With the competition entering an interesting phase, both the captain has to be on their toes to win the remaining matches.
Australia has been struggling with their bowling in this series, with Ricky ponting's men losing an Ashes test at Lord's after 75 years and the Australian media reasoning the defeat to 'collective failure', Aus. has more things to worry, but their bowling looks to be in deep trouble.
In troubled waters:Brett Lee, Australia's premiere fast bowler, suffering from a side strain has been ruled out of the third test, leaving a severe blow to the bowling lineup.
Brett Lee with his pace and bounce can take wicket in any type of pitch, also his presence in the middle would make the Aussie bowling look more formidable.
Johnson has been the biggest flop for the Aussies in this series. In the absence of Brett Lee, he was touted has the spearhead for the bowling attack but has done very little to live
upto that expectation. His lackluster performance has cost Australia in both matches, failing to take the early breakthroughs. Lot of other stuff going around him is not helping him either, troubled relationship with his mother and so on. He has to put all things behind and concentrate on the job at hand, if
Aus. need to make a comeback in the series.
On the Border:Nathan
Hauritz and Peter
Siddle have not been outstanding but have done their job they were trusted with.
Hauritz was impressive in the first test taking 6 wickets, but was not effective in Lord's, taking just 3 wickets in Eng. second innings, when the batsmen where trying to make some quick runs. Peter
siddle went about his job of finishing his quota of overs without troubling the batsmen. With front line bowlers struggling, it is time for these two to raise their game to help
Aus. square the series.
Brighter side:
Ben
Hilfenhaus surprisingly was the most impressive of the lot, trying to swing the ball and looking like taking wicket. He looked impressive at Lord's too, taking 4 wickets on the first day on a flat pitch. His performance comes as a pleasant surprise, when others are struggling to make a mark. Much was not talked about him before the series, he was expected to fill up the overs and work as a support bowler, he turned to be the best one for Australia for the first two tests. For
Edgbaston, he needs to continue the same form and take the responsibility with Johnson not at his best.
Options:
With an unimpressive performance by his men , Ricky
Ponting is under pressure to make changes especially in the bowling line up, what options he has
infront of him & do they have the potential to turn things around for
Aus., only time will tell.
Stuart Clark, present in Aussie squad, is a tall fast bowler who could be useful in the docile
Edgbaston pitch by generating bounce with his height. He is
Mcgrath type, bowls line and length and leaves the rest to the ball & pitch. Making his case easier is the performance of Johnson, who is struggling visibly with his bowling. He is a strong possibility for the third test.
Shane Watson, all-rounder could also find himself in the team in place of Hughes, who is struggling at the opening slot and
Aus. having a weak bowling, could double up has a bowler. We may even both the changes happening for the third test, scheduled to be started on 30
th July.
England defeated Australia by 115 runs, rewriting history which haunted them for 75 years from 1934. Andrew Flintoff appearing for the last time in Lord's for a test match, came up with an inspiring bowling performance on the last day to seal the match for England. In the build up to this match English players were reminded of their dismal record and there was more pressure to give a perfect farewell gift to one of their talented all-rounder, & they did in convincing fashion.
