After a 10-wicket hammering in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, England have it all to do in the inaugural day-nighter at the Adelaide Oval come Saturday.
Defeat at the Gabba has raised plenty of concerns, problems and debate in the England camp with off-the-field and on-the-field issues, injury and selection giving the Three Lions plenty of headaches.
Here, we look at five questions and wider problems facing Joe Root’s men.
HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE BAIRSTOW?
News of Jonny Bairstow’s behaviour in a Perth bar, resulting in an alleged ‘headbutt’ on Australia opener Cameron Bancroft, has come at the worst time for England.
While it looks like the issue will be quickly be put to bed, with both the man in question and skipper Root saying the altercation was something of nothing, the ECB are still investigating the second late-night fracas in the space of a handful of weeks.
It of course follows Ben Stokes’ much-publicised arrest on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm in Bristol over the English summer, which we all know resulted in his unavailability from this tour.
While the Bairstow matter only came to light only when Australia were picked up on the Brisbane stump mic reminding him of his behaviour that evening, it wasn’t something England needed as they plunged towards a heavy defeat.
Steve Smith claimed that sledging the wicket-keeper batsman about that night helped lead to his second innings dismissal at the Gabba – and that is proof in the pudding – as if it was needed, that such instances are not easy to shake-off in the heat of Ashes battle.
An Australian tour is one which England players rightly enjoy but this could have been avoided and lessons should have been learned quickly following the Stokes saga.
Indeed, coach Trevor Bayliss described the actions of Bairstow as “dumb” and he’s right.
Moreover, former England captain Michael Atherton eloquently (and recently) penned a piece for The Times on how English cricketers should conduct themselves off the field – saying they should be: “Be smart, be sensible, be sociable”.
It’s a shame this message hasn’t gotten through.
Bairstow fronted up to the media about the incident.
CONCERN OVER MOEEN ALI’S CUT FINGER
England may play down Moeen Ali’s injury to his spinning finger but it is a big worry for the tourists heading into the second Test.
The 30-year-old suffered a nasty cut to the index finger of his right hand on day three and struggled to grip the seam of the Kookaburra ball, meaning he bowled only four overs in the second innings.
With just young Hampshire spinner Mason Crane as a reserve in the squad, England’s options are short on the spin front if Moeen isn’t fit for Adelaide.
Joe Root is a more than capable back-up to occupy an end but has got lots on his plate as it is.
England will be hopeful the spinner’s injury, that was thought initially to be just a blister, isn’t too bad.
Moeen Ali is a key player for England.
ANDERSON DIDN’T LOOK QUITE RIGHT
Again, Root allayed any lingering doubts over James Anderson’s fitness post-match but all wasn’t right with England’s highest Test wicket-taker.
The 35-year-old No.11 took a blow while batting and seemed to be hindered physically in his approach to the crease when running in, particularly in the second innings, when he bowled 11 wicketless overs to no effect.
He had a bit of his usual nip and zip about him in the first innings, claiming two wickets – but still drew criticism from who else but Kevin Pietersen, with the former batsman saying the Lancastrian didn’t perform whatsoever.
He has a point in the fact Anderson’s wickets Down Under have come at close to 40 in the past, and with many miles on the clock, it’s a tall order for him to lead with great potency.
England will be very concerned whether he can last the pace for the entire series.
Leader of the attack Anderson struggled at the Gabba.
ALASTAIR COOK’S FORM IS WORRYING
While it was unrealistic to expect England’s all-time top run-scorer to repeat his incredible 235* at Brisbane seven years ago, the opener looks out of nick this time around.
An out-of-form Cook and the manner of his dismissals, a top-edged hook off a short ball in the second innings being one of them, is of great concern. Nine runs in two innings say it all.
Failure to play the hostile short stuff well is a huge problem against Australia’s pace.
England have and still do rely too heavily on Cook – and when he doesn’t score – the team really feel the pinch.
Hooking and out: Cook.
SHOULD JAKE BALL BE DROPPED?
The bowler claimed one wicket in 26 overs across two innings and lacks the pace and variety to trouble the hosts’ top batsmen.
Ball has faced calls to be dropped across the board and there has been talk that England could select Crane for the day-nighter in south Australia, especially on a track that could offer a bit more for the spinners.
Without the pace of Stokes or indeed someone like Mark Wood, England’s options when it comes to fast bowling are pretty bare with just the inexperience of Tom Curran and Craig Overton sitting in reserve.
Ball didn’t offer much with ball and bat.
