THE HEADMASTER
Local hero Travis Head wrests any lingering Ashes hopes away from ailing England
When Ben Stokes was bowled by Mitchell Starc for 83 in mid-morning today, he reacted as if he knew the Ashes were gone. He roared with anguish and frustration, and his body erupted in jerky convulsions as he realised his five hours of dedication at the crease had been in vain. England were still 97 behind Australia’s first innings with one wicket in hand, and he knew in his heart that he did not have the bowlers to stop Australia setting England a considerable target to win.
So it proved as local hero Travis Head helped himself to a fourth hundred at the Adelaide Oval and Australia closed on 271-4, with a lead of 356. No wonder he kissed the turf. This is dubbed the Christmas Test and the people of Adelaide will be in festive mood as two of their own have now made hundreds in this Test (and Alex Carey, 52 not out overnight, could very easily get his second of the match.) Celebrating Australia’s retention of the urn sometime on Sunday will crown five festive days.
It was a brave, almost bloody-minded effort from Stokes who struck only eight boundaries from the 198 balls he faced as he exhibited both an excellent technique and a steely resolve that had been once again lacking from his top order. Only once in this series so far has he – England’s no6 - been allowed the liberty to come in after the 30th over (in the first innings at the Gabba).
Twelve more runs were eked out by England’s last pair but it scarcely changed the picture. England’s eventual total of 286 was 150 short of what was required on this featherbed of a pitch which will offer significant help to Nathan Lyon and the other Aussie bowlers when England bat last.
Could the England bowlers, faced with a first innings deficit of 85, conjure up something to give their faithful supporters, enduring slightly less severe temperatures than on the second day, something to cheer. No, was the answer. Not after Brydon Carse’s early dismissal of Jake Weatherald anyway - which wasn’t out infact (pitching outside leg) but neither batsman thought to review it.
It was the only significant error Australia made all day. As in the first innings, the England bowling was not able to exert consistent pressure to force the batsmen into mistakes. Head camped himself on leg stump and carved and cut his way to 99, to be temporarily marooned as England brought the field up and the bowlers briefly found some control. It barely mattered that he lost partners along the way. England were powerless to stem his flow.
Head is awkward to bowl at, staying predominantly back and legside, but England’s attack lacks the pressure and intensity that the Australians are able to exert. Their lengths and lines are relentless. Jason Gillespie, who took 259 Test wickets in a 10 year Test career for Australia, explains why that may be below.
