Published: Aug 06, 2015, 11:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 07, 2015, 11:48 AM (IST)
Australia were shot out for an embarrassing 60 in the first innings, as Stuart Broad ran riot at his home ground Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Australia losing wickets in a heap was not something new, but their no-show with the bat, the abject surrender against quality pace bowling by just one man would haunt them for years to come. The issue is not pertained to what transpired in the first session on Day One at Trent Bridge, but it is a serious one as far as Australia’s future is concerned. Devarchit Varma has more.
Rahul Dravid once said that Test cricket is all about ‘weathering the storms’. Sunil Gavaskar has mentioned giving the first hour to the bowler to earn the next five hours back. There will be moments when the bowlers will come hard at you, making life tough for you as a batsman. There will be fielders chirping around, saying words you cannot bear listening. But you will win in the end, only when you are able to able to counter it all. Unfortunately, this touring party of Australian cricketers does not understand any bit of it. REPORT: Joe Root’s ton guides England to 274/4 at stumps on Day 1 of 4th Ashes 2015 Test at Trent Bridge
Chris Rogers got a superb delivery from Stuart Broad early on; there was not a lot he could have done about it. Right from the start of Ashes 2015, Rogers has done more than enough for his side. Today was not his day, but it could have been for the others. It could have been a day for someone who could have shown character, intent, and fight. But there was no one. The Australians fell like pack of cards and ended up giving England an advantage so humongous that there are not many ways to neutralise it. ALSO READ: Ashes 2015, 4th Test at Trent Bridge: Twitter reacts to Australia’s disastrous 60 all out
In just one session, England’s fortunes turned so bright that it has now become almost impossible for Australia to bounce back.
Michael Clarke, veteran of many battles, one who is walking a very dangerous path, chased one way, way outside off-stump and gave a dolly to Alastair Cook at first slip. On other days, he would have smashed the ball from the chunkiest part of his bat. But today he managed only an edge. It summed up the horror day for Australia, for Clarke batted at No. 5 — a position where he has scored close to 6,000 runs. If Australian media turn up the heat on Clarke even more, he has no one to blame but himself.
Shaun Marsh was expected to make runs, but he went with hard hands to a ball pitched outside off and edged it. Adam Voges would feel Ben Stokes got lucky as he grabbed the ball one-handed at fifth slip, but there is no denying the fact that his retention was a mistake from Australia’s part.
Steve Smith will have to fight the ‘flat-track bully’ tag associated with his name. England have been smart in preparing wickets against their opponent’s strengths, and Smith, with his limited technique, flopped again.
The lack of runs from the Australians will hurt them for some time, but lack of application, character and skills to succeed in challenging situations will haunt them for years to come. The abject surrender, the no-show will post serious questions to their cricket establishment: are they comfortable with the humiliations in England?
On their day, this Australian team can easily beat the daylight out of this England team. But not in England, where their shortcomings are far more than their plus points. They have a long, long road to travel to arrive at a stage where they can confidently say they can win in England.
Australia remained glued to their policy of playing seasoned batsmen who have amassed runs in their backyard. But their inability to nurture those could play swing and seam really troubled them. Their inability to find men who would not crumble under pressure has failed them. Their inability to show character, show discipline has let them down. ALSO READ: Stuart Broad rips Australia apart as visitors are bundled out for 60 on Day 1, 4th Ashes 2015 Test
Not many of these Australian batsmen — regular features in Twenty20 tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) — spend time in County cricket. Smith played in the County Championship years ago, when he was not even a specialist batsman. It has been more than five years since David Warner has played County cricket in England. The rest are not worth a mention.
In past, Australians have had success in England because many of them played in County cricket. Rogers, Australia’s star this series, has proved it once again. Those who cannot find time to play in England can still survive by their skill, character and intent. But those with none of these are bound to struggle. Australia’s hapless show is not surprising.
Australia will not find success in England unless they ask themselves the real questions. The team that landed in England had Mitchell Johnson’s exploits at the back of their mind, but they must have identified the reality. The bowlers are doubling up for now as batsmen, and with significant amount of cricket left in this series, they will not like it to continue for long.
Certainly, the Australian outfit does not look like the happy, confident and without any pressure which it was sometime back. Darren Lehmann and Clarke have some soul-searching to do.
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
