Well this weather effected match has gone, but its short life has left many questions for England to ponder. Firstly the worrying inability of batsmen with the concentration and patience to play the five day game. The slow bowler role and the most effective way to utilise arguably the most exciting quick bowler we’ve had since Frank Tyson. We saw yesterday a better performance with the bat from England, Root apart who again was awful. Both Buttler (a dasher) and Bairstow exercised more restraint and patience in a tricky two speed innings. First aim to secure the match could not be lost and to then accumulate runs quickly in attempting to bowl out Australia in 50 or so overs. I thought they handled both objectives well. Perhaps we could have used Jack Leach as an opener and let Roy loose to attack at say number 5? Not that it would have made much difference as the shadows grew longer and the overs declined. A ’Winning’ draw was a moral booster though.
With the ball Archer again was supreme, I repeat his quick arm, with a high action from a tall man is a real problem for even the absolute best on any wicket. You can’t come forward because of his lift and going back (which most Aussies do as an initial instinct) is fraught with danger from the occasional flyers he looses from no apparent action change. Don’t forget the home of cricket has a height difference of over 8ft from one side of the field to the other, a North to South slope. Great Middlesex quicks like Moss, Daniel and Price used the so called ‘ridge’ on the table well over many years. Archer showed us yesterday how his combinative action skills at ‘Headquarters’ rendered the ball into a jumping keepers gloves from off a length! He generates all this power from a slender frame and a run of only 10 paces. His spells yesterday were truly intimidatory, searing pace and bounce, reminding me of the days of menace from Croft, Marshall, Daniel, Holding and Roberts. We however only have him in this role and Root (hopefully closely instructed) seems to have declined the temptation to overbowl him thank goodness. Jack Leach did well I thought, nice delivery loop and he can tweek it as well. He must be persevered with, he’s a far more dependable all round player than the enigmatic Moeen Ali, who could still appear in the carnival, limited over bang, bang, abang stuff.
The ‘concussion’ stand in Marnus Labuschagne performed with maturity and skill in a most difficult theatre. He was definitely not out, a clear grounded ball before Root got fingers underneath same. He was unlucky to get this poor adjudication after withstanding Archer with great aplomb and physical courage. They must retain him.
I’ve left the stupendous Ben Stokes till last. What a performance. Physical and mental strength, allied to natural self confidence are these days tempered by a resolute defensive technique. He’s learnt to be patient, wait for the loose ball and hit it hard. Those two lofted drives for six were wonderful, what a talent he is to behold. Denly’s amazing catch too, simply stupendous. Lets hope after having done all the hard work getting ‘in’ on both occasions this Test, he can hold his concentration together and not relapse into the one day slash shots that have been his undoing in the past. Sadly I don’t believe Root can lead by example, or discipline and just seems to be ‘one of the lads’. Have no doubt he’s no Michael Vaughan.
Leeds a place of swift weather change and scurrying Pennines clouds garners great conditions for swing bowlers. Both side will be dangerous to the batters, it could depend on who gets the sunshine? Lets hope if the selectors return Anderson here, they make doubly sure that at 37 he’s fully match fit don’t drop Archer! Personally I’d retire him now, but I fear the faceless ones want his name behind six hundred wickets (575 to date) in gold letters on the board in the Long room at NW8.
Finally lets all live in the expectation that Steve Smith’s head blow trauma is over and his non inclusion for Leeds is only ultra precautionary. A sickening direct blow to the upper neck and lower skull ridge he has my complete sympathy and most sincere good wish’s for a swift and complete recovery.