Ashes 2013 1st Test: Five things Australia can take away

James Pattinson

1. Bowling Report Card

Even when the harshest critic of this Australia side put blood and dirt to the paper ahead of the series, he reserved some respect for the pace battery constituted by Siddle, Pattinson and Starc.

They did their job on the first day of the Test match sending a signal to anyone who thought that the Ashes was done and dusted. Siddle’s five-for was one of the high-points for Australia in this Test match but Starc and Pattinson were underwhelming. They seemed struck by nerves in the first few overs as they threw the ball wide-outside the off-stump wasting the generous swing that was available.

They worked harder in the second-innings but the pitch had eased out a little by then and was more suitable for batting. Siddle’s effort was top-quality and he will need to continue that whereas Pattinson and Starc need to go beyond odd-unplayable deliveries and occasional bursts. They need to learn and improve as the series goes on if Australia wish to make a fist of this series.