The Boundary View: Tremlett's Sinatraesque Comeback - Perth, Day One

 
Brave call at toss pays off for Strauss

Andrew Strauss' brave call at the toss to insert Australia paid off in spades as England dominated again on the first day at the WACA. And it could have been worse too for Australia as had to recover from 69/5 before posting 268 all out. The recalled Chris Tremlett was the standout man in the attack, but all the bowlers chipped in with wickets even if James Anderson and Steve Finn were not at their best. Graeme Swann typically chipped in with a couple of wickets to emphasise once again his value to the side and provide further evidence why he should win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award on Sunday.

Tremlett's Sinatraesque Comeback

 We've been saying for ages at the Reverse Sweep that Tremlett deserved another chance at Test cricket after regaining form, confidence and fitness in his first season with Surrey. The way he set up Phil Hughes with a succession of short balls before bowling him with a fuller one in his first over demonstrated that he has the skill and nous to flourish at the highest level. Shane Warne has said that Tremlett could be the best bowler in the World if he puts his mind to it and on this showing...  

To play, or not to play?

That is the question at Perth where the extra bounce means that batsmen have to adapt in deciding which balls to leave. Australia's Captain and Vice-Captain both got it wrong by playing needlessly at balls outside off-stump to depart early. That said, Paul Collingwood's spectacular diving one-handed catch at third slip to dismiss Ponting was simply stunning. Those that question his place in the side forget the package he offers - an average over 40 and runs invariably in tight situations, a useful occasional bowler, trusted lieutenant in the field and England's best fielder.

Ponting gets something right

Back in July when Steve Smith scored a counterattacking 80 against Pakistan at Headingley, Ponting was adamant that Smith was not a test number six. Ponting hasn't got much right in this series, but the evidence of today suggests he was spot on. How Smith - at best a test number seven or eight that can bowl a few overs of leg-spin - could come in ahead of Brad Haddin is beyond belief.

Deja vu as Hussey and Haddin star again

Once again in this series Australia were indebted to Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin. Indeed, the contribution of the two has been extraordinary. At Brisbane, where the pair added 307, Hussey and Haddin accounted for 69% of Australia's first-innings of 481. At Adelaide it was 61% and today it was 43%. It would have been higher, but for Mitchell Johnson - proving that once he gets in he is a dangerous performer with the bat - and Peter Siddle ensuring that the Australian tail wagged.

Player of the day

We suggested yesterday that Chris Tremlett could put in a man of the match performance if he was picked for his first Test in over three years. Well, he's certainly made a good start mixing up his length well to take 3/63 on a pitch that was always going to suit him.

Zero of the day

With Hughes and Ponting back in the hutch early, Michael Clarke needed to put in a strong performance as vice-captain. So dangling your bat half-heartedly at one well outside off-stump was not what the doctor ordered. Clarke just doesn't look like captain material to us.

What happens next?

If England have another good day tomorrow then the prospect of retaining the Ashes by Christmas will be tantalisingly close. Australia went for broke with a four-man pace attack, but will it be a gamble that fails dismally? The pitch looks much better for batting than a total of 268 suggests.

Where next?

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes

Can England wrap up the urn by Christmas?

Exclusive: Read KP's 2010 Ashes Diary

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Comments

[greyblazer]

The stint at Surrey has helped Tremmers as someone seems to have told him that he has to mix up his length by bowling a few deliveries fuller.If he continues to hit the good length spot he would continue to take wickets as he gets awkward bounce from a good length.Jimmy Anderson was slightly below par in his first couple of spells but his spell after lunch was very good especially the one that beat Huss's edge was a great delivery.He came back well to take two more wickets. Finn has to improve his bouncer as at present it is innocuous.

There is tennis ball bounce though it should get better for batting tomorrow. To take wickets a bowler needs to be consistent as it isn't a green top but can Aussies do it? At present they bowl a few decent deliveries but can't maintain the pressure.The captain doesn't seem to have patience as he changes his field all the time. Even if openers get 50 runs on the board look out for Punter getting frustrated.

[AndyD]

After a generation of losing really badly - Im really enjoying this.

[The Reverse Sweep]

I think we all got a bit ahead of oursleves didnt we? Not a good day at the office for England

[The Reverse Sweep]

I dont think anyone expected what happened today on day 2 greyblazer. Once Cook gave his wicket away it was all a bit reminiscent of England batting collapses of the past. Bell apart, no-one seemed to have the nous or the technique to dig in - Trott looked all at sea and Prior looked like he didnt fancy it. Still this England team is resilient so all is not lost yet.