After England’s triumph at Cardiff, I was expecting a bit more fight from the Aussies at Lord’s, but surely nothing as emphatic as what Michael Clarke’s men delivered this week. The First Test result had a lot to do with crushing the confidence of Mitchell Johnson, first by providing a wicket to neutralise sheer pace and second by the partisan crowd goading him on the boundary whenever possible.
I’m no expert on the art and science of the groundsman’s skills but the match proved simply to be a one-sided affair where the Australian batsmen dominated the English bowlers, and their seamers routed the home batsmen, especially in the second innings.
Chris Rogers’ recent record-equalling run of Test fifties and Steve Smith’s fabulous couple of years weren’t mere accidents, and their 284-run second-wicket partnership sucked the life out of Anderson and co, with both achieving their highest scores so far in Test cricket. If the 37 year-old opener can aggregate more than 200 runs with a bad head, what could he have produce when in full health? Meanwhile, Smith seemed to be toying with the England attack in the manner of Viv Richards in his pomp!
Australia’s first four wickets posted 426, England’s a mere 30. At least Alastair Cook and Ben Stokes produced a resilient stand of 145 to keep things interesting. Nevertheless, Clarke showed shrewd determination by not enforcing the follow-on, allowing Rogers and Smith (again) and a grateful David Warner to rub Cook’s nose in the guano. It obviously worked because the England second innings didn’t even last two sessions, let alone the five needed to survive the match.
Steve Smith deservedly won the Man of the Match award but credit should also be shared amongst the five main bowlers. Josh Hazelwood and Johnson claimed eleven wickets between them, more than the entire England attack. Starc, Lyon and Mitchell Marsh – recalled in place of Shane Watson - also weighed in with handy performances. Johnson’s run out of Stokes on the last afternoon added to the humiliation. Stuart Broad’s jaunty ‘nothing to lose’ knock of 25 proved to be the top score in England’s second innings, more than Lyth and Bell managed between them in both attempts.
Australia have rarely enjoyed a margin of victory as wide as the 405 runs at Lord’s. Only Graham Gooch (against India) has produced a superior aggregate to Steve Smith’s in a Test at the same ground. Jimmy Anderson’s match analysis of 0-137 must be amongst his worst. It all amounts to a miserable four days for Bayliss, Cook et al; a severe reality check after the recent buoyant mood amidst the soaring strike rates.
So what now for Edgbaston? Obviously England will be down and the opponents in great spirits but it’s still 1-1 with three matches to go. Will England make changes? Ian Bell’s persistent failure to get past one must be making him vulnerable, although he must fancy his chances of rediscovering old magic on his home turf. The Yorkshire trio of Lyth, Root and Ballance had a disappointing match but could yet be joined by county colleague Jonny Bairstow next week given his scintillating form in the Championship. James Taylor’s huge innings for Notts puts him in the frame but he has lacked the consistency needed to displace the middle order incumbents.
Amongst the bowlers, the selectors must have been looking at Derbyshire’s Mark Footitt. For all his left-arm seam credentials and plentiful wickets, I can’t see any of the four playing at Lord’s making way for a man plying his trade – however successfully - in Division Two for one of the least fashionable counties. Even without changes, it will make for an interesting contest.
