The Ashes: Archer and Broad prove Aussies – other than Smith – are just as fragile and flawed as England with the bat
JOFRA ARCHER and Stuart Broad gleefully proved there is a batting team almost as fragile and flawed as England.
Yes, this Australian line-up really is as likely as Joe Root’s men to form a procession back to the dressing room.
Jofra Archer got Cameron Bancroft LBW for his first Test wicket
Speedster Archer captured his first Test wicket on day three of the Second Test and Broad continued to examine the Aussie batsmen with forensic precision.
Chris Woakes also chipped in with a wicket.
Just 24.1 overs were possible before the rain arrived but that was sufficient time for England to take three more wickets.
Steve Smith was not dismissed, of course, but he inhabits a different batting planet from the rest.
So far this summer, England have been bowled out in a session by Ireland, routed for 146 in the First Test and collapsed to 138-6 in the Second Test.
For their part, the Aussies were 122-8 in their first innings at Edgbaston and are now 80-4 at Lord’s. They were able to recover in the First Test only because of Smith, and Jimmy Anderson’s absence through injury.
OK, Smith’s method is quirky, but he is brilliant at knowing his game, assessing the match situation, playing to his strengths and displaying limitless patience.
Other batsmen should look and learn from a man who averages more than 60 in Test cricket.
Such is the soft underbelly of both teams’ batting, a result is still possible even though almost two days’ play has been lost to the weather.
England have a lead of 178 and, with a decent forecast for today and tomorrow, might be able to put the Aussies in difficulty.
Archer’s first victim came when opener Cameron Bancroft was adjudged lbw. The Aussie reviewed but the ball-tracker upheld umpire Aleem Dar’s decision. It had taken Archer until just his 11th over to get off the mark.
He has the pace and bounce to trouble the best batsmen, plus a sprinkle of star quality. And he will enjoy bowling more when pitches are quicker than this.
Next over, Usman Khawaja was caught behind off Woakes as the Warwickshire all-rounder continued his love affair with Lord’s.
He has excelled with bat and ball at the Home of Cricket although he was roughed up by Pat Cummins’ short balls in England’s first innings.
Then Travis Head was plumb leg before to Broad. Dar gave the left-hander not out but DRS showed it would have struck two-thirds of the way up middle stump.
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With Anderson out, Broad has been superb so far in this series.
Ben Stokes thought he had a wicket when umpire Chris Gaffaney raised his finger.
But Matthew Wade reviewed and the ball had pitched outside leg stump, meaning it cannot be out.