Claims that this was an England team which would outclass Australia have, so far, been emphatically silenced. What should scare the old enemy is that it can only get worse.
Despite missing Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood from their bowling attack through injury, Mitchell Starc’s heroics have inspired a 2-0 Ashes lead. His match figures of 8/139 in Brisbane took his series tally to 18.
While England have looked the part at times, they have lacked the killer instinct.
“One thing to be in those moments is to start dealing with pressure and then making sure your mind is clear on the task at hand,” England captain Ben Stokes, whose fighting fourth innings 50 kept his side alive, said.
“As physical as this game is, a huge part of it is also the mental side of it.
“There were some moments where we were looking like the ability we have in the dressing room. The worst thing to do now, is to not have hope.”
Ben Stokes has implored his England players to keep faith.Credit: Getty Images
Starc is expected to be joined at Adelaide’s third Test by Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon, who was overlooked for the day-night clash in favour of an all-pace attack.
Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett successfully dispelled all pre-series suggestions that Australia’s fast bowling depth had been stretched, with Hazlewood and Cummins joined by Sean Abbott, Lance Morris and Spencer Johnson in the casualty ward.
England have not won a Test on these shores since their 2010/11 series triumph. That looks likely to continue, however, Australia’s interim captain Steve Smith senses a comeback beckons.
“They’re going to come back hard, whether they play really aggressive, or take the foot off the pedal a little bit, we’ll wait and see,” Smith said.
Michael Neser took his maiden Test five-wicket haul.Credit: Getty Images
So much was made of England’s pace bowling arsenal – Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood all possessing the speed they felt would trouble the Australians.
That was true in the first innings in Perth, dismantling Australia for 132. Since then, they have not fired a shot.
Wood’s knee injury cruelled them of one strike weapon, but of those who remained, only Archer’s first innings efforts went for fewer than four runs an over in Brisbane.
Of the 24 wickets they have taken, eight have come through allrounder Ben Stokes.
“That first innings with the ball this game, it was myself and Brydon who let that pressure off,” Stokes admitted.
“Batsmen can hit you off the area you want to zone in on, but me and Brydon know we weren’t able to back up Jofra and Gus’ first spell, and we weren’t able to deliver the consistency Australia delivered this whole Test.
“There was a lovely crack running down the wicket – Scott Boland and Neser were incredible at hitting.
“When there’s something like that in the wicket that can assist you, and you’re not consistently able to hammer away at that … we let the game get away from us.”
While neither Matthew Potts nor Josh Tongue played this week, those who lined up for the England Lions also failed to fire, with Australia A declaring at 8/588. Paired with the national side’s 511, and the respective England bowlers conceded 1099 runs in two Brisbane innings.
Before his back injury ruled him out of his home Test, Usman Khawaja had been paired with seven other openers since David Warner’s in early 2024.
But Australia may have found a winner in Jake Weatherald.
The late-bloomer looked brilliant en route to a first innings 72, attacking anything short and outside his off stump, while being unafraid to audaciously lift the ball over the slips cordon.
Jake Weatherald hit a blistering 72 off 78 balls in the first innings.Credit: Getty Images
Weatherald then played a minor anchor role in his second dig, finishing unbeaten on 16 as Smith pummeled 23 from just nine balls.
This is, admittedly, a narrative Australian cricket pundits have seen before. Sam Kontas, Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch and even Smith all scored half-centuries early in their stints as Test openers.
Matthew Renshaw compiled 184 in his fourth Test in early 2017, but has only managed another 10 caps.
However, Weatherald’s chance came after a decade honing his craft, culminating in his 906 runs at an average of 50.33 last Shield season to lay the foundation for his ascent.
“I’m just seeing, reacting and trying to get in good positions. I didn’t actively go out there and play any differently to what I normally would,” Weatherald said.
“I was really happy with the way I left. People obviously think about me scoring quickly, but as an opener, I really pride myself on how well I leave, and I feel as though I can adapt to different scenarios.”
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