Mitchell Starc has perhaps done his best in the Ashes 2015 © Getty Images
Australia finally showed some intent on the second morning of the fourth Ashes 2015 Test, when they eked out four English batsmen with 60 more runs added to the overnight lead of 214. Mitchell Starc led Australia’s bowling attack despite looking sapped towards the end of the first day and returned figures of 6 for 111. While Starc impressed with his skills, his partners Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood looked lame, directionless and aimless. Devarchit Varma throws light on yet another shortcoming which has played a huge role in the downfall of the Australians.
It is a well-known fact that bowlers hunt in packs, and when that happens, teams win matches. With poor bowling attacks, teams can still win in limited-overs cricket if batsmen pull it through. But there is no escaping in Test cricket — you cannot win unless you take 20 wickets in five days. England have showed they can do that even without their spearhead James Anderson. But Australia have slipped so much that there are no traces left of the effect they created on England in their last meeting. ALSO READ: England declare at 391/9, lead Australia by 331 despite Mitchell Starc’s 6 wickets in 4th Ashes 2015 Test
The lack of control, discipline, and character shown by the Australian bowlers is one of the prime reasons they are on the brink of surrendering The Ashes to England. At Lord’s they were able to bowl their side to win because the opposition was already under immense pressure of the runs Australia had garnered. But every other time in Ashes 2015, whenever the tourists have needed their men to step up, they have disappointed.
Ashes 2015 will be remembered as a series that served a massive disappointment to those in the Australian camp. To see an immensely potent attack falter on tracks that have assisted bowlers whenever they have applied themselves is certainly disheartening, especially when the firepower in the ranks remains largely the same. Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle are still there in the Australian camp, and Craig McDermott remains the bowling coach. ALSO READ: Mitchell Starc takes 5 as England bowled out for 430 against Australia on Day Two of 1st Ashes Test at Cardiff
There are no surprises to see Mitchell Johnson struggle. It would have been daft to expect the same impact he had on England in his backyard two years ago. Johnson’s struggling on flat decks, like his team, is well-documented. But no explanation can be given to why he remained erratic throughout the four Tests, why he fizzled out in a manner which was never expected despite occasional sparks of brilliance.
Johnson deserves full credit for taking flak every single day from inebriated England fans and not succumbing to any of it, but Australia needed more from him. He looked fit physically, but somewhere the mental part was not sorted out that would have helped Johnson to turn into the menacing monster that he can be.
Mitchell Starc is 25-years-old. He may be playing his second Ashes, but his fitness and skill in the longest format attract serious questions. Like Johnson, Starc has been brilliant in passages, but these phases were invariably followed by mediocrity. In fact, looking at how things have panned out for Australia, the word ‘mediocre’ is not enough. Starc has a long road to travel; he certainly needs guidance and support from the senior mates.
Josh Hazlewood is playing only his third full series. He has been more disciplined than the other two, but has paid price for not being aggressive and smart. There have been innumerable occasions in this series when he has let the opposition off the hook with some ordinary bowling.
Hazlewood has suffered because of not attacking the wickets and instead sticking to traditional bowling lines. On good days that would have helped him, provided he had equal support from the other end. It certainly did not help him here.
It will be unfair to be extremely critical of these three. If they have not done justice to their talents, they certainly have shown more character with the bat throughout the series. Australian batsmen should be indebted to the troika of Starc, Johnson and Hazlewood for bailing them out as one batting collapse after another followed.
Unfortunately, this is not what Australia wanted. This is not what Australia toured to England for.
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)