Well, Australia have assumed control in this Test, coming earlier than it did at Brisbane, just after our hopes were raised by the predictable dismissal of Handscomb with the new ball.
A most frustrating day to watch as an England fan, the gap in quality between Anderson/Broad and the rest of the attack is absolutely vast and makes it virtually impossible to build any pressure other than when those two are bowling in tandem (barring Jimmy’s terrible first couple of overs). Both, I felt, were unlucky today, Anderson in particular, who’s figures don’t do him any justice.
Woakes has not stepped up this series so far and I thought/hoped he would do so much better, it’s difficult for Overton on debut but his gentle away swingers were comfortably negotiated on the whole when he’s bowling in the late 70’s! Difference is the Aussies are got as much out of the pitch/conditions but it’s all happening 10mph quicker!!
Credit to the Aussies for how they batted today, Marsh was unflappable throughout and accumulated impressively, barring a couple of LBW shouts we didn’t look like we had any idea how to get him out. Paine counter attacked very well and Cummins did a good job again.
Our batsmen have a much tougher ask to get anywhere near parity, unlike the Aussies we don’t have the luxury of seeing off the two main bowlers than tucking into the rest, we still have Cummins and Lyon to contend with. Really hoping our batsmen turn up tomorrow to keep/get us competitive in this game.