5 reasons for Australia's turnaround in the Ashes

English bowling looked out of sorts

James Anderson

And that is an understatement. They did manage to sneak in sometimes, but there was always one or the other Aussie to come to the rescue. Smith salvaged the innings once when it was in near tatters, on another occasion there was Haddin. But even so, the English bowling attack looked alien, not having any vestiges from the attack that featured in the last Ashes. Last time around, an Aussie collapse in every other innings was a foregone conclusion.

Anderson, the leader of their bowling attack, has been ineffectual. He looked menacing in the second test, where the Aussies refused to enforce follow on. And that’s the end of it. It is surely the least that is expected from him.

Bresnan has been good in patches. Broad too. Arguably, that isn’t enough.

Prior to the commencement of the series, Ian Chappel had prophesied a struggling Swann. He did nothing to disappoint. And with Swann’s sudden decision to retire, things look even more downhill from here on.