Desperate England Looking For Ashes Miracle in Adelaide
Adelaide: England are on the ropes and ‘need a miracle’ Heading into the third Ashes Test in Adelaide on Wednesday, the ruthless Australia are boosted by the return of Pat Cummins as they look to wrap up the series.
The eight-wicket defeats in Perth and Brisbane mean England have completed 17 Tests since victory in Australia, dating back to their last series victory in 2010-11.
Likewise, a win for the home team will see the five-match encounter end in three Tests for the fourth consecutive series in Australia.
England great Geoffrey Boycott, who toured Australia four times, won two Ashes series and two other ties, sparked criticism of the team’s “irresponsible batting, bowling too short, too wide or too full, and dropping catches”.
“Somehow, after six days of Ashes cricket, England need a miracle,” he said in a column.
Coach Brendon McCullum has no regrets and said on Sunday: “We have a big chance in this Test match. We’re doing it and the narrative of the series is changing.”
Frustrated captain Ben Stokes criticized his team after Brisbane for collapsing in times of pressure and demanded they be tougher.
Former England captain Alastair Cook believes Stokes will read the riotous act that led to the must-win daytime encounter at the historic Adelaide Oval.
“Ben Stokes is the most competitive person I have ever faced,” Cook told TNT Sports.
“He doesn’t want to lose wink or table tennis matches and sees his side failing under pressure.
“I think for the first time in his captaincy career the players will be told some truth.”
The mountain Britain has to climb is huge.
Only once in history has a team won the Ashes from 2-0 down; until 1936-37, when Don Bradman-inspired Australia overcame the deficit.
England selectors may try to freshen up the team by airing the series.
Mark Wood is injured and fast bowler Josh Tongue could potentially replace Gus Atkinson.
McCullum said the top seven would remain unchanged, with under-fire Ollie Pope remaining in third.
Spin is likely to play a role and it is a toss-up between Shoaib Bashir and Will Jacks, who plays for Brisbane and looks good with the bat.
‘through your throat’
Australia will be reinforced by captain Cummins, who missed the first two Tests with a back injury and leads the attack alongside the outstanding Mitchell Starc.
Starc has already bagged 18 wickets.
Experienced spin king Nathan Lyon is also expected to play after being overlooked for Brisbane; Brendan Doggett and Scott Boland or Michael Neser are expected to move on.
The other big question is about the fit-again Usman Khawaja and will he reclaim his place as the opener or will Australia continue with the aggressive Travis Head alongside Jake Weatherald?
Chief selector George Bailey stated that he was open to Khawaja dropping the order. He could also be dismissed, potentially spelling the end of his 85-Test career.
Despite Australia gaining great momentum in bowling, Glenn McGrath warned them not to let their guard down.
“They are pushing England to their necks and they must not give up just because some of the big names are returning. They cannot remain complacent,” he said in a column.
“An Australian team should always think they can win every Test they play, so this team should be looking to win 5-0.”
Former Australia captain Tim Paine has warned that Adelaide, with its shorter boundaries and flat pitch, would suit England’s enthusiastic approach better than other venues.
“If there is any wicket and surface in the country that suits them better than this, I don’t think there is one – so this will be a fascinating Test match,” he told reporters.
