Brisbane: Day 1: Wasn’t that predictable?
Despite the hype and build up to yesterday’s first day, there was always a nag in the back of my mind, a kind of “impending doom” feeling. And despite only being half awake, not even really believing that it was all about to start, getting over the shock of Giles getting the nod ahead of Panesar, Sky Sports cocking up their coverage of the toss such that we had to guess that Australia had inserted themselves after winning it, after all that, Steve Harmison’s first ball - which was directed squarely at Flintoff at 1st slip for an enormous wide - was really a sign of the day to come.
Closing on 300+ for just 3 down, Australia never really struggled. Justin Langer looked in imperious form, only superceded by Ricky Ponting’s century. Australia did bat well - they showed patience, control, concentration, as well as some awesome strokeplay. Not taking anything away from that, but it was made easier by England’s bowling attack that was decidedly lacklustre. It fell on Freddie to once again do all the work himself, a task that he surely can’t keep up throughout the series. Anderson looked OK, Hoggard was OK, even Giles after a year out, looked OK. But OK in an Ashes series is not good enough. The biggest concern will be in paceman Harmison, the lynchpin of England’s bowling attack. He was all over the place. His first two spells - of just 2 and 4 overs, had no venom to them, no control, nothing to show for the form that in recent years made him the #1 fast bowler in the world. Yesterday he looked average, and more worryingly, didn’t really seem to have a clue what to do about it. His 3rd spell was more convincing, but he’s still a shadow.
There’s plenty of work to do on Day 2. I’m not writing anything or anyone off at all just yet, but that KP had an extended bowl on Day 1 of an Ashes test on one of the fastest wickets on the world is not a good sign. The first spell, even the first session could be written off to nerves, but not the whole day. If Harmison fails to show any sign of form in this match, then I believe England will have to seriously consider dropping him. It’s one thing having a bowler who is just not cutting through, but if he’s expensive as well then it’s a different story.
That’s miles away yet, though. All eyes will be Harmison on Day 2, but it’s not fair for him to shoulder the entire burden - Anderson, Hoggard and Giles have to step up and provide him and Freddie with more solid support.
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