Ten points for starters
Lessons from the first Test
IF, as seems certain, a rousing victory comes this morning it will be a Floyd Mayweatherstyle Ashes win.
Start solidly, duck and weave, cop a few on the chin, stay in the contest, do not do anything crazy, see what they have and then . . . bang, goodnight.
It worked for the American boxer in a 50-0 career and it has enabled Australia to slam England’s fist on the table after a four-day arm wrestle.
Here are 10 things we have learnt from the first Test which, barring a stunning collapse, will be Australia’s today.
First, India may rule the cricket world but the Ashes are still the greatest cricketing show on earth.
Second, Steve Smith could retire now — fortunately he will not — and still be regarded as one of Australia’s finest batsmen yet. The mind boggles at what his numbers could like if he plays another seven or so Test years.
Third, England’s tail needs a crash course in how to play short-pitched bowling because it is going to be on the trampoline all summer. It could be ugly.
Fourth, England is a decent, well-planned team and Joe Root gained rightful plaudits for clever fields but a word of warning — Australia rarely is sandpapered into oblivion with defensive tactics on home soil.
Generally you have to meet aggression with aggression. England has also lost the element of surprise with its funky fields. Does it have a Plan B?
Fifth, Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad may not be the hellraising force they can be in England but they are still exceptional bowlers and could fill their boots under lights in Adelaide.
England’s back-up bowlers, however, are a worry. At least one has to stand up for England to be any chance of retaining the Ashes.
Sixth, keeper Tim Paine has a slickness that belies the fact he could not get a first up game for Tasmania last season.
Yes, he did drop a first innings catch off Nathan Lyon, but his work to the slow man was still the highlight of his Test, featuring a deft stumping and some silky takes behind the batsmen’s body.
Seventh, Pat Cummins has been worth the wait. For someone playing only his 16th first class match he has impressive cricket smarts.
His robust 42 was crucial and four wickets gave him a solid Ashes debut.
Eighth, the naked eye counts for less than technology these days in off-field de- cision making. The contentious snickometer revealed a tiny edge that claimed Stuart Broad yet there appeared to be space between
bat and ball on one replay.
Ninth, Australia still craves an all-rounder. The sight of Mitchell Starc gripping his right ankle in the field soon before the end of the England innings shows underlined the importance of not overburdening an attack who have another four Tests to play in the next six weeks.
Tenth, however bad Ben Stokes was feeling before this Test he will be feeling worse now. The victory margin between the sides may be big this morning, the gap between them was small enough that one key man could have changed the result.