Run Rate
In 2005 England's improved run rate was the difference between the two teams and it is showing again here, England are at 3.54 and Australia at 3.16. It is key to England's plan of playing 4 bowlers that they restrict the opposition run rate, as it builds pressure and creates wickets. This is why Finn was dropped from the current test he is going at 4.32 which breaks the model. Bresnan came in to do a very specific job and went for 1.92, he also picked up the wickets of Hughes and Haddin who were both flashing at the ball with attempted scoring shots. Well done England!
Batting
England have 4 of the top 6 batters in the series so far by average score, only Hussey appears in the top 4 for Australia, and he is having an excellent series. England's tail are letting them down badly with no-one averaging over 20 outside the top 5. Collingwood is having a mare and may well be on his last tour for England, having said that he has the same average as Ponting, maybe it's time for both to go?
Records
Alistair Cook is nearing 5000 career runs and he's still in his fifth year of International cricket, that's a 1000 runs per year, pretty good for a 26 year old. With his latest knock Matt Prior has become England's third best wicket keeper of all time, behind Alec Stewart and Alan Knott. No batsmen on show in the Ashes are rated in the current top 10!
1 comment:
Alastair Cook has been a superstar during this series and should go on to captain England.
Tim Bresnan has well impressed me with the movement of the ball especially when I saw him ball in Melbourne.
Australian cricketers are playing like one day players and need to get back to basics. I actually think Phillip Hughes will make it as a test cricket despite David Lloyd saying he is only a 'dasher'. He is only 22 yrs old.
Regarding the batting. Yep - that is why the Ashes has been regained by England. Our two top batters in Ponting and Clarke has failed dismally.
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