Can Australia’s Ashes dominance continue at the MCG

With over 90000 expected at the MCG today, can Australia continue to dominate this test series, or will England be able to replicate Australia’s amazing Ashes turn around?

Although stranger things have happened, it is hard to see England being able to turn their form around to such a degree, in such a short period of time.

A task made even more difficult by not only the unexpected and sudden retirement of Graeme Swan during the week – and the subsequent fallout following his decision. But also the injury cloud hanging over Stuart Broad, by far England’s best bowler in the series so far.

There is also the fact that it is not just one area of the game that England need to improve. They have been thoroughly outplayed by Australia in every facet of the game.

Such has been Australia’s dominance over the first three tests that, of the 41 sessions played, England have taken the points in only three. One of those, the penultimate of the third test, produced their one and only century of the series so far – an impressive 120 from Ben Stokes. That innings brought his average up to 41.75 for the series, the only batsman to average above forty.

Conversely, Australia’s batsmen have scored seven individual centuries. Dave Warner has amassed 457 runs at a Bradmanesque average of 91, while Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin are averaging 55 and 65 respectively. The top seven have all scored half centuries, and to rub further salt into an already raw wound, Australia’s number ten, Ryan Harris’s average of 38 is better than all the English batsmen apart from Stokes.

The disparagement between the two sides bowling attacks is even greater. Besides Stuart Broad, who has taken 14 wickets at 25.21, the English bowling figures are woeful. James Anderson has taken seven wickets at an average of 58, while Graeme Swann has five wickets at 55. The other bowlers England have used – Tremlett, Root, Stokes, Panesar and Bresnan – are all averaging above 40.

An injury free and confident Mitchell Johnson is in devastating form, and making his critics eat their words.

The Australian bowling attack has been nothing short of brilliant. Led by an in form and injury free Mitchell Johnson, they have been relentless. They have stuck to their game plans, bowled to their fields, and given the English batsmen no quarter.

The figures, while not telling the whole story speak for themselves. Johnson, 23 wickets at 15, Harris, 12 at 23, Siddle, 11 at 22, Lyon 10 at 31, and Watson chipping in with three wickets at an average of 31.

Not only has the Australian attack bowled magnificently well, they have also chipped in with the bat. As already noted, Harris is averaging 38, while Johnson is as in form with the bat as he is with the ball, averaging 49. As a quartet they have added 301 valuable runs in four innings, at an average of 27 per player. In contrast England’s last four have only scored 151 runs in six innings at an average of 7.

The disparity between the two sides does not stop with bat and ball. In the field the Australians have been magnificent, while England have been anything but. They have dropped far too many catches at vital times throughout the series. In particular, in the final session of the first day in Adelaide when they dropped Clark (148) on 18, Bailey (51) on 10 and Haddin (118) before he had barely scored.

There is also a noticeable difference in the demeanour of the respective captains. Michael Clark is leading from the front averaging over 50 with two centuries. His decision making in the field has been first rate. He has appeared confident, yet level headed throughout the series, and he obviously has the full support of his team.

Alistair Cook is under enormous pressure as both a batsman and Captain

Alistair Cook on the other hand is averaging 25, far below his overall average of 47, and the lowest of England’s top six. He has appeared hopeful, more than confident, and at various times his captaincy has been questionable.

The differing approaches was perhaps at its most evident in the third test in Perth, where Australia had a minimum of three slips the vast majority of the time while the pace bowlers were operating. England had two for much of Australia’s innings, and occasionally only one.

Perhaps the English team can take some inspiration from the Barmy Army. They have been fantastic all summer. No matter how bad a situation the England side has found itself in, the Barmy Army’s belief in their team has not wavered. They have cheered, chanted and supported their team throughout, and no doubt they will be out in force again today at the MCG. An Ashes series would not be the same without them.

The task before England is huge. Not only do they have to drastically turn their own form around, they have to face an Australian team determined to finish them off. Australia will not be letting up, despite having already won the Ashes. There are too many players in the side that have tasted the bitterness of multiple Ashes losses for that to occur, particularly Captain Michael Clark.

The Australians also consider this series to be a continuation of the one played in England earlier in the year. According to them, the series stands at three all, not three nil, so from them there will be no let up. However looking at it from that perspective also gives hope to the English team, as they can still ‘win the series’, if not the Ashes, and at least give them some momentum coming into the New Year.

Then they could all be given Knighthoods.

With Ponting gone, who will get the nod for the Hobart test?

Alex Doolan on his way to 161 not out for Australia A against South Africa.

A resurgent South Africa and injuries to bowlers foiled Australia’s bid to becoming the number one test nation, and with Ricky Ponting retiring and an ashes series looming, what direction will the selectors take into the series against Sri Lanka?

The first question is who will replace Ponting at number three? The five leading candidates are Rob Quiney, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Alex Doolan and Callum Ferguson.

Quiney although having failed in his first two tests has the backing of Ponting , as well as Shane Warne, and perhaps deserves another chance against a far less formidable bowling attack than he faced against South Africa.

Phil Hughes is the leading scorer in first class cricket this summer with 518 runs from five matches at an average of 52. South Australia sit second last, which strengthens the argument for his selection.

Likewise his SA teammate Callum Ferguson. Ferguson was playing for Australia in one day cricket and was highly thought of until injury cut him down. He has scored 463 runs at 42 in six matches.

Usman Khawaja sits behind Ferguson and Hughes as far as runs scored in first class cricket this summer having scored 438 runs from six matches at 40. Queensland coach Darren Lehman has backed Khawaja, saying he is a much better player since his last foray into test cricket.

Perhaps the dark horse is Alex Doolan from Tasmania. Doolan has scored 409 runs from five matches with an impressive average of 58. He also scored 161 not out for Australia A against South Africa earlier in the summer, and including that score has scored 570 runs from six first class matches at an average of 81.

Doolan is only 27, and as the first test is in his home state deserves his chance. He bats at number three for Tasmania, so there would be no need for any reshuffling of the batting order.

Suggestions have also come for Shane Watson to open, and David Warner to drop down the order to six. This has merit as Watson has done well as an opener and it would also give Australia a right and left handed opening combination. Coming in at six would also suit Warner’s aggressive batting.

If Warner was to come in at six, the temptation would be to move Michael Clarke up to four, with Hussey at five. However Clarke’s average at four is only 21 without any centuries, whereas at five he averages 60 with 17 centuries, so perhaps Hussey at four and Clarke at five.

Jackson Bird has taken 27 wickets at 20 so far this summer

While John Hastings was serviceable in the third test, he really didn’t do anything to suggest he is a long term option. He will probably be replaced in the side by Peter Siddle, who was sorely missed in the third test.

Mitchell Johnston and Mitchell Starc while bowling well at times, were also expensive against the South Africans. The selectors may decide to keep both, or bring back Ben Hilfenhaus, who was either rested or dropped for the third test.

It would also be no surprise to see the selectors bring in another new face, looking towards the upcoming ashes tour. Jackson Bird could be another bolter from Tasmania. Bird bowls right arm medium, and is the leading wicket taker in first class cricket this summer with 27 wickets from six matches, at an average of 20.56. Overall he has taken 87 wickets at under 20 runs per wicket in 17 first class matches, and may be well worth a look.

Whatever side the selectors choose for the first test, Australia will be determined to improve on the performance from the South African defeat in Perth.

While nowhere near as bad as the Australian media is making it out to be, they will be bitterly disappointed to have lost the match and the series; as well as the chance to regain the number one ranking.