Lutters’ Ashes Lines – part five (the second Test)

ENGLAND go 1-0 up in the series with three games to play, and from the outset in Adelaide there was only going to be two results out of the possible three: an England win, or a draw had the storms that were forecast actually arrived.

Australia have been thoroughly outplayed over the four-and-a-bit days, with the innings loss just reward for an excellent performance by the tourists.

Nasser Hussein stated on commentary that Ricky Ponting had been able to say that it was still 0-0 up to this point, but that tiny amount of consolation has now evaporated for the Aussie skipper and he is being fired at from all angles.

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I feel a bit sorry for Ponting, really. He was, and still is, a great player. He is experiencing a personal dip in form and he’s captaining a sub-standard Aussie side compared to what the cricketing public have been used to in recent times with greats such as Warne and McGrath.

Today’s Australian side is weak. They are fourth in the world rankings and with no real chance of bettering that. The problem is that they don’t have much to replace the current side with, although they may as well try something because the current incumbents are not even bruising the mustard, let alone cutting the stuff.

So how could the Aussies change their side?

Simon Katich: awkward to bowl at but not in great form; can bowl a bit, but will certainly be worried about his place.

Marcus North: having a dreadful series with the bat but has picked up a few wickets. I imagine that he is one for the chop. He’s far too hit-and-miss for Australia to pick in my view, especially when they are struggling. His bowling may save him, but it shouldn’t.

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Xavier Doherty: if he was a swimmer, the Aussie selectors would be fishing him out of the pool with a net. Looks totally out of his depth at this level, and arguably at state level, judging by his career bowling average of more than 50 runs per wicket. The Aussie selectors should swallow their pride and reinstate Nathan Hauritz, who may not be world class but is streets ahead of “Doughie”.

Peter Siddle or Doug Bollinger: both will run in all day but have struggled for penetration; I have a hunch that due to the next match being in Perth, a fast and bouncy surface by reputation, a recall for Mitchell Johnson could see “Doug the Rug” or “Sids” dropped as Johnson could, if he gets it right, win them the game.

All-in-all, the Aussie selectors have some tough decisions to make, but I would expect at least three changes at Perth.

As for England, they are going to have to replace Stuart Broad, who is out for the series having picked up an injury on the fourth day. Tim Bresnan would be the obvious choice to replace him, but the selectors may be bold and select Shahzad or Tremlett as their bowling is more potent.

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At the moment, there appears to be no way back for the home team, with local support dwindling and performances poor. But that’s the beauty of Test cricket, and Australia will rally at some point, they just need to make sure that it’s not too late to save the series.

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