Calm needed in wake of crushing defeat

By Tom Mallows

The fact this test match was over in three days should at least give Strauss and his England side 48 extra hours to take stock and re-organise after such a heavy and bruising defeat.

Australia looked like the imperious side of old as they ruthlessly ripped through the England batting line-up and then mercilessly took the game away from them with the bat.

After having the better of the last two tests England were second best by a distance in this game, just as they were at Cardiff. But while we did not get too carried away with Lord’s, there should be no over reaction now.

Talk of wholesale changes in the line-up is, I feel, unnecessary. I don’t feel the gap between the two sides is as great as the past few days suggest - though credit has to go to the Aussies for outplaying England in every department. The now infamous ‘momentum’ is definitely with them.

If Flintoff is fit enough even to bowl in short bursts I think he should play. He inspires those around him and adds a bit of steel to what is looking like a fragile batting line-up. Harmison, who again failed to live up to the hype, should make way.

Ravi Bopara’s place is also under threat after successive failures in this series. But while it would be easy to put say, Rob Key, in his place, would that benefit long term?

The ECB has put faith in Bopara and I believe they need to keep faith with him for longer than a few tests. Playing with the spectre of being dropped will hinder rather than help - though he is running out of chances.

What is needed now is a return to basics. Australia pitched the ball up on day one, not a complicated tactic, yet England fell for it every time, with nearly every wicket coming from catches behind the wicket.

But instead of imitating their opponents England persisted with their short wayward line, allowing Watson and Ponting to blast the ball to all four corners of the stadium.

England have enough talent to beat Australia at the Oval and re-claim the Ashes if they return to the disciplined batting and bowling seen earlier in the series. However my fear is that the psychological damage inflicted during the Headingley horror show may prove terminal.

Make sure you keep on top of the Fifth Test odds before making your Fifth Test bet .