BUMBLE ON THE TEST
EVEN AGGERS CAN’T HOLD BACK NOW
JONATHAN AGNEW is a wonderful broadcaster and tends to be sympathetic towards England when they are going through horrible times like this. But even Aggers said on Test Match Special that, in all his experience, the third day of this second Test was one of the worst he can remember. It didn’t get too much better yesterday and it’s all very depressing.
COVID RUINS RADIO FAIR PLAY
THERE was little chance of any sympathy coming England’s way from the fourth day radio commentary after Aggers and his crew were confined to barracks by Covid protocols. I appreciate how difficult it was for ABC to cobble a team together and commentate from Perth but it was like listening to current players. When an England wicket fell they cheered!
DAY THOMSON GAVE ME A SWELL TIME
THE sight of Joe Root being hit twice where it most hurts brought tears to my eyes. Did I ever tell you the same thing happened to me in Perth in 1974? Switch Mitchell Starc for Jeff Thomson and you get the picture. Only I had a little pink box to save me rather than the protection they have today. I told the nurse — get rid of the pain but keep the swelling.
FIND A WAY TO BE LYON TAMERS
JUST after tea on day three Nathan Lyon had bowled 17 overs and taken two for 18. Then think back to how Australia knocked Jack Leach out of the series by smashing him for 95 off 11 overs in Brisbane. You can see from thousands of miles away the plan is for Lyon to bowl at one end and the seamers to rotate from the other. England simply have to take Lyon on. They have to find a way to score against him but they just can’t seem to do it.
WHY WOAKES AND WHY NOT WOOD?
STILL puzzled over England’s selection in Adelaide. It’s a day-night match and Chris Woakes has barely featured. They seem to have picked him to lengthen the batting. It’s telling you England know the batting isn’t up to it. But it’s hapless selection. Mark Wood had to play.
HIGH HOPES ON OPENER MALAN
WHAT was I saying about the England openers? It’s on repeat. Yes Haseeb Hameed got a ball with his name on it but he still has that problem of playing with his hands too low. The reason Dawid Malan is a much better player in Australia is that his hands are high. Malan might as well go in first. They will have to change it for Melbourne.
ENGLAND FAILING WITH THE BASICS
THAT lack of preparation is coming home to roost now. England are dropping catches and missing run-out chances on top of everything else. They had bowled 22 no-balls to Australia’s two by the end of the fourth day, too. It comes down to match sharpness. I know Covid is a huge factor but England haven’t helped themselves.