards for the tourists with ample amount of time left. Devarchit Varma explains what Australia have done right to get into such a position.
England would have expected a backlash from Australia, but not in the manner the tourists responded with in the last three days. With an overall lead of 362 runs, all that Australia need to do on the morning of Day Four is add about 100-150 quick runs in their second innings and unleash their bowlers, who were very impressive in the first innings. Australia have shown remarkable improvement in the first three days of the second Ashes 2015 Test at Lord’s, and one would expect the tourists to roll over their hosts soon and head into the third Test with the series leveled up. Australia lead England by 362 runs at the end of Day 3 of 2nd Test at Lord’s
The tourists have been able to get their best foot forward, and their overall excellence over England at Lord’s is the reason they are all over the hosts. Winning the toss may be a matter of luck, but Australia took the challenge really well and put runs on board — extremely important when a team intends to register a win on wickets that do not support bowlers. Australia’s total of 566 for 8 declared in the first innings was sufficient to knock off the English confidence. By blowing their top order away cheaply in the first innings, Australia were able to make a strong statement. UPDATES: England vs Australia, 2nd Test at Lord’s, Day 3
Where Australia have done better than England, or to say, how Australia have outplayed their hosts is not with the bat, but with the ball. On both the occasions, Australia got wickets in heap whereas England struggled to remove the opposition openers. Australia, with the first new ball reduced England to 30 for 4, and with the second new ball wrapped up the tail which on most of the days turns out to be pain for the bowling sides. Scorecard: England vs Australia, Day 3, 2nd Test at Lord’s
On the other hand, Australia lost their first wicket in the first innings at the score of 78, and in the second essay, they have put up a strong stand of 108 for 0. This is an area of concern for England because on such flat, lifeless decks, nothing can get you wickets if the new ball can’t.
The bowling has been a major difference between both the teams. While England strayed away from bowling plans, tried a lot of things at the same time and did not show the discipline in the manner they did in Cardiff, Australia attacked. The tourists are aware of their strength, which is to attack. They were served well by sticking to attacking line and lengths, looking to keep the batsmen quiet and even trouble them with field settings persistently.
Talking about batting, while Australia showed they have learned from their mistakes and did not gift England their wickets, the hosts disintegrated. Many of England batsmen did not bat as responsibly as they should have.
Australia have been terrific in this Test, while England have been ordinary. The tourists will be expected to go for runs after seeing off initial few overs on Day Four and give their bowlers ample amount of time to take the remaining 10 English wickets, which would be a tough but not an impossible task.
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
