Aussies wrap it up with ease

Australia secured a comprehensive win at Old Trafford with Glenn McGrath running through the lower half of the order, before Shane Warne pu...

Australia secured a comprehensive win at Old Trafford with Glenn McGrath running through the lower half of the order, before Shane Warne put the finishing touches to a match in which he held sway.

A score line of 1-1 after three Tests suggests the two teams are on parity, but, in reality, Australia are now in front in the series. England have some re-grouping to do and some selection worries. On the other hand, Australia have sorted out most of the problems that were afflicting them in the lead up to Edgbaston and only have the suitability of Michael Bevan at No 6 to worry about.

In saying that is the only selection problem, I am assuming the tour management will ignore Mark Taylor’s insecurity as an opener, because they did so long before the first Test century that it would be a complete back flip to now do otherwise. Taylor is still a long way from being in form and were it not for Steve Waugh’s obduracy and skill, particularly in the first innings, then the constant loss of an early wicket would be a more glaring problem than it is currently.

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Australia’s victory and Taylor’s sound judgement as captain, particularly at the toss, will save him, but I can’t see how the selectors can continue to overlook Bevan’s deficiencies.

While the two Ws, Waugh and Warne played the major roles, it would be unfair to overlook the work of Ian Healy. He had a tremendous match, keeping immaculately, including a marvellous leg-side stumping and an acrobatic diving catch to dismiss Ealham. In addition to his fine glove work, Healy contributed a fast 47 in the second innings when that was exactly what was required. That is the hallmark of Healy’s play; he delivers at the appropriate time. The stumping came when the game was in the balance.To complete a remarkable Australian revival since the first Test, Jason Gillespie bowled with fire and skill to give the attack a bit of extra bite. He and the fiery McGrath, who not only bowled well on the final morning but also struck a few psychological blows, can be an irrepressible pair in this form.

The England batting is now in a certain amount of disarray. Do they continue with Alec Steart at No 3? How can they revive the aggressive early season form of Nasser Hussain and Graham Thorpe? Is John Crawley, despite his defiant second innings resistance, good enough to make runs when they really count? For my money, Adam Hollioake must come into the side because of his aggressive, boyish enthusiasm and good cricket brain, which I think is a better long term proposition than the more staid Crawley.

So the Australians are on the rise and with a bit of commonsense at the selection table, they have the opportunity to improve further. There will be a certain amount of relief in the Australian camp that the series has been levelled and with their aggressive style of play they must feel confident that there is at least one more victory just around the corner.

SCOREBOARD

AUSTRALIA (1st innings): 235

ENGLAND (1st innings): 1621.8

AUSTRALIA (2nd innings): 395 for 8 decl

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ENGLAND (2nd innings): (overnight 130 for five) M Butcher c McGrath b Gillespie 28, M Atherton lbw Gillespie 21, A Stewart b Warne 1, N Hussain lbw Gillespie 1, G Thorpe c Healy b Warne 7, J Crawley hit wicket b McGrath 83, M Ealham c Healy b McGrath 9, R Croft c Reiffel b McGrath 7, D Gough b McGrath 6, A Caddick c Gillespie b Warne 17, D Headley not out 0, Extras: (14b, 4lb, 1nb, 1w) 20; Total: (all out in 73.4 overs) 200

Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-45, 3-50, 4-55, 5-84, 6-158, 7-170, 8-177, 9-188Bowling: McGrath 21-4-46-4, Gillespie 12-4-31-3, Reiffel 2-0-8-0 (1nb), Warne 30.4-8-63-3, Bevan 8-2-34-0 (1w)

Result: Australia won by 268 runs