England not doing themselves any favours
Austraila after a hard-fought two days of test cricket have finally shifted the balance of the third test in the host's favour.
England resumed day 2 sitting in a commanding position at 4/305 where it didn't take Malan and Bairstow to punish the Australian attack. A record fifth-wicket partnership between the pair saw the likes of Johnny Bairstow reaching his maiden Ashes ton in magnificent style. There was no doubt that with the start that England had, a first innings score of 500 was certainly on the cards. However, with some loss of concentration from Malan saw the English collapse in tremendous fashion to lose 6 wickets for a bleak 35 runs. I think that it was this moment that the momentum slowly began to shift towards the Australian's, where a significant lack of contribution from the lower order has left England in a good position but well below par for the foundation that they had set. Australia finally had England all out for an under-par effort of 403 with Mitchell Starc finishing off the tailenders with a bag of 4/91.
Whilst it is understandable that the short ball bombardment that the tail-enders received on a bouncy wicket was not going to rest well with them, Moeen Ali's dismissal again was a soft one. There is no doubt that Moeen is a great player for the England side and his contribution with both bat and ball has had England out of plenty of awkward situations and take games away from the opposition. Hence, it is dissapointing to see Ali being dismissed in the ways in which he is and for the record that he possesses. Moreover, his contribution with the ball also has been at an all-time low this series and he needs to perform in the next innings with both bat and ball to not lose his spot in the lower order.
Things to some extent started off quite positively as Australia rushed to 0/44 before a lazy David Warner and Camron Bancroft left the Aussies in a concerned position at 2/55. It is fair to say that Warner is not himself this series. We have not really seen the aggression that he brings to the table much at all this series and he is often been found caught defending at the crease and left fending for the ball. I think that with the inexperience of Camron Bancroft, Warner is trying to survive with him and support him rather than playing his natural game. However, I would not be surprised that with the disappointment that he showed in his dismissal in the first innings, he will come out with some serious intent in the second innings.
With Australia in a spot of bother at 2/55 thanks to a wonderful spell of bowling from Craig Overton (2/46), the partnership between Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith certainly was the saviour for the Aussies. It is obvious that Khawaja is not in the prolific form that he was in the last two years of his career. Averaging 87 in both 2015 and 2016, Khawaja without much doubt looked like one of the best batsmen in the world. But unfortunately, he has somewhat struggled despite his terrific shield form. There is no doubt that his class and elegance are still there but the form is still shifting. However, despite not being in the form that he would like to be in, it is still good to see that he is still fighting it out to get to fifties and occupy the crease for long periods of time to suggest that he is still good enough for this level.
But unlike Khawaja and Warner, Steve Smith has looked like he is batting in an entirely different league to the others. Emerging into the cricketing scenes as a chubby leg-spinner to now being simply one of the greatest cricketers in the modern era, Smith is certainly leading his side into reclaiming the Ashes. However, much like Khawaja in 2015/2016, Smith is looking unstoppable. Finishing the day sitting at 92 not out with Australia in a commanding position at 3/203, Smith's 22nd test hundred looks inevitable.
Whilst England were able to compile a decent total, the concern was always going to be in their bowling. And it is obvious from today's play that the calibre of the England bowlers is nowhere near the Australians. The difference in pace is something that is hurting England a lot in this innings so far as the pace and the bounce are not having much of an effect on the Australian batsmen and the lack of spin too is just allowing the batsmen to milk easy runs off the spinner. It was this lack of pace and also the lack urgency showed by the English bowlers that are hurting them badly. With such a good first innings score and allowing Australia to dominate again is not going to do them any favours. England needs to come out on day 3 with more urgency and look to try and utilise the reverse swing if there is any and try and knock over a few early wickets to have control of the game.
With Steve Smith still at the crease, I see the balance of the game slightly tilted towards Australia, but a few quick wickets in the first session on day 3 could change the shape of the game very dramatically. England could have a red-hot chance of having this game back in control if they can have somewhere around an 80 run lead in the third innings but if they fail to take wickets I can easily see Australia have a lead going into the third innings.
