2009 Ashes: XI Hasty Thoughts

The Team Sheets

I suspect that there was relief in the English dressing sheds when Strauss returned with the Australian team sheet. Retaining Australia’s pace attack from South Africa was a no-brainer but choosing Hauritz instead of Clark would have brought a grin to many a face.

The Toss

When you select two spinners it is imperative that you win the toss and bat first. Strauss did exactly that and Australia will be under pressure for the rest of the Test as a consequence.

The Pitch

Fortunately for Australia the atmospheric conditions were conducive to swing otherwise the scorecard would have looked very ugly at day’s end. There was little lateral movement and the bounce is slow and predictable. For the patient batsman there are few demons and plenty of runs and Australia will be looking for Simon Katich to dig in and score an ugly, monotonous century on Day Two to haul them to a respectable position.

Ben Hilfenhaus

On the biggest stage showed the cricketing world why he is rated so highly at home. In only his fourth Test with very few competitive overs under his belt he troubled every batsman with several spells of polished and lively outswing. He was Australia’s best bowler by some distance and was the only one to continually trouble Kevin Pietersen.

Nathan Hauritz

His inclusion was forced on Ponting by the pitch conditions and he didn’t impress. A team is only as strong as its weakest member and Hauritz is clearly out of his depth. His bowling before the second new ball was insipid and allowed Flintoff and Prior to wrestle the initiative away from Australia after Hilfenhaus broke the Collingwood/Pietersen partnership.

Mitchell Johnson

Apart from a couple of explosive overs before lunch Mitch looked out of sorts. The uneven and shifting surface in delivery stride bothered him and he never really found rhythm. On the sunny side, he will probably not bowl any worse all tour.

Peter Siddle

The aggressive Victorian rescued Australia from a fast approaching abyss late in the day when he removed Flintoff and then produced an almost unplayable quick and late inswinger to send Prior on his way. Another who will improve with more competitive overs behind him.

Kevin Pietersen

England’s most damaging batsman had his foot on Australia’s throat before foolishly gifting his wicket to the least challenging of Australia’s bowlers. Curiously, after tea he became distracted and couldn’t keep concentration. Perhaps he was bothered by his tender achilles or the benign pitch but whatever it was his wicket a few overs after Collingwood’s dismissal allowed Australia back in the match.

Matt Prior

The ‘keeper played an excellent counter attacking innings late in the day that should see England post a respectable, and if things go well in the morning session, match-winning first innings total. He was helped by Hauritz’ wayward bowling but nonetheless he turned a precarious situation into a positive for his team.

Nightwatchman

In three decades of watching and playing cricket it was the first time I’ve ever seen a nightwatchman to protect a No. 8. It was a maniacally defensive tactic and probably was a factor in Prior losing his wicket as Australia were encouraged by the decision. It was curious indeed for Swann will now be entering late in the innings with only Monty Panesar as insurance.

Day Two

England are in a sound position yet Australia will be very pleased with their initial efforts. Obviously, England will be looking at batting as long as they are able but you can be assured that Australia will lift their intensity and throw everything at them in the first hour. If the ball doesn’t swing like it did on Day One England will be chasing leather for much of the afternoon as there will be little else for the bowlers except some slow turn. It will be interesting, hard fought and nailbiting and you wouldn’t expect anything else.