Brace yourselves – the authentic Australian team has shown up.
On Sunday afternoon, an energetic 20-minute stint saw Australia answer England’s Bazball aggression with their inherent fierceness after initially resorting to a softer approach. The gloom at Edgbaston seemed to awaken their usual ferocity.
In merely 22 deliveries, the dynamic visitors claimed two wickets, allowed just a single run, and repeatedly made passionate appeals.
“This is the Australian team I have been familiar with throughout my time observing Test cricket,” observed former England skipper Michael Vaughan.
Australia Makes Progressive Moves
After a delay due to rain, England continued their second innings at 26-0. However, within 20 minutes, they slipped to 28-2.
Australia found the conditions highly favorable, similar to England’s fortune on day two. With ominous dark clouds looming over Edgbaston, captain Pat Cummins sensed his opportunity.
The defensive formation from day one was abandoned. Instead, the field was filled with catchers – Cummins and fellow seamer Scott Boland posed a constant threat of a wicket with almost every delivery.
After just ten deliveries and one run, Ben Duckett was caught by the towering Cameron Green in the gully, having already been bested by Cummins earlier in the over.
In just three balls, Zak Crawley was caught out by Boland, leading to a triumphant roar from the Australians that is uniquely theirs.
There were four appeals for lbw and a review for caught behind off Joe Root, causing a significant stir among the English supporters.
“Before the rain, Australia’s performance was underwhelming,” Vaughan commented on BBC Test Match Special.
“However, post-rain, there’s been a noticeable shift in their attitude and field arrangements.
“The changing conditions and increased ball movement played a role, but it mostly comes down to their mentality.
“Australia’s message to the batters has shifted to ‘we are here to take you down, not just to create an open field for you to take easy singles’.”
Bowling Changes Leads to a ‘Different Game’
The rate of false shots from England spiked from 11% prior to the rain and 13% in the first innings, to a whopping 50% during the 20-minute interval.
Batting became notably more challenging. The average seam movement off the pitch in the 6.5-over span preceding the first rain break, saw an increase of roughly 50%, moving from 0.39 degrees to 0.59.
Throughout this, Australia demonstrated a clear intent, with Marnus Labuschagne’s appeals from extra cover reminiscent of an animated schoolboy.
“The game’s charm lies in adapting as the conditions alter, and Pat Cummins demonstrated his quick adaptability,” Michael Atherton, former England captain, noted on Sky Sports.
“Once he had the ball, he could sense the shift. Instantly, the field crowded, the catchers moved in, and the game had a different face.”
‘We Spotted an Opportunity’
Alex Carey, the wicketkeeper, attributed Australia’s shift in strategy to “reading the play”.
“There was a brief period tonight when conditions favoured the bowlers and the ball was swinging a bit,” he said.
“We also thought rain was imminent, so we were eager to keep bowling.”
Australia’s initial defensive approach, symbolized by placing fielders on the boundary in the first over, shifted on the third day to a more traditional arrangement of three slips, a gully, and a compact, ring field to prevent singles.
“We started with a spread-out field on Friday, which allowed England to score singles,” said Carey. “Our goal was to limit the boundaries, given England’s aggressive
