England has been widely criticised for its “hubris” after a bizarre batting performance handed Australia a sizeable advantage on day three of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.
After beginning the day just 138 runs adrift of the tourists’ first innings score, England lost its last six wickets for 46 runs to be all out for 325, handing Australia a 91-run lead.
Despite having more advantageous bowling conditions to operate in, England was unable to enjoy the same success with the ball in Australia’s second innings, with the tourists ending day three on 2-130 with a lead of 221 runs as bad weather ended play midway through the final session.
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English youngster Harry Brook was heavily criticised for his dismissal early on day three after he was caught in the deep after stepping away and attempting to slap a short-pitched delivery from Mitchell Starc to the boundary.
“England clearly like losing,” former captain Michael Vaughan said in response to Brook’s wild shot.
“Seeing a player play a shot like that, it’s just not good enough at this level.”
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Vaughan was far from the only former England skipper to be left scratching his head at the 24-year-old’s approach.
“If England continues to bat like this there’s going to be a bumper barrage in the series,” Nasser Hussain said on commentary.
“There’s hardly been a duck. I mean, if you duck out of the way bowlers get tired banging it in. It takes a lot out of you to continually run in and bang it in half way down (the pitch).
“There’s got to be a time to attack and a time to defend. When it’s in your favour, attack, when there’s so many people back it’s just not in your percentages. You might get three away, but eventually one will go up in the air.”
Despite being England’s second batter to score a half-century in the innings, Brooks’ knock raised questions about his team’s approach as a whole.
“That intent is so embedded in the team now and England would be absolutely wrong to try and change that, but any Test cricket still needs to be smart cricket,” ex-skipper Andrew Strauss said on commentary.
All Wickets from England vs Australia on Day 3 of the Second Test
“Even with intent you still have to assess what the situation requires, adaptability is always crucial.
“I think if England are honest with themselves there have been moments in this Test match and probably at Edgbaston (in the first Test) where hubris maybe set in to a certain degree or ego came into it.
“When Australia are bowling short like that, yes England do want to be positive against it and not take a backward step, but sometimes the odds just aren’t in your favour.”
If England’s approach was reckless, Australia’s was anything but, as David Warner and Usman Khawaja showed terrific application to put on 63 for the first wicket before Warner fell for 25.
Second Test Day 3 Highlights
Australia’s approach frustrated England’s bowlers, particularly as a number of close shouts towards the umpire went unanswered in the final two sessions.
“It’s just not going for England,” ex-skipper Michael Atherton said on commentary.
“They’re paying the penalty for some reckless batting yesterday afternoon. The sun was out and they were 1-188 and Lyon was nowhere to be seen and they let Australia back into the game and they’re paying the price now.”
Khawaja (58 not out) will be joined by Steve Smith (six not out) when Australia returns to the wicket on day four looking to put the second Test, and potentially the Ashes urn, out of England’s grasp entirely.
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