by is following a very similar pattern to the last few. Australia thrash
England pretty comfortably in the first few tests, mainly due to England's
inconsistency, and Australia's solidity, and then England put it all
together for a session, while Australia crumble and throw away a test
chasing a smallish total. In this case it was our own fault, because we sent
England in, but still, its all going very much the same way. Edgbaston 1997
is the only blip in this sequence. The only time in the last 10 years
England have won batting second. The only time Australia has really been
thrashed. Now we have "if England can square the series in Sydney, then...."
Hang on. England have to square the series in Sydney first. I think that is
going to be a much bigger task than winning in Melbourne was. I've heard all
this before. After Adelaide last tour, it was exactly the same. England
played red hot for a session or two, Australia folded under pressure, and we
went to Perth with the series alive, and England dropped as many as they
caught, and Australia won by over 300 runs. England still haven't shaken
this inconsistent thing. Jeez, if I was an England supporter, I wouldn't
have any hair left, as I would have pulled it all out in frustration years
ago. How can a team play so hot like that, and then play like bunnies the
next day?
Australia will be out for revenge in Sydney, and England will have a huge
task to make it 2-2. I know where my money is going. Oh, and if Mark Taylor
makes it 5 out of 5, somehow I don't think he'll be asking England to bat!
Jonty.