Third Test Déjà vu

It’s the summer of 2009 and England have just beaten Australia for the first time in 75 years, in a Test Match at Lords. The nation is euphoric and expectant. After a draw at Edgbaston, the focus turns to the crucial third Test; a win at Headingley and England cannot lose the series. The result, a crushing defeat for the home nation by an innings and 80 runs. Unable to cope with both pace and movement, England’s batsman were undone by the Australian quick’s and outclassed by some solid batting. The result, 1-1 and everything still to play for.

The course of an Ashes series, it seems, is destined never to run smooth. Or so it would appear for England. All hopes of inflicting a crushing defeat on the home side (we were thinking 4-0) and of extracting some revenge for what they did to us four years ago, faded meekly on Sunday morning as Australia hammered England by a 267 run win. Another crucial third Test, another loss for England and once again, the Ashes held in the balance.

Yet, can England’s most recent loss simply be put down to giddiness, as was the case at Headingley? As while the prospect of a first win down under for over 25 years may be enough to cause the said effect, Australia have most definitely upped their game. Vilified by their press, slated by their fans and with a Captain hanging onto his job by a thread, the Aussies came out fighting. Opting not to pick a front line spinner, they (literally) hit England hard with an all out pace attack. The enigma that is Mitchell Johnson, went from zero to hero, as he finally found some form with both pace and late swing; a deadly combination, as six of England’s batsman were to find out in the first innings. Their low scores contributing to a poor overall total of 187. The second innings was not, however, much better. All out for a pathetic 123, the culprit this time being Ryan Harris, claiming half the English wickets. The fastest track in international cricket, the WACA, reminded the world what a joy to watch rapid, hostile bowling can be. While it reminded the English what a force Australia can still be.

One of the main reasons the Aussies were tipped as favourites (by the bookies at least) before the series began, was because of their home advantage. Nowhere is this more crucial than in Perth. In a world dominated by benign pitches, the WACA is the exception. While England’s bowlers did a reasonable job in adjusting (Chris Tremlett was outstanding, taking his first Test Five-For) the batsman did not. In fact, the only batsman who did (and in possession of the century to prove it) is Mike Hussey, who, incidentally, plays his cricket for Western Australia. That said, despite the pace and bounce of the pitch, England’s batsman should have done better. A fact which has left many asking whether England should consider making some changes to their line up. Paul Collingwood, who has failed to make any score of significance since the start of the series, is most in the firing line with talk of him moving down to six (the in-form Ian Bell consequently moving up) or even being dropped for Eoin Morgan. The bowlers may not escape unscathed either. Steven Finn, (who despite being England’s leading wicket taker) is also expensive and fatigued, seems most likely to be left out.

While, the loss at Perth is not ideal, England shouldn’t panic. Just look back at how the 2009 series ended.