Ashes 2017/18: 1st Test, Day 5 - Accepting the Inevitable

 

Ashes 2017/18: 1^st Test, Day 5

Accepting the Inevitable

November 28^th 2017

Australia duly sealed a 10 wicket win that probably flattered them somewhat. It is tempting to think that all is doom and gloom, but there is no reason why it should be so as England have a real chance to level the series in the 2^nd Test.

We tend to forget that the 2005 Ashes started with a heavy defeat after a bright start by England. Of course, in that series, England’s cause was helped by Glenn McGrath trying to unicycle on the ball an hour before the start of the 2^nd Test and by the lack of credible support to McGrath and Shane Warne. However, it is easy to forget that England were blown away for 155 & 180 in that 1^st Test and in three of their first four innings of the series, failed to pass 182. England’s luck was that they just sneaked home in two of the Tests and that Brett Lee, though a big wicket-taker in the series, took his wickets at well over 40 each, while Shaun Tate, Mike Kasprowicz and Jason Gillespie combined for 12 wickets at more than 63 each. It was only as the series progressed that Australia’s problems of squad depth became more and more evident.

The key was that, despite a very disappointing 1^st Test performance, England kept the faith, trusted their players and took their chances.

If any pitch on this tour is going to suit the England attack, it will be Adelaide. Lose here and it will be 5-0: you might well have said then same after the 1^st Test in 2005.

England carried too many players at Brisbane. Alistair Cook’s form on tour is worrying. What is more, apart from 2010/11, he has never done well in Australia. With no reserve opener, Cook has to fire. Is he still hungry? Jake Ball, who was a big gamble due to his lack of match practice, looked short of match fitness. He now has 3 wickets at 114 each in his 4 Tests. Had he been mean and economical, that could be overlooked but, in a slow-scoring match, he was by far the most expensive bowler. Craig Overton was not risked because the selectors felt that he might be too expensive, but his replacement was neither threatening nor economical. Chris Woakes had a match that was more the Woakes of 2015 than that of 2016 and 2017 who has carried all before him: neither runs, nor wickets and, to be brutally frank, not much threat of them either. And Moeen, hampered by a finger injury, struggled to spin the ball for much of the match.

The biggest problem that the team faces is the fact that even though they knocked over the top order, the tail was able to add more than one hundred for the last three wickets and that, in the end, was the difference between the two sides. There was no enforcer to come on and knock over 9, 10, Jack.

The selectors have a straightforward choice. It seems that Jake Ball is unlikely to get another game. Overton seems the most likely to replace him, although there are arguments for Mason Crane to share the spin duties, albeit that would be to take a massive punt – there are already suggestions that if a second spinner were required, it would be more likely to be Jack Leach, conveniently nearby with the Lions. The wild card is Mark Wood, another Lion, who seems to be getting back to fitness. Wood would supply the high pace that England lacked in Brisbane. It would be a risk: he is not match fit and he is coming back from injury, but a gamble is less dramatic in a four-man pace attack than in a three-man attack. The most likely change is Overton for Ball: Overton has taken wickets consistently in the warm-ups, although nerves seem to have  betrayed him every time he has come out to bat. Overton is a wild card, which reminds one a little of another Somerset lad who got an unexpected Test debut in 1977, bowled erratically, batted nervously, but somehow took 5-74 and never looked back.

Apart from Overton for Ball, the selectors are likely to keep faith with the same XI. Stoneman, Vince, Root and Malan all got runs, even if none of them could convert and Moeen did enough in both innings to suggest that a big score is there and could come at any time. In fact, Stoneman did enough to suggest that if Cook can get himself in, that century opening partnerships can be expected.

However it might seem, the situation is far from hopeless.