#360view: Cook should not press the panic button

Ajit Vijaykumar 08:12 21/07/2015
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  • Alastair Cook and his men will have plenty of work to do ahead of the third Ashes Test.

    England’s previous Ashes mauling was so horrific, fear of an encore reared its head the moment Alastair Cook’s men lost the second Test on Sunday. 

    Granted, the 405-run defeat was the ninth-heaviest defeat in Test history by way of runs but it’s not time yet to press the panic button, even if the gut feeling might be to do so.

    First, let us look at the facts. Australia were powered by a magnificent double century from Steven Smith and a resilient ton by opener Chris Rogers in the first innings of the Lord’s Test which set the base for a huge first-innings total. 

    England batted well in the first innings to cross 300 but when their turn came to bat for five sessions to save the Test, they folded up in the second essay and were shot out for 103. 
    It’s bad, there is no escaping it. However, we mustn’t forget that England were equally brilliant in the opening Test. 

    They made the most of all their chances, capitalised on every Australia mistake (Joe Root scored a century after being dropped on zero) and finished things off inside four days after they set a daunting target of 412. Sure, all momentum from that win has been lost but the hosts are not in as precarious a position as some suggest.

    Captain Cook scored a mature 96 at Lord’s, which means he is back among the runs. All-rounder Ben Stokes continued with his fearless batting and smashed a 128-ball 87 under pressure. 

    In the bowling department, Stuart Broad is the joint second-highest wicket taker in the series with nine scalps at an average of under 25. Spinner Moeen Ali is doing his job decently and has even managed to dismiss opener David Warner three times in a row, which is quite a feat for a finger spinner.

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    – #360stats: England vs Australia, Ashes second Test review

    No doubt, there are issues to sort out. Opener Adam Lyth should count himself very lucky if he is picked for the third Test, so out of sorts he has looked at the creases and even in the field. 

    Pace spearhead James Anderson has now gone three innings without picking up a wicket and is looking highly ineffective on flat surfaces. One down batsman Gary Ballance and Ian Bell are blowing hot and cold at the moment and only Root, Cook and Stokes are looking assured with the bat in their hands. 

    This is the time to stick to your guns, otherwise the Aussies will be all over England like a rash

    However, these aren’t issues that can’t be tackled. England only need to look at how Australia dusted themselves off after the opening Test embarrassment and went hard at the Englishmen at Lord’s. 

    A turnaround is possible, as there is enough time before the third game starts in Birmingham on July 29. What Cook must ensure is England don’t take a single step backwards. This is the time to stick to your guns and show intent, otherwise the Aussies will be all over England like a rash.

    A few changes in personnel are in order, Mark Wood looking most likely to lose his spot to either left-arm quick Mark Footitt or the experienced Steven Finn. 

    As far as the batting is concerned, Lyth should be given another chance simply because there are not many top-order batters knocking on the door. There is a case of including the in-form Jonny Bairstow for Ballance. But that doesn’t seem very likely.

    A fresh fast bowler in the attack, persistence with the aggressive approach and just a slice of luck should level the playing field. The Aussies are good but England are not that bad either.

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