You got stuffed, now show some spirit

13 April 2012

Well, I suppose it just about qualifies as an improvement. But, whether you lose by an innings or eight wickets, it's still a stuffing and England must get back to the drawing board pretty quickly.

When I was here last year, temporarily coaching Zimbabwe, England hammered us at Lord's and we said to the boys: "There are two ways you can go now. Either give up and cop another thrashing at Trent Bridge or think about the battle plan, stick to the basics and fight for all you're worth."

To their credit, the Zimbabwe lads went for the second option and almost won. I'm an Aussie and I want to see Australia stay on top this summer but I hope England come out fighting in Nottingham.

The first thing England must do is work out what they did right at Lord's - and there was enough to give them a bit of hope. Believe me.

Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie are the real threats to England's batsmen and if you can keep those two out that counts as a success. But they cannot bowl all day so more chances for runs will come once Brett Lee and Shane Warne take over.

Relatively speaking, of course! It is true, though, because Lee is still feeling his way back a bit after injury and Mark Ramprakash and Mark Butcher showed what can be done against Warne if you stick to your plan and have the technique to make it work. Ramprakash and Butcher frustrated Warne on Saturday afternoon by kicking away anything that couldn't win an lbw decision and punishing the odd loose ball.

They made Australia think for a while and we were treated to some competitive Test cricket.

All England need now is more of the same - about four-and-a-half days more of the same.

But at least Butcher and Ramprakash will walk out with a bit of confidence at Trent Bridge. It is up to their mates in the top order to follow the lead.

The batsmen who should be causing England most concern are Marcus Trescothick and Ian Ward. Australia seem to have worked out Trescothick, having done their homework during the one-day series.

As for Ward, you are always likely to struggle with a grip like his. He has a strong bottom hand so the face of the bat is closed. That makes him a big candidate to play on - as he's done this summer - and also to get caught in the slip cordon.

On the plus side, I thought Andy Caddick and Darren Gough did pretty well - especially as they had to get their wickets three times over with all those catches going down. There is nothing more frustrating for a fast bowler than to see some bloke nick you only for the chance to go to ground. And once is bad enough, never mind three or four times.

But England had precious little to hit Australia with after Caddick and Gough.

The selectors will know better than me what alternatives are available but they could do worse than recall Alan Mullally. He generally keeps it tight and, being a left-armer, offers a different angle of attack.

As for those dropped catches, I can only assume tension is to blame. But, whatever the reason, Australia in general - and Adam Gilchrist in particular - got away with murder at Lord's.

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You got stuffed, now show some spirit

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