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5 Things Australia need to do differently in the second Ashes Test

Some predicted Australia to win the Ashes outright, although they haven’t done so in England in a long time. Some predicted England to compete well but still gave Australia the thumbs up. There were very few loyalists who actually believed England can win. Even fewer still have entertained the idea of a thumping win that England dished out to the Aussies. It is a long series and the thing with long series is, it is very easy for things to take a massive turn. Endurance, patience and strategies will all be tested just as much as fitness of the players and the will to compete. Australia came to England, World Champions and straight from an excellent tour to West Indies. The pace cordon was firing and the batsmen were on top of the game. However, in just one bad Test, England have exposed quite a few vulnerabilities in the Australian attack. Jason Gillespie made the famous Dad’s Army comment against Michael Clarke’s team and even though he was ridiculed by Clarke, it looks like the former fast bowler and present Kent Coach wasn’t really far off the mark. You cannot do the same things and expect different results. Here are a few things Australia could implement or consider to counter the massive surge in English confidence. 

#1 Pace for pace

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If the talk is to be believed, Peter Siddle might get a game in the Second Test at Lord’s. Ryan Harris’ injury and subsequent retirement was a massive blow for Australian Cricket. He was one bowler who could attack and check the flow of runs simultaneously. In his absence, Australia bowled too much on both sides of the wicket and went for a lot of runs. 

Siddle is a workhorse who will give it away his all. But, if you are in the English camp, you would be happier facing him than the prospect of Pat Cummins, who joined the squad as replacement for Harris. 

Mitchell Starc is battling the possibility of an injury sustained in the first Test and might sit out of the second. With Mitchell Johnson yet to acquire is mojo, there is something bleak about the pace attack. Australia by playing Siddle are actually going England way than the Australian way. Instead of picking an attacking weapon, they are going for the conservative option. 

Cummins’ hasn’t played a Test in a long time and his Johannesburg performance is a distant indicator. Yet, he has played competitive cricket and is match-ready. If Australia were ready to trust him so early and in South Africa, there is no reason why they can’t take a chance with him in England? 

Agreed, South African pitches resemble Australian pitches more, but at this moment, if there is one thing Australia needs, it is someone who can intimidate the English batsmen.

 

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