England top the 'positives' count after Brisbane draw
While the first Test at Brisbane fizzled out into a tame draw with batsmen from both sides cashing in, there can be no doubting the statement of intent set out by England's trio of second-innings centurions and this was reflected in the English press
Liam Brickhill
25-Feb-2013
While the first Test at Brisbane fizzled out into a tame draw with batsmen from both sides cashing in, there can be no doubting the statement of intent set out by England's trio of second-innings centurions and this was reflected in the English press. Vic Marks put forward a compelling case for the psychological points scored by the visitors in The Guardian.
To endure a hat-trick, a triple century partnership and still finish the Test with a few men huddled around the Australian batsmen, snarling away without looking too silly, suggests that the tourists finished with the psychological ascendancy. But the cricket itself has offered more concrete confirmation that England will head for Adelaide in a more cheerful frame of mind.
After Australia had endured a long day in the field on Sunday, Nasser Hussain suggested in The Daily Mail that, despite Peter Siddle's first-innings hat-trick, the first Test offered a harsh reality check to Ricky Ponting about the quality of his bowling attack.
For years the Aussies lectured us about the special powers of the baggy green, but my feeling was always that any special powers they had were more to do with Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. Would Australia's performance with the ball here on day four have been any different if Steve Waugh or Mark Taylor had been in charge? I don't think so. And the reason - regardless of the outcome of this game - is that this attack lack that extra bit of magic when the pitch is flat and the ball is old.
In The Telegraph, Steve James suggested that Australia would be a damaged side after enduring "two days of absolute humiliation in the field", while in the same newspaper Alan Tyers took the opportunity to offer a few tongue-in-cheek answers to the question 'What's wrong with Mitchell Johnson?'
Did not want to take wickets and hasten the end of the match; as paid by the day and saving up for new Xbox.
Did not want to steal limelight from team's major bowling threat, Marcus North.
New tattoo causing great pain: both physical (done by Shane Watson with penknife and linseed oil) and emotional (authentic Aboriginal message does not mean “Love And Harmony”; in fact translates as “Wayward dingo must be killed”)
The Australian papers are filled with questions over Johnson’s place in the Test side. In the Daily Telegraph, Peter Badel says it is up to Ricky Ponting to do what he did with Andrew Symonds and Marcus North and revitalise his career.
Buoyed by Ponting's support, Symonds helped Australia win the 2003 World Cup. He backed Marcus North to the hilt on the eve of the New Zealand tour in March, spending hours with him in the nets and publicly declaring his spot was safe. North responded with the century that kept alive his Test career. Now Ponting shapes as the man who must help revitalise Johnson, the boom-or-bust quick who is no longer the automatic selection he appeared after terrorising South Africa two summers ago.
Peter Roebuck’s verdict after the first Test is that Ponting’s hopes of winning the Ashes are fading. Australia’s worst fears and England's highest hopes have been confirmed, he writes in the Sydney Morning Herald
England's rally at the Gabba was as telling as Australia's inability to press home its advantage. Over the years this ground has taken no prisoners. Australia has been able to impose itself on all comers. Now England, or at any rate a team bearing that name, can leave Brisbane not only intact but with conviction.
Andrew Strauss’ innings is heralded as one of “cricketing brilliance and tough-guy belligerence” by Simon Barnes in the Australian
There are few people in world sport more exposed than an England cricket captain in Australia. Strauss knew this when he went out to bat in the first innings. He wanted to show Australia that he was a damn good cricketer. He also wanted to show them that he was hard as bloody nails as well. Tough, unyielding - all the things that England cricketers are supposed not to be.
Liam Brickhill is a freelance journalist based in Cape Town