Ashes 2017/18: What England need to do to escape 0-5 whitewash
In the much anticipated series of the 2017/18 season, Australia have already surged to a 2-0 lead. The scoreline may look as if the hosts have steamrolled England in the Ashes slug-fest. However, that is not a fair reflection of how the two teams have played. In both the Tests, the visitors had their moments but failed to hold on to them.
Things can go pretty downhill from here as England have let their shoulders droop. Memories of 0-5 whippings in 2006/07 and 2013/14 have began to creep in. To make matters worse, the third Test is at the WACA where England have a dire record. They have only won once at the venue from 13 attempts.
So what can they do differently to stop this series from becoming another drubbing at the hands of their arch rivals. England may just avoid another abomination if they can add these traits in the upcoming matches.
Batting with intent
England's best opening partnership has been the 50 run stand that they put together in the second innings of the second test at Adelaide. Mark Stoneman played with intent which did not allow the likes of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to get into rhythm.
They were attacking at almost 4.5 runs per over when the pacers were bowling. But when Lyon came into the attack, they just shut shop and went on the defensive. This allowed the off-spinner to settle and apply pressure. The runs dried up eventually, leading to Stoneman and Cook's dismissals in back to back overs.
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They need not go hammer and tongs. But when Lyon comes into the attack, they have to use their feet whenever possible and rotate the strike instead of being cement-footed inside their crease.
Reshuffling their batting order
England are wasting Jonny Bairstow at number seven as he is running out of batting partners pretty quickly. Ideally speaking, they could have preferred Jos Butler when news came regarding Ben Stokes' suspension. Instead, they have played into Australia's hands by picking a heap of left handers.
Even if they want to drop Malan or Vince, Ballance is their extra batsman who is a southpaw again. So they can just reshuffle their batting order with Bairstow coming in at number five after Root. Such a move can help dealing with the threat posed by Lyon and may also allow Moeen Ali to play freely against the menacing off-spinner.
Unleashing the leg-spinner
Mason Crane, the 20 year old leg-spinner from Hampshire, can be thrown into the mix for the Tests in MCG and SCG if not for the WACA one. The legendary Australian and Hampshire wrist-spinner Shane Warne has a great eye for talent. If he says Crane is good enough to play for England, the team management can at least offer him a debut in the series.
There is no point in making Crane carrying drinks for the entire duration of the tour. Only if he is given an opportunity at the highest level, he will be able to improve his game. Even if he turns out to be half as good as his idol Warne, England would have finally found themselves an ideal spinner to replace Swann.
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Armed with a classical action, he took back-to-back seven-wicket hauls for Gordon CC in Australia and soon represented New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield. Crane became the first overseas player since Imran Khan in 1984/85 to play state cricket in Australia. The time has come for the visitors to provide him with an opportunity at Test level.