Just as Captain Ben Stokes and Will Jacks looked to be getting England back in the 2nd Ashes Test at the Gabba, Brisbane, a late-order collapse resulted in another defeat on Australia’s shores.
Where do they go from here?
The tourists began Day Four at 134-6 and still had a second-innings deficit of 43 to wipe out.
Stokes and Jacks gave England hope with their brilliant partnership of 94 from 36.3 overs, where the duo batted through the whole first session without losing a wicket.
However, a flying catch from Steve Smith to dismiss Jacks soon after, ended any resolve from England, as they lost the next three wickets for 17 runs.
Stokes Questions Team’s Mentality For Ashes
Following the defeat, the England Captain was left pondering his side’s mentality and inability to capitalise on moments of pressure, which ultimately cost them in both Tests thus far.
“Do we need to start thinking about what mentality we are taking into those pressure moments?” “When we are on top we are great and when behind the game we are also very good but when that moment is neck and neck we are not coming out on top on enough occasions.””A dressing room that I am captain of is not a place for weak men either.”
Stokes: BBC Sport
Perhaps this is where you need to look at your batsman, and ask if they are delivering want you want from them, becuase at the moment, that does not look like the case.
The bowlers did not have their best game, but they weren’t helped by the fielders, who dropped five catches in Australia’s first innings.
For any England or Australian cricketer, The Ashes is the absolute pinnacle of Test cricket.
If you want to prevail in a Series like this, you need to be mentally prepared as well as physically prepared for it.
It’s as simple as saying, ‘Right, what does the opposition not want me to do’, or ‘we’re in a good position, let me knuckle down and try and put the team in an even better position.”
Other than Stokes and Joe Root, who scored an unbeaten 138 in the first innings, none of England’s top order have done that so far in this Series, and that is the most concerning.
What is even more alarming is the fact that when England’s top order get themselves off to a decent start, as Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley did after losing Ben Duckett at 48-1, because of England’s style of play, they end up gifting their wickets to the opponents.
This does not help when you are trying to post competitive scores on the board.
When you play in places like Australia, first innings runs are crucial, as the pitches can sometimes get flatter and get easier to bat on.
Though 341 looked a decent score with Joe Root’s magnificent 138 not out, England still had to bowl and field well as a unit, which they failed to do, especially in the first innings.
The scoreline may not look like it, but England have been somewhat competitive in both games.
It has just been the second innings collapses that have cost them.
Look Ahead To the Third Test
Stokes’s side now has just over a week to prepare for a must-win third Test at the Adelaide Oval on 16th December. There are quite a few issues that need sorting out by then.
Having failing to conert his scores of 46, 33, 0, and 26 into something big, Pope’s place at number three could be uder threat, especially with Jacob Bethel waiting in the wings.
That may not be a bad idea, just to take Pope out of the firing line.
Despite the England Lions losing their Tour game Against Australia A, Bethel scored an impressive 71 in the fourth innings of the match.
And what about Josh Tongue?
Could he come in for Brydon Carse, who looked a bit weary after two back-to-back Tests?
These are the main issues that the England must resolve to stand any chance of getting back into this Series.
Can they bounce back, or is it too little too late?
Send us your thoughts on World In Sport.
