We've always known that both sides have a brittle batting order and this test just proves it. The aussies went to England with a game plan using Johnson to batter them.
In the first test the poms showed their mentality when it showed 4 groundsmen on their knees trimming the pitch with a brush and scissors each. Aussie batsmen never turned up.
The next test was another sub-continent wicket but our flat track bullies got their act together and the pommie batsmen fell apart.
The next two tests, the poms had typical English pitches in typical English conditions and our batters couldn't handle it. They had no idea how to play a ball that moves in the air AND off the pitch. Too many one day and T20 matches.
This test really opened my eyes when I saw our two openers on day one, play to these English conditions and were 0-19 after the first hour. Unheard of. The other batsmen reaped the reward of this opening stand.
Now after day 2, we see the real England again. In a complete mess. All too late of course but it just shows why we are the one day world champions and not the best in the test arena - yet.
Buck Rogers explained it well when he said that he learnt a long time ago to change styles depending on batting conditions. The young blokes need to learn this fast - but how? When they play less shield cricket and more bash cricket.
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