Spectators, players and fans alike are all heading towards Perth, and the 3rd Ashes test. But the question that everyone is desperately asking themselves, the pundits and each other, is whether England can actually turn this series around, and somehow pull off a remarkable recovery and retain that precious urn. The most straightforward answer to this question is no, probably not. But it is also the easy route, the obvious answer. And for most of us, we desperately hope and pray, that it's not the correct one.
Looking at this series as a whole, part-way through the Adelaide thumping, before our second innings effort with the bat, I was not confident. I'm an optimist when it comes to sport. But on the back of another early morning capitulation, that saw the Aussies remove our entire middle order for less than the Days of Christmas, I was as pessimistic as I could get about our chance of getting back into the series. Prior couldn't score a run, Pietersen looked as uninterested and de-motivated as I've ever seen him, Swann horribly out of form and unable to remotely tie the Aussies down, Cook looked vulnerable against any type of pitched up delivery and most of the other batters still struggling with anything that wasn't in their half. It looked like a team that quite simply couldn't compete with the super powers of Mitchell Johnson and his army of aggressive, in your face cricketers, trying to bring back the the old-fashioned Aussie style of playing, and bullying their way towards success.
Anyone looking on, and following this series from afar, couldn't be blamed for taking this view whatsoever. And to be honest, if you have watched as many days, sessions, overs and advert breaks as I have over the course of these first two matches, and haven't been so fed up of the one-sided contest, you have decided to throw in the preverbal towel, then you are doing exceptionally well. And I hasten to say you are in the small minority. I will admit, that I came very close to something along these lines, sometime before the start of our 2nd hit at Adelaide. But the way in which we approached that innings, the fight and concentration that Joe Root displayed, the desire for batting KP showed and the return of the Matt Prior we all know and love with bat in hand, changed something in my mind. The fact that for the first time in 4 goes, we actually showed that we could bat against this attack, and at times, look comfortable against Johnson and co, gave me real hope, and should give all England fans hope, that we can indeed turn this series around.
In reality, it all boils down to what happens in the next couple of days, and more precisely, England's first innings efforts with the bat. Bat well and bat long and we are right back in with a chance in the game, and with it the series. Bat poorly for what would be the fourth time in five attempts, and we can wave goodbye to the little urn for at least another 4 years. A slither of hope is still there for England, but if we are too keep that hope, it must be now that we wrestle ourselves back into the contest and grab some momentum back from the hosts.
With time running short to finish this piece, we have already witnessed the first day at Perth, which obviously was another frustrating one for the Cook and the lads. However, quick wickets on day 2 and a strong day of batting will leave England in a good position and that is all we can do and this stage. The pitch looks a belter. More of our batters are in form than any other stage of this series. We now just need to do the work and score some big runs. Long overdue big runs. If we can do that, maybe the third innings of this game may be the turning point in this series. The Aussies are due one bad innings surely?
The fact that this game is already into day 2 doesn't weaken this debate much at all. The fact of the matter is that England restricted Australia to a par score on a good wicket, which means we are in no wiser position than we were Wednesday night. The real test comes now, with the batters trying to take on this attack and get a good first innings score, or dare I say even a lead. Early days I know, but if we can do just that and put them under pressure sometime on the evening of the 3rd day then who knows? This comeback could well be back on the cards.
Jamie Mann
Looking at this series as a whole, part-way through the Adelaide thumping, before our second innings effort with the bat, I was not confident. I'm an optimist when it comes to sport. But on the back of another early morning capitulation, that saw the Aussies remove our entire middle order for less than the Days of Christmas, I was as pessimistic as I could get about our chance of getting back into the series. Prior couldn't score a run, Pietersen looked as uninterested and de-motivated as I've ever seen him, Swann horribly out of form and unable to remotely tie the Aussies down, Cook looked vulnerable against any type of pitched up delivery and most of the other batters still struggling with anything that wasn't in their half. It looked like a team that quite simply couldn't compete with the super powers of Mitchell Johnson and his army of aggressive, in your face cricketers, trying to bring back the the old-fashioned Aussie style of playing, and bullying their way towards success.
Anyone looking on, and following this series from afar, couldn't be blamed for taking this view whatsoever. And to be honest, if you have watched as many days, sessions, overs and advert breaks as I have over the course of these first two matches, and haven't been so fed up of the one-sided contest, you have decided to throw in the preverbal towel, then you are doing exceptionally well. And I hasten to say you are in the small minority. I will admit, that I came very close to something along these lines, sometime before the start of our 2nd hit at Adelaide. But the way in which we approached that innings, the fight and concentration that Joe Root displayed, the desire for batting KP showed and the return of the Matt Prior we all know and love with bat in hand, changed something in my mind. The fact that for the first time in 4 goes, we actually showed that we could bat against this attack, and at times, look comfortable against Johnson and co, gave me real hope, and should give all England fans hope, that we can indeed turn this series around.
In reality, it all boils down to what happens in the next couple of days, and more precisely, England's first innings efforts with the bat. Bat well and bat long and we are right back in with a chance in the game, and with it the series. Bat poorly for what would be the fourth time in five attempts, and we can wave goodbye to the little urn for at least another 4 years. A slither of hope is still there for England, but if we are too keep that hope, it must be now that we wrestle ourselves back into the contest and grab some momentum back from the hosts.
With time running short to finish this piece, we have already witnessed the first day at Perth, which obviously was another frustrating one for the Cook and the lads. However, quick wickets on day 2 and a strong day of batting will leave England in a good position and that is all we can do and this stage. The pitch looks a belter. More of our batters are in form than any other stage of this series. We now just need to do the work and score some big runs. Long overdue big runs. If we can do that, maybe the third innings of this game may be the turning point in this series. The Aussies are due one bad innings surely?
The fact that this game is already into day 2 doesn't weaken this debate much at all. The fact of the matter is that England restricted Australia to a par score on a good wicket, which means we are in no wiser position than we were Wednesday night. The real test comes now, with the batters trying to take on this attack and get a good first innings score, or dare I say even a lead. Early days I know, but if we can do just that and put them under pressure sometime on the evening of the 3rd day then who knows? This comeback could well be back on the cards.
Jamie Mann