Two days on from the fourth Ashes Test, Australia will be breathing a sigh of relief.
There will be a sense of jubilation knowing their hard work in the first two Tests has paid dividends, but they will know deep down that they were out-played in Manchester.
The weekend’s rain robbed England of the opportunity to win back the Ashes. The best they can do now is draw the series, while Australia will be looking to seize back the initiative of the summer.
England are going to have to dig very deep for a final push at a less glorious triumph. Pride will be England’s prize. The Ashes is going to have to wait another couple of years for them.
Australia on the other hand, could leave England’s shores, not only retaining the Ashes, but also winning the series in England for the first time in 22 years. They know they will have to be better if they are to achieve this goal, but they are now in the box seat.
The fourth Test was as flat as I have seen an Australian team for some time. In contrast, England looked to be flying to the finish line.
The big question for England will be whether than can continue their momentum, despite the disappointment of throwing a thousand punches without knocking out their greatest rival in Manchester.
Their frustration is palpable, but unfortunately there is nothing they can do about the weather. Rain and cricket simply don’t go.
As a cricket person there is nothing worse than rain and our game. One team’s fortune is another’s pain. Australia were certainly on the right side of it this time after being outplayed in the fourth Test.
For the first two Test matches, England’s Bazball approach was entertaining for periods, reckless in others. That recklessness cost them a chance to take a much earlier as ascendancy in the series.
In the fourth Test it all seemed to come together and I must admit I was even surprised at the brutal nature of their attack on Australia’s world class bowling line-up. The second session of day two was the most destructive two hours of cricket I have seen for years. It is no surprise Australia didn’t have any answers.
Besides Ben Stokes’s one off brilliance at Headingly in 2019, and to a lesser extent at Lords in the second Test of this series, Australia’s fast bowling outfit would never have experienced such a counter attack. It is therefore no wonder they were left scratching their heads searching for solutions. Only time will tell if they are better for the experience.
We will also know tomorrow whether Australia will re-visit their selection for the final Test at the Oval. On a pitch that traditionally spins as the the game goes on, it would seem a risk not to bring in Todd Murphy. Now that they have secured the urn, I would be surprised if Murphy wasn’t in the final eleven when Pat Cummins tosses the coin.
This being the case, Australia will have to decide on whether they pick Mitchell Marsh or Cameron Green. With them both in the team, the eleven looks unbalanced for now.
They could both play together in a future Test team, but in this current make-up, the balance doesn’t feel right.
In the form he is in, Australia won’t drop Marsh. He has looked as good as any of their batsmen since he came back into the team. This leaves Green as the unlucky one to drop out. Sometimes such decisions are simply a matter of timing, and in this case, Marsh’s form simply can’t be ignored.
I would suggest this will be Australia’s only change. England are playing for pride, Australia’s seasoned fast bowling brigade will be determined to rectify theirs after England’s onslaught at Old Trafford. It may well be the last time they bowl together in an Ashes series in England. Their bond is strong and they wont want to leave these shores with a final memory of England’s first innings at Old Trafford. I would expect them to fight back hard before they board their flight home.
Reflecting on last week, I now understand the hype of England’s Bazball style. When it comes good it is scintillating to watch. Great players and great teams tend to punch back when they are getting mauled and this is what I am expecting to see from this proud Australian cricket team who are currently No.1 in the world for a reason.