Impatient Australian batsmen played into England’s hands, says Darren Berry

Impatient Australian batsmen played into England’s hands, says Darren Berry
6 HOURS AGO AUGUST 05, 2015 3:55PM


Michael Clarke: the great Australian captain

THE Australian batting line up in the Edgbaston Test match was loose, undisciplined and, at times, erratic. And disaster followed.
Batting in English conditions against the Dukes ball is a tough assignment and a rock-solid technique is required to be successful.
Chris Rogers was the standout in this regard and was the only batsmen in the first innings who could hold his head high.

We extraordinarily handed the English first use of the ideal bowling conditions on Day 1 of the Test and with it we handed them the win.

Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad had been praying for overcast skies, grass on a firm wicket and erratic Australian batsmen. Sadly for us, they got all three and ran through us with nonchalant ease.

The question remains, why was Rogers successful and the others deplorable?
The conditions were tough but were certainly not unplayable.
After winning the toss and batting first we needed substance over style.
Techniques were tested and found wanting.

Big shots, flashing blades away from the body, hard hands, pushing at the seaming ball were all recipes for disaster.
The key element in England is to play the ball late. This method then allows seaming balls to pass through to the keeper and tires out impatient bowlers.

It also allows you a better picture of what exactly the ball is doing in the air and off the wicket.
In these swing bowler-friendly conditions you only have two choices.
You either come aggressively down the wicket — which is high risk but can occasionally be rewarding — to counteract the swinging ball or bat deep in the crease and wait patiently and courageously, the Rogers way.
Anything in between is dangerous.

The way we batted may have been a symptom of a disturbing trend in cricket.
For batsmen down the line from Test cricket, the Twenty20 style of batting has become more attractive than the grind of a patient, hardworking Sheffield Shield century.

Not all, but my recent experience tells me most state-level players would prefer a BBL deal than a state contract.
They all have managers these days and BBL contracting time is far more intense and volatile than the amicable discussions that generally surround state contracting periods.

Why not? The money on offer for six weeks’ work over the Christmas period is similar to that provided by a 10-month state contract.
Most state-level players have the luxury and comfort of both.
The rare few like Rogers that only have state-based commitments bat accordingly.

They have done the hard yards, crafted their game, have the ability to adapt to trying conditions and, for that reason, are the ones you want alongside you in the trenches when the going gets tough.
Without Jimmy Anderson on Thursday at Trent Bridge the Australian batsmen have a slight reprieve. They must adjust their games and take a leaf out of Rogers’ batting book when conditions are in the bowlers’ favour.

If we can’t adjust, then the Ashes will be gone and our disturbing form line over the last 14 years and three previous series losses in the UK will continue.