England have been left chasing the 4th test after just the first day at Headingley after being bowled out for just 102 in their first innings.
The hosts were shocked by the news that Andrew Flintoff will miss the match with his knee injury, and then by a back injury to Matt Prior in the warm up.
It was thought the Sussex keeper would miss out, but a fitness test revealed he’d be fine to take to the field, and it’s just as well he did as he top scored for the team with an unbeaten 37.
Peter Siddle who was under pressure for his place from Brett Lee and Stuart Clark took 5 for 21 as all four Australian strike bowlers struck in England’s innings.
England’s bowling was then taken apart with some short and wide stuff that was dispatched by Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting.
Ponting made a brilliant 78 with some typically expansive shots, while Watson firmly staked his claim to open the batting beyond this series with his third successive half-century.
England look obviously weakened by the loss of Flintoff, and when it’s compounded with Pietersen’s injury as well they look a far cry from the side who won the Ashes four years ago.
Any team that lose their best two players is going to struggle, and expecting England to play with the same intensity without them is ambitious.
Today showed how weakened they are in both batting and bowling departments without them, and how the players remaining aren’t stepping up to the mark.
Australia on the other hand have seen their bowlers step in for the injury Brett Lee, and Clark, who probably would have missed out if Lee had been fit, came back and bowled beautifully first up this morning.
He took 3 for 10 in a great spell, and although Siddle will get plenty of the plaudits for his five-wicket haul, Clark should not be forgotten for his important contribution.
Contributions will have to improve for England themselves tomorrow, and with a struggling James Anderson to deal with England will look towards Stuart Broad for answers on day two.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment