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England down and out after Head century crushes all hopes of Ashes miracle
Ben Stokes does not like the word ‘ruthless’ and it is banned in the England dressing room. He bridles when he is asked about it because he says it is something always viewed in retrospect and his team goes out to win every game.
You can understand where he is coming from, but it is also a compliment to be described as ruthless because it is associated with winning sides, which is surely what England aspire to be.
Except when they had their chance in Perth to do just that they blew it and have never recovered. Australia, by contrast, showed their ruthless side at the Adelaide Oval as Travis Head’s unbeaten hundred thrilled his home crowd of more than 50,000 and left England requiring a once-in-a-lifetime comeback to keep the series alive.
Comparisons can be unfair but are unavoidable in an Ashes series with so much at stake, collectively and for individuals. England supporters can only hope their team learns from this one.
At lunch on day three in Adelaide, Australia were 102 ahead with nine wickets in hand. Think back to the Optus Stadium in Perth a month ago when England were 59 for one in their second innings, with a 99-run lead over Australia at lunch on day two.
How did Australia handle their turn to bat an opponent out of a Test match? They extended their lead to 356 and were 271 for four at the close. What did England do in Perth? They froze and lost nine for 99 in a session, a series-wrecking setback. The day ended with England beaten by eight wickets.
Australia’s relentless pursuit of winning left England already requiring a record fourth-innings run chase at one of Test cricket’s oldest grounds to somehow make the series 2-1. The other alternative is the Bazballers developing an appetite for blocking – for at least four sessions – to rescue a draw.
[Source: Daily Telegraph]
