Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
Put simply, crazy as it may seem, England have a real shot at winning the second Test.
Why?
England’s bowlers are well equipped to take advantage of the pink ball in terms what it offers in the air and off the pitch, especially under lights. The highest maximum temperature over the five days in Adelaide is expected to be about 23 degrees, with some rain around. Add the easy-paced nature of the Adelaide pitch and England would be feeling right at home.
The downfall for England in Brisbane began when the pitch quickened up. Their second innings performance was so poor that it seemed Cameron Bancroft’s press conference about Jonny Bairstow’s headbutt lasted longer. The slower Adelaide pitch will help their cause, but question marks still remain about their top order.
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| Alastair Cook would love Ashes runs as his Christmas gift! |
Australia, despite the big win in Brisbane, didn’t have it all their own way. It seems almost impossible at the moment, but what happens if Steve Smith bags a low score? If it wasn’t for his brilliant 141*, Australia would have faced a huge deficit, and probably defeat in Brisbane. The spotlight will remain on those around Smith, as he can’t go big all the time.
The bowlers went well, as expected. The short ball tactic again caused England to unravel, and with a little more assistance expected in Adelaide, England will have another tough outing. It would have been awesome to see Chadd Sayers included in the XI for this Test as he can exploit these conditions perfectly, but where do you fit him in?
There is no way Australia can leave out a batsman to cater for him, considering how thin the line up is looking. England’s batting also has its issues so the question is – will the team that bats the most under lights go on to lose the Test? Most probably.
Key to an Australia win
You just know the bowlers will step up, but what about the batsmen? That’s the biggest issue for Australia at the moment.
Despite nailing the 170 chase in Brisbane, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will continue to be examined – David Warner’s little “pull flick” needs to go, and Bancroft needs to avoid squaring up. Usman Khawaja has nightmares about spinners – he’d probably have nightmares about my 7 year old cousin who bowls a bit of spin. Peter Handscomb’s unorthodox technique is being put to the test. Shaun Marsh did well in the first Test, but still has plenty to prove. Tim Paine hasn’t scored a first class century since 2006.
There is plenty for England to target in Australia’s top seven, so support for Steve Smith will go a long way to a 2-0 series lead.
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| In my opinion, Smith’s hundred in Brisbane was his best yet. |
Key to an England win
Reducing Steve Smith’s impact…. twice.
This seems much easier said than done at the moment, with Steve Smith practically unstoppable. However, Stuart Broad and James Anderson have 899 Test wickets between them, so they have the experience and ability to unlock the prized wicket of the Australian captain.
In 2012, when Michael Clarke was scoring double hundreds for fun, Dale Steyn bowled one of the most memorable balls in Perth causing Clarke to edge behind. Anderson is best placed to produce something like this. Can he?
A low score for Steve Smith means serious pressure on a bit of a fragile batting line up, and England surely have to believe this is their best chance at a win.
Predicted line-ups:
Australia are expected to go with the same line up that won in Brisbane. What was pleasing was the high energy levels of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood even after bowling plenty of tough overs in the England first innings.
Australia XI: 1 Cameron Bancroft, 2 David Warner, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Steve Smith (c), 5 Peter Handscomb, 6 Shaun Marsh, 7 Tim Paine (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Patrick Cummins, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood
England would be desperate for Alastair Cook to find some form. His record in Ashes series since 2010/11 is worrying to say the least. Also, Joe Root has a problem of falling over and getting caught LBW, in addition to a 50/100 conversion rate that should be better for a player of his class. Mark Stoneman, James Vince and Dawid Malan all hit half-centuries in Brisbane, but England need more from Cook and Root, who are key to their chances in Adelaide. Also, expect Jonny Bairstow to headbutt move his way up the order, and for Craig Overton to make his Test debut, replacing Jake Ball.
England XI: 1 Alastair Cook, 2 Mark Stoneman, 3 James Vince, 4 Joe Root (c), 5 Dawid Malan, 6 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 7 Moeen Ali, 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Craig Overton, 11 James Anderson
Stats and Facts:
- In his last 34 Test innings, Steve Smith has scored 2824 runs at an average of 100.85. To put this amazing record into further perspective, Don Bradman averaged 87.81 in his last 34 Test innings.
- Alastair Cook scored more runs in the 2010/11 series alone than all of his next 22 Ashes innings combined. In the 2010/11 series, Cook scored 766 runs at 127.66. Since then, he has scored 532 runs at 24.18
- Stuart Broad is nine wickets away from becoming the second England bowler to take 400 Test wickets, after his new-ball partner James Anderson.
- Joe Root’s conversion rate of 28.26% is the worst among the top ten batsmen in the world.
- Mitchell Starc’s last game Adelaide Oval? 8-wicket haul for New South Wales in a day-night Sheffield Shield match.
Prediction:
