Day two at Adelaide

Looks like we chose the wrong series to predict a nightmare for Alastair Cook.

In fairness, we weren’t the only ones who failed to foresee his transformation from the hapless klutz of the last two years into some kind of cross between Don Bradman and WG Grace.

Presumably, Cook is an avid Full Toss reader – and our criticism galvanised a resolve to prove us wrong. When he celebrated his century today, I’m sure I detected a little glint in his eye which said, ‘Up yours, Full Toss’.

That said, I still have a grudging suspicion that we’re actually watching his twin brother.

Cook was tremendous today – even better than at Brisbane. Two aspects of his innings were really striking. Firstly, it was utterly chanceless, so total was his control and acute his judgement. Secondly, the relentless way in which Cook accumulated runs – his appetite seemingly insatiable. Trott is similar in  intent, and this is just what England have sorely lacked for so long – batsmen who possess the desire and greediness required to compile the kind of ‘daddy’ innings which grinds the opposition out of the game.

Meanwhile, Strauss has come over all binary in this series so far. With scores of 0, 110, and 1, it will be interesting to see what the spreadbetting predicts for his next innings. 101? Strauss also seems to have acquired a strange phobia concerning the third ball of the day – which has claimed his wicket twice in three attempts.

As for Australia, what did you make of their revamped seam attack? The more eye-catching of the two new additions was Ryan Harris, who in physical terms appears to be the lovechild of Darren Gough and Tim Bresnan. The pitch neutered him today, but he looked as if he’d be quite a handful in spicier conditions. Bet you a fiver Harris ends up with a few wickets by the end of the series.

England’s next objective is fifteen more runs for Kevin Pietersen. Imagine how the confidence of a century could turbo-charge his game for the remaining three tests. And then, bat as big as possible.  The forecast is for rain; ideally we’ll only need to bat once.  On a pitch as flat as this, scoreboard pressure is our most likely wicket-taker. Let’s hope it stays dry, though. A draw here for Australia will feel to them like a victory.

England have won the last four days of this series, hands down. For the first time in a generation, we’ve put Australia under relentless pressure for session after session.  Logic and form suggests the imbalance cannot be maintained; the two sides are too similar in standard. But have we now secured a priceless psychological upper hand?

Thoughts?

Maxie Allen