Ashes 2010 – Australians crumble as the Barmy Army reigns supreme
Never have the Australians made a worse start in the Ashes for the last 60 years as they have made today in the second test at Adelaide. England has most certainly come out on top as they have rattled the Australian batting line with uncanny ease with Anderson
taking 3 wickets in a short span of time and Finn taking one wicket. The confidence emanating from the Englishmen can be attributed to their record breaking performance in the first test in Brisbane as the top three batsmen of England all scored centuries
in the second innings, the first time that this has happened since 1924.
After failing to make an impact in the first innings, the Barmy Army found themselves in trouble at Gabba however they were sailed to safety by their batsmen who broke one record after another as they sank their feet firmly on the pitch. Alastair Cooks double
century also marked the longest time any Englishman has spent on the crease in Australia. All of these statistics are not mere numbers, but carry significant importance for they are reflective of the form of both the sides.
The Poms have never seemed as complete a unit as they have come across this time in the Ashes. Their mental strength has been apparent on the field, their bowling was a cause of concern for them in the first test however with the way they have bowled on
the first day in Adelaide has been inspirational. The Adelaide wicket has known to be batting friendly with teams making big first innings scores and one would have expected just that as Jarrod Kimber mentioned that Ricky Ponting’s breezy half century meant
the momentum was with the Australians. However Ricky Ponting failed to capitalize on the opportunity when required and Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 soon departed as well. The form of these two men is of the utmost importance and can mark a difference between an Ashes win
or a possible loss.
Ricky Ponting did not captain well at all, in the last test match. His field was less than attacking coming across more like a mid after-noon placement rather than the sort which would convert chances into wickets. Once again today the Punters have through
their performance shown that their team is in complete shambles. It is a team in turmoil, a team that has lost its knack. If the Australians manage to lose the Ashes this time round as well, then that would be the icing on the cake for Ricky Pontings tumultuous
career where the Kangaroos have lost the Ashes twice under his leadership.
England has most certainly came out on top. Michael Clarke had looked horribly out of form in Brisbane and he repeated his poor form as he tried to reach forward tentatively towards a ball from Jimmy Anderson, to flick a thick edge onto second slip. Andrew
Strauss stepped up to the challenge today as the Englishmen took fielding, his field was aggressive with slips in place to put pressure on the nervy Australians. The bowlers performed exceptionally well, most importantly James Anderson who took three important
wickets early on to pile up the pressure on the Punters. Graeme Swann who was a cause of concern for the English side in the first test bowled exceptionally well, as he gave the ball flight and considerable turn. He managed to break the threatening partnership
of Hussey and Haddin as the former was deprived of another century.
Haddin and Hussey were the only positives for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 today who have failed to make any headway with the excellent opportunity they had as they came on to bat first on a batting track.
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