Johnson Dropped as Aussies Seek Winning Formula
Thursday, December 02, 2010 : The Ashes, Extras, England, Tests
Perhaps unsurprisingly Mitchell Johnson, the undoubted Aussie scapegoat of the first drawn test in Brisbane, has been dropped from the Australia team for the second test in Adelaide.
Those studying the Livescores down under believe that Dougie Bollinger is favourite to take his place as the other contender Ryan Harris has yet to reach peak match fitness following injury.
Johnson admits he is out of form and perhaps deserves to be dropped – figures of 0-170 were always going to leave his place in doubt.
He wasn’t alone though in struggling on the flat Gabba pitch. Part time spinner Marcus North was the only Australian to take a wicket in the second innings as England racked up 517 runs to not only save the test but take the psychological spoils as well. But the Australian press were merciless in their criticism of their team and Johnson in particular, so a change was always going to be made.
On what is expected to be another batsman’s track in Adelaide the toss may again be important. If England win and elect to bat Strauss will be keen to lead from the front and make up for a disappointing first innings display in Brisbane that could have cost England the test.
If England bowl first then they can take comfort from the fact they are capable of bowling Australia out on a decent wicket, as displayed in the first innings at the Gabba where despite a memorable innings by Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin, England then took five wickets for just 31 runs to stop the hosts from batting them completely out of the game.
The one player in the England ranks who is keen to improve is Greame Swann. The England off-spinner had a quiet match at the Gabba, having trouble with his length and struggling to cope with the aggressive tactics employed by the Australian batsmen.
The groundsman at the Adelaide Oval is convinced the pitch will take turn on day three onwards, meaning Swann’s moment in the sun is yet to come. The Latest Ashes scores should be closely followed in the second half of the watch to view Swann’s impact. That is for sure.
A memorable first test, for a whole host of reasons, has really set this series up nicely. The stage is now set for the two sides to do it all again in Adelaide.
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