England v Australia, 1st Test, Day 1 and 2 - England have been the confident team so far

I think the Australian bowlers erred, their line and length on day 1

Joe Root’s counterattack, the 153-run partnership for the fourth wicket and Moeen Ali’s fluent-and-lazy-elegance helped England to shine brightly. With due respect to Joe Root and Gary Ballance, I think that the Australian bowlers’ line-and-length was not correct during that instrumental partnership. Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Jos Hazlehood bowled too full on the middle-and-leg line more often and while bowling outside the off, the length was the same.

On slowish tracks, this length is not ideal and that middle-and-leg line of attack proves easier for the batters to execute strokes. In my opinion, length should be around goodish length and back-of-a-length. Bolwing afuller length on the middle-and-leg stump line is good while bowling the yorkers, but that must start as a full-toss and end at the base of the stumps.

England’s plan reaped a rich harvest

The dismissal of Michael Clarke by Moeen Ali was a perfect example of creating pressure. While Moeen Ali was busy in varying his pace and flight, James Anderson at the other end kept things tight and suffocated the Australian batters by bowling three maidens in a row. This suffocation prompted Clarke to attack Ali and thus, got dismissed softly.

The dismissal of Adam Voges was the same. He was suffocated as well and suddenly Ben Stokes bowled a wide ball targeting the half-volley length, which was roughened up by the foot marks, created a slight bit of extra bounce or movement, invited Voges to have a go at it. Voges played the shot powerfully, but mistimed it and the ball went into the hands of James Anderson at shot-extra-cover. It was a well executed plan.

How to attack on slow tracks while pace bowlers are in operation

England kept the third and fourth slip a bit closer and first and second slip far while operating pacers. It was done against Nathan Lyon. But, it can be useful against top order batters as well. In the Test series against India, last year, Joe Root was seen fielding in the third slip wearing helmet.

If the pitch is on the slower side, the ball is a bit older and you are operating with pace bowlers then, keep the third slip and fourth slip a bit closer. On slowish tracks, most of the times, the edges which falls short of the slip cordon, lands on the third and fourth slip area and for which it’s better to keep them closer. The first and second slip should be kept far so that fast-and-pacey edges can be taken.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar