Australia crumbles

Day 2, 2nd Test, Lords, Ashes 2009

The morning session went as I envisioned. The Australian’s ran through the lower order and despite a spirited display by the last pair, they polished them off without wasting time.

The stage was set for what I imagined was a Cardiff like batting display from Australia. However, there was a difference, the ball was swinging and Anderson having nicely warmed up while batting straight away picked up Hughes and Ponting.

Ponting dismissal was controversial to say the least and could well become a topic for dissertation, if Australia loses this Test, which is a possibility.

Hussey, Katich and Haddin were the only batsmen who withstood the onslaught, but they failed to carry on and squandered the opportunity. Anderson and Co. blew the rest away.

Australia at 156/8 is scampering to avoid a follow on. A hint of negativity appears to have set in already into the Australian mindset. Hussey was saying at the close of day press conference that Australia has to replicate England’s rearguard action at Cardiff to save the Test match.

England thanks to Andersons 4/36 are sitting pretty and all they needed to do is to close out the Australian innings as quickly as possible and from there on exert pressure.

Nevertheless knowing the England team’s propensity to crumble and Australia’s grittiness one expects a good contest. Their dire predicament will be motivation enough for Johnson to come swinging.