The hallowed Boxing Day Test ends in a poor spectacle
With a tightly held draw on the fifth day of the MCG Boxing Day Test match, Australia's dreams of a 5-0 Ashes whitewash were gone.
When looking at this test match I see three main views that this game could be looked at. One is that Alistair Cook's 244 not out symbolised his return to form and his reputation as one of the best opening batsmen to play the game restored. England was lifted immensely by the innings of Cook, in which they took total control of the match after Australia lost 7/67 in the first innings. Watching Cook bat for those three days was one of the best displays of batting that the MCG has witnessed.
Furthermore, it could be also viewed as a match that was influenced by rain that to some extent saved the Australians from a defeat considering at times the amount of poor cricket that they displayed on occasions of this match. Dropped catches, poor bowling and a first innings failures certainly haunted Australia as Cook just continued to score at will. Whilst I did not believe Australia was going to win, but I couldn't really see the English winning either considering the lack of pace in their bowling attack and with no real x-factor bowler amongst the attack that could change the game in the matter of a single spell. There was no doubt that the key to England in potentially winning this match was Steve Smith. His wicket was the key to the Australian collapse in the first innings and was set to one for the second innings. However, the form that Smith is in at the moment is unlike anything of this earth as he again slowly batted to his 23rd test match century along with an extremely patient Mitchell Marsh. With England failing to take the wicket of the skipper, a draw was inevitable.
But the third way I view this match was a direct representation of why test cricket is slowly dying. It is not the players or the cricketing boards, but it is the pitches and the grounds that contribute a lot to the dull aspects of what is a long format game. Hence, it was dissapointing to see a pitch that barely deteriorated throughout the five days and offered little to no assistance for the bowlers. Moreover, the lack of pace in the wicket is one of the major contributors to a non-exciting spectacle of cricket. As good carry and consistent bounce allow the bowlers to be in the game and allow the ball to come onto the bat and keep both teams in the contest.
Well, Australia can pride themselves on the fact that they haven't lost a game whilst England can celebrate the return to form of Alistair Cook and not losing. But there is going to be more than a selection headache going into SCG test match. In particular the lack of form displayed in this series by Camron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja. There is no doubt that Khawaja has not dominated the way he is known to. I think that Australia will need to have two spinners for the SCG test hence the inclusion of Ashton Agar into the squad. This only means that one player will be dropped for the final test of the series. I think that criticism on Khawaja is a little far-fetched, particularly on his approach. There is no doubt that Khawaja is a laid back player and looks like he has a lot of time at the crease. 2015 and 2016 were golden summers for Khawaja were even Mark Waugh stated that "he is batting better than Brian Lara" But unfortunately he has not performed in this series to a high standard. However, despite the runs and the lack of form, Khawaja has spent time in the middle which is suggesting that it is not a technical issue but just a mental issue in which Khawaja is struggling with. But I do hope that they persist with him as I am sure that the next test match he will restore faith with the selectors.
On the England camp, I am certain that a couple of changes will be made going into the last test at the SCG. In particular, the inclusion of leg-spinner Mason Crane who I think should have been selected earlier is bound to make his debut in Sydney. Talking about England spinners, the lack of overs bowled by Moeen Ali only shows the lack of faith that Joe Root has with his only spinner and that Dawid Malan has now had to change his role as more of an all-rounder to give the fast bowlers some rest. Hence, due to his lack of form and not much contribution to the ball I would not be surprised to see Crane take his place for the fifth test. However, there would be a good case to bring the leg-spinner in for Chris Woakes and persist with Ali to provide more overs and go with the two spinning options.
There we have it, the fourth test ending in a dull draw and the fifth and final test match of Ashes awaits at the SCG and it is bound to be an absolute cracker.
When looking at this test match I see three main views that this game could be looked at. One is that Alistair Cook's 244 not out symbolised his return to form and his reputation as one of the best opening batsmen to play the game restored. England was lifted immensely by the innings of Cook, in which they took total control of the match after Australia lost 7/67 in the first innings. Watching Cook bat for those three days was one of the best displays of batting that the MCG has witnessed.Furthermore, it could be also viewed as a match that was influenced by rain that to some extent saved the Australians from a defeat considering at times the amount of poor cricket that they displayed on occasions of this match. Dropped catches, poor bowling and a first innings failures certainly haunted Australia as Cook just continued to score at will. Whilst I did not believe Australia was going to win, but I couldn't really see the English winning either considering the lack of pace in their bowling attack and with no real x-factor bowler amongst the attack that could change the game in the matter of a single spell. There was no doubt that the key to England in potentially winning this match was Steve Smith. His wicket was the key to the Australian collapse in the first innings and was set to one for the second innings. However, the form that Smith is in at the moment is unlike anything of this earth as he again slowly batted to his 23rd test match century along with an extremely patient Mitchell Marsh. With England failing to take the wicket of the skipper, a draw was inevitable.
But the third way I view this match was a direct representation of why test cricket is slowly dying. It is not the players or the cricketing boards, but it is the pitches and the grounds that contribute a lot to the dull aspects of what is a long format game. Hence, it was dissapointing to see a pitch that barely deteriorated throughout the five days and offered little to no assistance for the bowlers. Moreover, the lack of pace in the wicket is one of the major contributors to a non-exciting spectacle of cricket. As good carry and consistent bounce allow the bowlers to be in the game and allow the ball to come onto the bat and keep both teams in the contest.
Well, Australia can pride themselves on the fact that they haven't lost a game whilst England can celebrate the return to form of Alistair Cook and not losing. But there is going to be more than a selection headache going into SCG test match. In particular the lack of form displayed in this series by Camron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja. There is no doubt that Khawaja has not dominated the way he is known to. I think that Australia will need to have two spinners for the SCG test hence the inclusion of Ashton Agar into the squad. This only means that one player will be dropped for the final test of the series. I think that criticism on Khawaja is a little far-fetched, particularly on his approach. There is no doubt that Khawaja is a laid back player and looks like he has a lot of time at the crease. 2015 and 2016 were golden summers for Khawaja were even Mark Waugh stated that "he is batting better than Brian Lara" But unfortunately he has not performed in this series to a high standard. However, despite the runs and the lack of form, Khawaja has spent time in the middle which is suggesting that it is not a technical issue but just a mental issue in which Khawaja is struggling with. But I do hope that they persist with him as I am sure that the next test match he will restore faith with the selectors.On the England camp, I am certain that a couple of changes will be made going into the last test at the SCG. In particular, the inclusion of leg-spinner Mason Crane who I think should have been selected earlier is bound to make his debut in Sydney. Talking about England spinners, the lack of overs bowled by Moeen Ali only shows the lack of faith that Joe Root has with his only spinner and that Dawid Malan has now had to change his role as more of an all-rounder to give the fast bowlers some rest. Hence, due to his lack of form and not much contribution to the ball I would not be surprised to see Crane take his place for the fifth test. However, there would be a good case to bring the leg-spinner in for Chris Woakes and persist with Ali to provide more overs and go with the two spinning options.
There we have it, the fourth test ending in a dull draw and the fifth and final test match of Ashes awaits at the SCG and it is bound to be an absolute cracker.
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