Saturday 18 July 2015 12:44, UK
England’s top order collapse on Day Two of the second Investec Ashes Test at Lord’s is nothing new because it’s a problem that hasn’t been addressed, says Bob Willis.
Australia’s fast bowling attack bludgeoned through England’s opening batsmen on Friday, opening up a 481 run lead ahead of Day Three on Saturday, with Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell and Joe Root dismissed early.
Sky Sports expert Willis insists top order capitulations have haunted England throughout 2015 going back to Tests in the Caribbean.
Bell was hoodwinked once again then the proud Yorkshire rose of Ballance, Root and Lyth – the thorns were blunt, the stem was wilted and all the petals fell off!
He said: “We saw it in the West Indies, didn’t we? There was a good win in Grenada, then back down to earth in Barbados. They won against New Zealand in fine style at Lord’s then capitulated at Headingley. It looks as if the same thing might happen here.
“The batting at the top of the order is the problem time and time and time again. This is a very good pitch. The Australians bowled very quickly and very well and we know how mentally tired players are after a couple of days in the field.
“Bell was hoodwinked once again then the proud Yorkshire rose of Ballance, Root and Lyth – the thorns were blunt, the stem was wilted and all the petals fell off!”
Alastair Cook, not out on 21 runs at the close of Friday’s play, escaped Willis’ criticism but the remainder of England’s top order has not performed well enough, he insists.
The former England international believes a failure to successfully experiment with a new opening batsman and Bell’s shaky form have resulted in Australia’s bowlers taking command of the second Test.
Willis said: “Apart from one shining exception, the factor that’s been in all of these collapses is the failures of Bell – that’s been the major problem.
“They’ve chopped and changed the openers, Jonathan Trott was ridiculously given that opportunity in the Carribbean and that’s where Lyth should have dipped his bread in the gravy and got settled in the side. They also should have found out about Adil Rashid on that tour.
“But those are the bad old days and this is the new England now. But it’s becoming a problem and you have to question No 1, No 3 and No 4 who haven’t consistently done it. There’s been the occasional good innings from Lyth, Ballance and Bell but it’s not been consistent enough by a country mile.”
