Who will be the Daddy in Adelaide?
PUT THE BAIRSTOW STORM BEHIND THEM
It is wrong to suggest that the Jonny Bairstow-Cameron Bancroft sledging head-butting narrative was the reason for England’s loss – it wasn’t. But if the wicket keeper-batsman allowed his focus to drift at all under the barrage of chat on the field it was disappointing. No one is under any illusions that they will come hard again. England must be ready.
GET NASTY
Joe Root talked about how relaxed England were in the build-up to the first Test after they had pottered through three warm-up matches of questionable value against average opposition – something that Australia were happy to provide – and there were a lot of smiles in Brisbane before Sunday. England need to turn up the heat and aggression. Get in Australian faces with a grimace not a smile.
GET THE BALL MOVING LATERALLY
CRICKET is a team sport but there is no denying that this series rests on the success and failure of the ‘big players’. If Alastair Cook and Joe Root do not match David Warner and Steve Smith, this series is over. For three days England were right in the hunt. At one stage I was even convinced they would end up with a lead at the halfway point of the match. But so often in Test cricket, a bad session can change it all. So near and yet so far. England wanted a draw in this match at worst because going behind in Australia after losing the first Test does make life tough. However, Australia are not unbeatable. England played well but we all know that big hundreds make the difference and big hundreds win matches. James Vince will rue running himself out on the verge of a first Test hundred. Had he converted and managed a significant score like Smith, England would have had the lead. Others got in and worked hard for their half-centuries but it was really one man who was the difference in this match. The Australian captain showed why he is truly world class in an innings that had everything in patience, technique, control and real hunger. It was as simple as that. Smith played a captain’s innings, laying down the foundations for this series and allowing Australia to land the first significant punch. The batting on both teams gives reason for opposition bowlers to see opportunity. Get rid of Warner and Smith then England will feel they can trouble an indifferent batting lineup. The pink ball is expected to move off the straight on what will be a grassier pitch in this day-night match in Get rid of Cook and Root and there are some obvious holes in England’s own batting.
But it was actually the so-called ‘unknowns’ who delivered for England in the first innings and that will give them a lot of confidence going into the next Test in Adelaide.
I was really impressed with Mark Stoneman’s fight up front. I have played against him for a number of years and always known him to be a good player, but there is no doubt his technique in defence and shot selection have tightened up.
I like his fight and character, and it certainly helps that he is in good form. Vince showed some of the class which justified his selection but the wicket was flat. Vince is going to really have to continue to rein himself in and show discipline if he is to be consistent on this tour.
Dawid Malan continues to go about things in a mature and calm way, which is good for him.
I always remember the great batsman Graham Adelaide and in the hands of Jimmy Anderson, below, at the right time, it could be devastating. The physics is complicated but the gist is that pink cricket balls are difficult to judge at sunset. During the day, the pink ball is darker than its background – sky or ground. At night, when stadium lights take full effect, it is brighter. So at about sunset, it switches. It is about this time that players and umpires may have trouble judging the ball’s speed as it moves against its background. If it happens to be a newish ball and in the hands of the best swing bowler in the world…
DEAL WITH THE SHORT STUFF
In Adelaide four years ago Mitchell Johnson produced the finest spell of that series, taking 7-40 on the third afternoon and laying waste to England. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were not Johnson in Brisbane but they posed a few problems with their bumpers. England will need to practice all week on dealing with that. Gooch, who was my batting coach, speaking to us about scoring big hundreds – “you’ve never got enough”. Those words were used in every conversation we had about batting. A man rarely criticised for failing to make “Daddy hundreds” is Cook but his form is cause for concern. I did mention in my tour preview that this was a big tour for my one-time opening partner and that remark was based more on instinct than his quiet start to the series, after all his record speaks for itself. However, this series will give everyone a real idea of what Alastair’s future may look like. His Ashes record is not one he will be proud of – he averages just 37 against Australia despite his 766-run feast in 2010-11. Knowing him as I do, he will want to play another significant role in this series. He may be enjoying having the pressure of being captain lifted but his signature qualities are his serious fight and determination. It doesn’t matter who you are, when you fail in the first Test of any series it doesn’t leave you feeling confident. But this is Alastair Cook, a man who has time and time again produced when it has been least expected. He isn’t England’s all-time leading run scorer for nothing. Those writing him off should know better. NICK COMPTON is Ladbrokes’ Ashes brand ambassador. Australia are 1-5 favourites to win the Ashes, with England 8-1 outsiders.
HIT LYON OUT OF THE ATTACK
Easier said than done but if Steve Smith goes three quicks again, Nathan Lyon, left, is the key to him being able to rotate and rest. England were generally too passive against the off-spinner – who used to be a groundsman at the Adelaide Oval – until Moeen Ali and Bairstow got stuck in on Sunday all too briefly but with good effect. More of that is needed.