Ashes 2013
England Spring a Surprise
July 28th
[10:15 CEST]
Steve Smith completed his century. The expected wash-out of play did not
happen. James Taylor looks set for a century today. And, after blasting through
the top order, the Australian bowlers were unable to finish the job, leaving
Sussex to recover to a position far healthier at the Close than ever seemed
possible earlier in the day (this story sounds familiar from the last two
Tests, where England were allowed to recover each time after the top order
struggled).
The
good news for Australia was that Steve Smith reached his century confidently in
the morning, allowing a quick declaration. Jackson Bird then set about the
Sussex top order with some gusto. At 33-3 the Follow-On mark of 217 seemed a
long way away. However, from there things were not so good. Agar was expensive.
Lyon was the only bowler not to take a wicket. Wade’s wicket-keeping was very
poor and, at 228-5, Sussex will bat on this morning and deny the Australians
any chance of a result and the Australian batsmen a second innings for as long
as possible.
For
Australia the questions that have been answered are multiple: Jackson Bird is
the frontrunner to take James Pattinson’s spot; Steve Smith has done more than enough
to keep his place; Lyon has not made any sort of clear case for a re-call; and,
Wade has had a nightmare match that has ruled him out of contention for the
rest of the series. Before this game Matt Wade had two chances to get back into
the side, either as a batsman, with so many specialists struggling, or as
wicket-keeper batsman, given that Brad Haddin has made little impact with the
bat at 7. A duck, several missed chances and a general untidy performance have
shut off both routes for Wade.
It all
adds up to the likelihood that Australia will make just two changes: Bird for
Pattinson and Warner for Hughes. Whether or not that will resolve their
problems remains to be seen.
England’s
selectors have come up with a number of surprises from a position of strength.
As expected, in comes James Taylor as injury cover for Kevin Pietersen. Less
expected is that Onions and Finn have been dropped – in Onion’s case, “released”
would be kinder as he has been in as cover with no realistic chance of playing –
and Chris Tremlett and Monty Panesar have come in. Old Trafford has a
reputation for turn, so England are leaving the option of two spinners, while
Tremlett is in as the tall, fast bowler who has a good record against
Australia. This leaves England with all bases covered and a wealth of options,
whatever the pitch. Most likely England will be unchanged but, if the pitch looks
unsuitable for the winning XI at Lords, it can be tuned, as necessary.
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