For England fans, they can feel consoled by the three-and-a-half sessions that England batted and for a brief period with the second new ball. Now, they can start doing the rain dances, because if Australia gets more than 50 overs or so of bowling time, the match will be theirs.
And so the Great Australian Comeback is complete. A few months ago, after losses to India and South Africa, everyone had written them off. With a return victory against the South Africans and now a powerful statement against England, we have a newer, better Australia that is as dangerous as ever.
When you have four of seven batsmen making centuries and the only person who failed is the one of the older members of the team, Australia are well placed for the future. Their bowling still seems inexperienced and they don’t have a Warne yet. But I suppose we could even see that remedied by the end of tomorrow.
Where does that leave England? There will be significant changes to the bowling attack. Broad is definitely out, most likely to be replaced by Harmison. Panesar will probably go, as Swann has more promise, even if Panesar took one wicket.
If Australia continues in the same vein, a few careers will end with this Ashes.
“a few careers will end with this Ashes”
Whom do you think?
Broad’s, I reckon, should never have started!
Mate
It’s too early to start thinking of ending careers ! I have a sad sneaky feeling that the weather will come to Englands rescue today and they will leave Ashes still 0 – 0 and all Aus will have is momentum.
The series though might still ‘ show’ up some of the hyped up England players. I can’t understand why Cook still opens – he’s always been an useless player. Bopara was hyped up after three hundreds against WI !!!, Collingwood – can’t believe the bloke actually plays test cricket !
Then comes the bowlers – the supposed new ‘ Botham’ Flintoff – the earlier they drop him the better, and Broad – well what people see in him I can’ understand. He’s a petulant over rated bloke who has been taken to the cleaners against good teams. Anderson – he’s a decent bowler under swinging conditions, and without it he’s useless again !
I was a bit suprised how badly Swann has bowled. I think he’ll get better as the series goes. Monty probably needs to go back and ‘ learn’ how to bowl.
So yeah, looking back maybe some careers might actually end with the Ashes
It looks like Flintoff is the first one off the team, not for form though! I wonder if Harmison and Onions can do anything to improve the bowling. Monty will most probably be left out of the next Test.
Monty’s batting effort may just keep him in…