When a draw for England in the First Test is like a win

Ashes Fightback source: Herald Sun

Today at the Gabba the cricketing fraternity globally witnessed an almighty fightback by England on day four of the Ashes. After Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin set a record partnership of more than 300 runs to put Australia 210 runs ahead of England going into the 2nd innings, one could have excused England for succumbing to pressure and giving up a series 1-0 lead to Australia. Not the case. 


Today, we witnessed just why England are heavily backed to retain the Ashes. Today proved just like the past year that Australia's bowlers struggle when their is little in the pitch that offers conducive conditions. Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook had their way with the Australia bowlers today on a benign Day 4 pitch. This was not helped by an Australian attack that did not stick to game plans, often bowling different line and lengths, and not bowling to it's field. 


At Sports Analytics INC, we looked into the Australian bowling attack to determine what did not work:
Ben Hilfenhaus: The Tasmanian did not manage to achieve damaging reverse swing in the middle of the innings with the old ball. Hilfenhaus also does not trouble the batsmen with shorter pitched bouncier bowling, relying on line and length from an average trajectory with him not being overly tall for a strike bowler. This was compounded with weather conditions that did not provide any assistance. Overnight Hilfenhaus will be hoping for overcast humid conditions come the morning. 


Peter Siddle: Siddle can never be questioned for endeavour and heart, however today he just did not pitch the ball up enough and make the opening duo of Strauss and Cook play at enough balls. The discipline and ability to tie the batsmen down at both ends just did not put enough pressure on the batsmen. Siddle needs to be measured and limit the short ball and keep the ball pitched up at the agonising length that gets the batsmen forward with poor foot work much like his first innings rampage. 


Mitchell Johnson: Extremely disappointing today. Johnson's inability to bowl consistent for the past year is a big worry. Today Johnson bowled the occasional 'çorker' of  delivery which saw the likes of Cook and Trott play and miss with his fast off-cutters but this will be too often followed up with a short ball that's wide that does not keep the pressure on the batsmen. Johnson's day was further not helped by dropping a sitter when Strauss was 69 off Doherty's bowling. Surely must be feeling the heat with Bollinger banging down the door.


Xavier Doherty: Unfortunately Doherty had a baptism of fire today in his debut test. Doherty bowled too fast with very little variation. Doherty averaged his balls at around 90 k/h which on a wicket that is still not turning much, means he got very minimal turn and movement. Combined this with very little variation in height, loop and Doherty unfortunately did no better than Santa at deviation for this time of the year. The more perplexing stat was that Marcus North bowled far more than Doherty during dangerous times.


Shane Watson: Watson's line and length was not as stellar as day 1's performance. The worrying element for Australia is they depend on Watson making big scores with the bat that they do not want to burn him out with the ball today. This was evidenced with him only bowling 8 overs this innings for 25 runs. 


Marcus North: Anyone would think North was the number 1 spinner for Australia with him getting the scalp of Strauss, however the wicket was more a tired Strauss than a quality ball by North. North should teach Doherty that variation is required. 


All in all, the Australian's have done it again. They've played great cricket for periods of games but have then played poorly for periods where teams get off the canvass and play themselves back into the game. To overcome this, greater discipline is required.