Before you get on with the review of Australia after Adelaide, please feel free to read about my review about England.
Australia must be thrilled. Hardly 2 tests into the series and they are already one test win away from winning and retaining the Ashes. Remember, last time, in England, Australia drew the series to retain the Ashes. This time, in all likelihood, they will win the series. It may happen even before the clock turns to 00:00 on 31st December or 1st Jan. The odds are completely stacked in favour of Australia. England’s display has been so pathetic that it will be a miracle for them to even save the Boxing Day test.
Good fast bowling reserves
Australia must be thrilled that they have proved to be too good for England despite missing their star bowler and captain alongwith another fine performer, they were able to defeat England comprehensively. Richardson and Neser though may not be like for like replacement, were good enough for England. The fact that Richardson managed a 5-fer in the second innings has catapulted him into the prime position if some of the other bowlers needs to be rested.
Relatively modest scores from Smith
Australia must be thrilled that despite the relatively modest scores from the blade of Steve Smith, they are already 2-0 up. Thanks mainly to the form of Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner. These two have combined twice now over the last couple of tests to put the team in ascendancy. Marnus especially has gone from strength to strength. He has remained patient, blunt the early attack and has gone onto make the English bowlers pay for their mistakes. Buttler’s misses notwithstanding. Warner on the otherhand, is showing a new facet of his game in that he has taken more time than he usually does to get settled.
Harris’s poor form
Australia must be thrilled that despite failing to get solid starts because of Harris’s poor form, they are still confident to give him the entire series to justify his selection. England were never able to take advantage of the early wicket and as a result, they have struggled to restrict the Australians. Head took advantage of England’s slackness and have helped himself to a blistering 100 and an equally blistering 50.
The Tim Paine saga
Australia must be thrilled that despite the upheaval before the start of the series when Tim Paine confessed his escapades and his removal from captaincy and ultimately from the team itself, they are still tough enough and resilient enough to be ahead of England all the time. It will not be an understatement to state that Australia have actually decimated England. Perhaps, the Paine episode has brought the team together. Ofcourse, they do not need any higher motivation than the Ashes itself.
Smith as the captain
Australia must be thrilled that Smith’s reinstatement as captain, albeit just for Adelaide, has not been met with any ill-feeling towards him or the team. Instead, there was a huge cheer when Smith came out to bat. The crowd has given him all the support he needed. Even Shane Warne didn’t find it important to criticise the decision. All seems to have been forgiven and everyone has moved on. It was a nice gesture on the part of Smith to have worn Cummins’s jacket while going out for the toss. He has clearly signalled that it is Cummins who is the captain and he is just there to support him.
‘It’s been an enjoyable week leading this team in Pat’s absence and carrying on what we started last week at The Gabba,’ he said.
‘I didn’t have a lot of notice, I only found out that first morning when I had two missed calls from Pat and a message from JL (head coach Justin Langer). I thought ‘gee, something is going on here’.
‘It brought back some old memories in a way and I had fun out there, but it’s Patty’s team.
‘I’m the vice-captain and I will help him any way I can. That’s my job. Hopefully we can keep the momentum going into what should be an amazing Boxing Day Test.’
Huge difference in class
Australia must be thrilled that the gap between the teams is as wide and as deep as the Mariana Trench. England have been sucked into it and it is difficult if not impossible to see them bounce back in the series. The entire Australian ecosystem is not even required to do their bit to unnerve England. Precisely because they have done that to themselves.
Australia must be thrilled that they will perhaps not be required to increase their game to higher level. They just continue with what they have done over the last couple of tests, they will easily win the Ashes. It is really very sad to think about it.
Australia must be thrilled, above all, that they have to chance to whitewash England. England are down and are ripe for the taking. Australia have their legs on England’s throat. Now, all they have to do is ensure that they remain there. The whitewash is something rare at the international level over the course of 5 games though not unheard of. Cummins will certainly want to join the likes of Ponting and Clarke who had whitewashed England all those years ago.
Conclusion to Review of Australia after Adelaide
With the imminent return of Cummins and the form of Warner, Marnus, Starc and Lyon, Australia are firmly on the driver’s seat. Even a miracle is unlikely to save England. By the end of the year, the Ashes is likely to be retained by Australia. What a shame that the Ashes will be decided in about 13 – 14 days.