Michael Atherton says “It looked like they were playing the game behind” for the second time in the series

Former England captain Michael Atherton has blasted the tourists’ selection for the second Ashes Test in Adelaide. According to Atherton, England’s team combination was bad on the opening day of the pink ball Test.

England’s bowling unit was modified for the day-night Test, with frontline spinner Jack Leach, who played the first Test at the Gabba, being dropped. Instead, they went for a full-throttle onslaught. The strategy, however, failed, and Australia finished the day with a dominant 221-2 lead.

Atherton claimed that England misunderstood the pitch in his Times piece. For the second time in the series, the foreigners got their bowling combination wrong, according to the 53-year-old, who said:

“England are not doing much right now that makes cricketing sense and this selection looked counter-intuitive. On a green pitch under gloomy skies in Brisbane, England had chosen a varied and balanced attack; now, under piercing blue skies and on a dry, biscuit-coloured pitch, that variety and balance was lacking.”

“Some say England always seem to be thinking about the game but one in front of them; here, it looked like they were playing the game behind.”

Apart from Leach, England also lost Mark Wood to make room for Stuart Broad and James Anderson. The former was awarded his 150th cap in a Test match.

Ben Stokes

“As a result, Ben Stokes was utilised for lengthy periods in the kind of assertive role that would have been taken by Wood, using fields more reminiscent of Bodyline, nearly 80 years ago.” he said

On day one, Marnus Labuschagne (95*) and David Warner (95) placed Australia in front. Labuschagne, who was granted two reprieves, will bat again on day two, aiming for his sixth Test century. After a tense first hour from England, he and Warner combined 172 runs to save the hosts.

Although Warner and Labuschagne battled at first, Atherton believes England were ineffective with the ball.

“No matter the tactics and strategy, it is wickets that count, and England took only two of them. It must be said that it was far from straightforward for Warner and Labuschagne for long periods initially.” he said

“The partnership calmed the Australian dressing room after what must have been a frenetic few hours in the morning.” he added

On day two, England will be desperate to disrupt the alliance formed by Labuschagne and Smith. The tourists could be playing catch-up in the game if the duo bats for another session.

Read more: Sourav Ganguly says “When he gets to South Africa, he will be put to the greatest challenge”

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