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| Unorthodox - The Pietersen technique... KP's 50 was part of a better showing for England - © Nic Redhead |
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contains 500+ words of despair is becoming more and more difficult every day.
Day four was better for England, but only relatively speaking.
Before this, their fourth innings of the series, England
have failed to make 200, so finishing the day on 247-6 is an improvement, and
there were individual positives to be found.
However, for all the improvements that can be seen in this
innings, the pitch is still flat, and there was never any sense that England
might come close to the mammoth total Australia compiled over the first two
days.
With the threat of showers on day four and five, Michael
Clarke had no hesitation in declaring before the start of play and setting
England the challenge of scoring 531 runs to level the series.
Captain Alastair Cook, who has struggled this year against
Australia, lasted only seven balls and the tone was set for another
disappointing day.
The dismissal was a simple one, and because of that all the
more miserable. Johnson banged in a short ball in his first over and Cook took
on a hook shot he was never in control of that found Ryan Harris at fine leg.
If falling for the trap once was bad, step forward Michael
Carberry to compound things…
Peter Siddle’s bouncer wasn’t as fast or high, and Carberry
had much more time to play the shot, but the result was the same.
Nathan Lyon was the fielder this time, but it was suddenly
20/2 and there was a danger that England could fail to take the Test into the
fifth day again.
From this point onwards the morning session was England’s,
but to revisit a phrase that epitomises this series, the damage was already
done.
Kevin Pietersen joined Joe Root at the crease, and England’s
most flamboyant player and England’s most smiley player both made half
centuries as they took part in the tourists’ first century stand of the series.
Root was compact and watchful, and Pietersen, though
relatively reserved, found time to bully Steve Smith in a reflection that he
may be finding some form.
When Pietersen’s wicket fell, it was once again due to the
flexibility of Michael Clarke’s captaincy. Having given Mitchell Johnson the
chance to prise out a wicket with sheer pace, Clarke changed tack and gave
Shane Watson and Peter Siddle the task of building pressure.
After three successive maidens Pietersen dragged on for 53
and Australia had the momentum once again.
In the internal competition building within the England team
for worst dismissal of the series, Ian Bell made his case.
Charging Steve Smith and miss-hitting a full-toss to mid-on
is a terrible way to get out in any scenario, but batting against a part-time
bowler as you attempt to save a Test match makes this all the more horrifying.
If Bell’s wicket confirmed another successful session for
Australia right on the stroke of tea, the final session of the day took shape
quicker.
There was some resistance from Ben Stokes who made 28, but
Joe Root falling for 87 was the key wicket and despite a late rally from the
hopelessly out of form Matt Prior and Stuart Broad, Australia will be rightly
pleased with their day.
Session score: 3-0 to Australia – 10-2 overall
Verdict: England were better, but it’s still not good
enough. With two wickets lost in each session Australia are doing enough, with
plenty to spare. Even with rain around, it would take something unbelievable to
save this Test match, because 247-6 is England’s best score of the series, and
even with the improvements, there are still key issues regarding longevity at
the crease and suspect dismissals.
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