12 Jun 2019
If England’s batting line-up was being questioned after the first Ashes Test, a massive collapse in the second Test has certainly not taken any of the pressure off.
Heading into the final day in Adelaide, England needed 178 more runs to win, with six wickets remaining. Any hopes of a record-breaking run chase were soon dashed when Joe Root and Chris Woakes fell in the first three overs of the day – Australia ultimately winning by 120 runs. England lost their last six wickets for just 57 runs, from 134 deliveries.
It leaves England heading into the Perth Test 2-0 down in the series, with an uphill struggle to avoid a series whitewash. In two of the previous three Ashes tours, England have succumbed to a 5-0 loss and the tourists will have to address their ongoing batting issues to avoid another one. England have batted four times this series, and scored more than 240 on just one occasion.
In the last 12 Ashes Tests, England batsmen have managed just three centuries. Two of those were made by captain Joe Root, although the Yorkshireman has failed to capitalise on several fifties since, not being able to go on and make big scores.
England approach the Perth Test needing to put an end to a seven-game streak of losses at the Waca. The pitch was once known as one of the fastest and bounciest in world cricket, with wicketkeepers in the 1980s tending to stand at least 35 yards behind the stumps.
Whilst the pitch is not as quick as it once was, the sea breeze is set to play a factor. The windy conditions in Perth can play into the batters’ hands – you need only ask Monty Panesar – as evidenced by the 2006 Ashes Test when Adam Gilchrist used the favourable conditions to hit the left-arm spinner for 24 runs in one over, on his way to a 57-ball century.
If England are to get a foothold in the series, Joe Root may be wise to elect to bat first if he wins the toss. Going back to the beginning of 2013, England have not fared well when batting second in Test cricket – winning just seven matches out of 29 played. Compare that to when they’ve batted first, and England have won 18 out of 33.
Whether England bat first or not, it’s difficult to look past a series-clinching victory for Australia in Perth at 4/7 with Genting Bet.
This week the Waca plays host to its final Ashes test, before the new $1.5bn Optus Stadium takes over the reins. England will hope to save this series and get a win at a ground where they’ve won just once in 13 visits.
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