It was a bad first day for England at Headingley as first Freddie was declared unfit to play, and it was followed by another bad news of Prior getting injured though he is playing in the match.
When the mach started Australia bowled out England for just 102, and it was followed up by England's bowlers bowling short, and getting smashed.
As far as the batting was concerned England's batsmen weren't disciplined enough. The track surprisingly has a bit of bounce, but it is more of a tennis ball bounce so, the batsmen have to play late, and show good judgment outside the off stump by playing with a straight bat, but England's batsmen didn't show good judgment, and were playing at deliveries outside the off stump which, could have been left alone. Yes, Australian bowlers bowled well, but England's batsmen weren't disciplined enough.
It was followed up by England's bowlers like Anderson and Onions bowling too short. Anderson may have also bowled from the wrong end as swing bowlers can have more success from the Kirskstall end, but Harmison was the one who get to bowl the new ball from the Kirkstall end. Anderson also looked like had done some damage to his hamstring.
I may have criticised Broad, but in my view he was England's best bowler yesterday as he was just hitting the good length spot, and bowling the odd delivery a bit fuller at decent pace. The pitch which has tennis ball bounce did the rest. On such a track if the bowlers bang it into the pitch it just sits up, and the batsmen can easily play shots on the back foot. The Australian quicks have always been masters at just hitting the good length spot, and that is what they did yesterday. It is not rocket science but needs concentration!
Harmison blew hot and cold where as Onions bowled better as the day progressed. England may have missed Siders who is consistent.
If England's bowlers hit the good length spot, and bowl the odd delivery a bit more fuller the team can still dismiss Australia for about 260 or 270 as the pitch still has enough help for the bowlers, and may have a very slim chance of coming back into the match, but if the bowlers bang it into the pitch, and bowl short the bowlers will get hammered.
Overall a very disappointing day for England!
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12 comments:
Well, England has left themselves in a hole that is such a big one and it is nearly impossible to climb back from there. They have to do some miracles and also hope for a serious help from the nature if they want to save this test
Yes England's chances of coming back is very slim but if the bowlers keep banging it into the pitch and the batsmen show poor judgment it would be a embarrassment!
It is all about fighting hard.
I think the Australians have a stranglehold on the game. England will have to perform a miracle while batting to turn the match in their favour.
I think the Australians have a stranglehold on the game. England will have to perform a miracle while batting to turn the match in their favour.
Ottayan,
Thanks for your comments.
It's quite frustrating that match is going in the favour of Australia because most of us want that England should win because it will bring the attention of fans who are fed up with australia dominating the results.
England at Headingley haven't played well in recent times unless you are talking about that Caribbean team or the Pakistani team.
In 2001 Autralia were too good.
Against India in 2002 England's bowlers bowled short and got punished and the batsmen didn't show discipline.
In 2003 England's bowlers bowled again too short and SA won.
In 2004 NZ had an understrength side without Bond and England won.
In 2006 Pakistan were likely going to struggle in conditions foreign to them and Pakistan lost.
In 2007 the Caribbean team was not good enough.
In 2008 again England's batsmen didn't show discipline and the bowlers bowled too short and SA won.
The pattern continue this year too!
Vikas,
Thanks for your comment.
GB,
I thinks in carribean the main factor responsible for England's deadly situation was IPL's million dollar contract.
Yeah it maybe the case as in the Caribbean England did look flat.
Anyhow what is your view on England not performing well at Headingley in recent times?
I have posted my comment on your question at your recent post.
Vikas,
I did read it and thanks for the comment.
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