Let's hope for another drama packed day of test cricket on the third day of the third test at the WACA.
England resumed day 2 sitting in a commanding position at 4/305 where it didn't take Malan and Bairstow to punish the Australian attack. A record fifth-wicket partnership between the pair saw the likes of Johnny Bairstow reaching his maiden Ashes ton in magnificent style. There was no doubt that with the start that England had, a first innings score of 500 was certainly on the cards. However, with some loss of concentration from Malan saw the English collapse in tremendous fashion to lose 6 wickets for a bleak 35 runs. I think that it was this moment that the momentum slowly began to shift towards the Australian's, where a significant lack of contribution from the lower order has left England in a good position but well below par for the foundation that they had set. Australia finally had England all out for an under-par effort of 403 with Mitchell Starc finishing off the tailenders with a bag of 4/91.
Whilst it is understandable that the short ball bombardment that the tail-enders received on a bouncy wicket was not going to rest well with them, Moeen Ali's dismissal again was a soft one. There is no doubt that Moeen is a great player for the England side and his contribution with both bat and ball has had England out of plenty of awkward situations and take games away from the opposition. Hence, it is dissapointing to see Ali being dismissed in the ways in which he is and for the record that he possesses. Moreover, his contribution with the ball also has been at an all-time low this series and he needs to perform in the next innings with both bat and ball to not lose his spot in the lower order.
Things to some extent started off quite positively as Australia rushed to 0/44 before a lazy David Warner and Camron Bancroft left the Aussies in a concerned position at 2/55. It is fair to say that Warner is not himself this series. We have not really seen the aggression that he brings to the table much at all this series and he is often been found caught defending at the crease and left fending for the ball. I think that with the inexperience of Camron Bancroft, Warner is trying to survive with him and support him rather than playing his natural game. However, I would not be surprised that with the disappointment that he showed in his dismissal in the first innings, he will come out with some serious intent in the second innings.
With Australia in a spot of bother at 2/55 thanks to a wonderful spell of bowling from Craig Overton (2/46), the partnership between Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith certainly was the saviour for the Aussies. It is obvious that Khawaja is not in the prolific form that he was in the last two years of his career. Averaging 87 in both 2015 and 2016, Khawaja without much doubt looked like one of the best batsmen in the world. But unfortunately, he has somewhat struggled despite his terrific shield form. There is no doubt that his class and elegance are still there but the form is still shifting. However, despite not being in the form that he would like to be in, it is still good to see that he is still fighting it out to get to fifties and occupy the crease for long periods of time to suggest that he is still good enough for this level.But unlike Khawaja and Warner, Steve Smith has looked like he is batting in an entirely different league to the others. Emerging into the cricketing scenes as a chubby leg-spinner to now being simply one of the greatest cricketers in the modern era, Smith is certainly leading his side into reclaiming the Ashes. However, much like Khawaja in 2015/2016, Smith is looking unstoppable. Finishing the day sitting at 92 not out with Australia in a commanding position at 3/203, Smith's 22nd test hundred looks inevitable.
Whilst England were able to compile a decent total, the concern was always going to be in their bowling. And it is obvious from today's play that the calibre of the England bowlers is nowhere near the Australians. The difference in pace is something that is hurting England a lot in this innings so far as the pace and the bounce are not having much of an effect on the Australian batsmen and the lack of spin too is just allowing the batsmen to milk easy runs off the spinner. It was this lack of pace and also the lack urgency showed by the English bowlers that are hurting them badly. With such a good first innings score and allowing Australia to dominate again is not going to do them any favours. England needs to come out on day 3 with more urgency and look to try and utilise the reverse swing if there is any and try and knock over a few early wickets to have control of the game.With Steve Smith still at the crease, I see the balance of the game slightly tilted towards Australia, but a few quick wickets in the first session on day 3 could change the shape of the game very dramatically. England could have a red-hot chance of having this game back in control if they can have somewhere around an 80 run lead in the third innings but if they fail to take wickets I can easily see Australia have a lead going into the third innings.
Let's hope for another drama packed day of test cricket on the third day of the third test at the WACA.
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