Ashes 2015: Australia batsmen like 'rabbits in headlights', says Tom Moody
'Johnson has not been backed up by fellow seamers'
Thursday 30 July 2015 22:36, UK
Tom Moody says too many Australia batsmen have been like “rabbits caught in the headlights” during the third Investec Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
The Baggy Greens are set for a crushing defeat in Birmingham, having registered just 16 in their first innings and closing their second on day two on 168-7, a lead of just 23.
Chris Rogers battled his way to 52 in Australia’s opening knock, while David Warner smoked a dashing 77 from 62 balls in his second dig with wickets tumbling around him.
"It looks to me like no-one is applying themselves or is prepared to fight out tough periods of play."
Peter Nevill’s unbeaten 37 is the tourists’ next highest score, though, and former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody gave a frank appraisal of the side’s effort with the blade on Sky Sports’ Verdict programme.
“It looks to me like no-one is applying themselves or is prepared to fight out tough periods of play,” said Moody, after Australia were left shell-shocked by Steve Finn’s five-wicket burst on Thursday.
“Warner played his natural way but the rest of the team are either struggling for form or are like rabbits in the headlights against the moving ball.
“More often than not in Test cricket you have to ‘guts out’ hours or sessions but it was only when Nevill came to the crease that you saw that resistance and someone saying: ‘I’m going to hold tight and get to the end of the day’.”
“However, you never want to close a game until the last ball is bowled and if Australia do manage to put on 100-plus score, we have seen from Test matches in the past that scoreboard pressure can make teams wobble.”
Mitchell Johnson has been a rare bright spot for Australia at Edgbaston and Moody was quick to salute the left-arm dangerman after he became just the fifth Baggy Green to pass 300 Test wickets during a scintillating opening over that saw him dismiss Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes.
However, The Verdict pundit reckons Johnson has been let down by his pace cohorts, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, as Australia face up to the prospect of going 2-1 down in the five-match series.
“Johnson has been in a dark place on many occasions in his career but in many ways his toe injury a few years ago did him a favour,” added Moody.
“It enabled him to reflect in his career and where he was personally and he came back with renewed energy, hope and belief, perhaps the most important thing for any sportsman.
“The problem for Australia in this game is that after Johnson opened both the back and front door with that brilliant first over, he wasn’t supported.
"Hazlewood has gone missing on a pitch that should be perfectly suited to him, what with the bit of seam movement.”
“What you need is a bowling attack hunting in packs but Johnson was the only one that was armed and ready to go.
"Starc has been poor in this Test and Hazlewood has gone missing on a pitch that should be perfectly suited to him, what with the bit of seam movement.”
Can Australia pull of a remarkable victory at Edgbaston or will England ease their way to a series lead? Find out from 10am on Friday on Sky Sports’ Ashes channel.
You can also watch the third Test with a NOW TV Sports Day Pass. Plus, our Ashes Events Centre - the best of Sky Cricket's analysis at your fingertips - is available on our iPad app.
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