Ashes 2013: 5th Test, Day 3 - Flops of the day

1. Alastair Cook (25 runs off 88 balls – 3 fours)

Alastair Cook of England walks out to bat during day three of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 23, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

When you are the captain of an international side as well as a front-line batsman, the least you can do is give your side a great start, and score runs at a fair clip.

Alastair Cook seems to have forgotten the latter role. In all five games of the on-going Investec Ashes series, he has only managed a top score of 62. The feet are nowhere near the pitch of the ball, and he has shown an increasing tendency to play away from the body.

In his brief innings, the skipper played some good shots – starting off proceedings with a nudge to the fine leg boundary off Starc, before executing a lovely pull shot off Faulkner. He also unveiled a beautiful square drive off Harris; for a few moments, it looked like he was returning to form.

Then he played away from the body to an angled delivery and edged it to Haddin behind the stumps. Just like that, Cook flattered to deceive once again. It is time for coach Andy Flower to knock some sense into his captain’s head.

2. Nathan Lyon (1/41 in 26 overs)

Nathan Lyon of Australia looks dejected as Jonathan Trott and Joe Root of England run between the wickets during day three of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 23, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

The 26-year old off-spinner extracted ample turn and bounce from the pitch, but managed just a solitary wicket for all his efforts. After teasing and tormenting the likes of Pietersen and Bell in the previous Test, much was expected of Lyon, but like the England captain, he, too, has failed to live up to expectations.

Lyon removed Joe Root when he got one to spin more than usual, and the batsman’s attempted sweep resulted in a top-edge to Watson. But after that, despite getting good purchase from the pitch, he was kept at bay by both Bell and Pietersen, and even by Trott to some extent.

Australia will look to their ‘tweaker’ to make early in-roads into the English middle-order. With able support from Steven Smith, Lyon should look to turn the tide of the game in his side’s favour on the morrow.

3. James Faulkner (0/29 in 12 overs)

James Faulkner of Australia bowls during day three of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 23, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

He seems to have forgotten that he is the fourth seamer in the side, providing reasonable support to seniors Harris and Siddle along with Starc. But Faulkner has been guilty of straying from his line at times – all the four Englishmen dispatched him to the fence at least once during their innings.

He bowled too full at times, and even his short deliveries on middle were put away – Cook’s pull easily being the shot of the day. As long as he re-works his bowling strategy quickly, he will be able to be a little more consistent.

4. Peter Siddle (0/46 in 21 overs)

Peter Siddle of Australia appeals for a wicket during day three of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 23, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

The Victorian fast bowler is also guilty of erring in line and length. Opener Joe Root got stuck into Siddle – five of his eleven boundaries came off the hapless pacer. Later in the day, Ian Bell also sent an attempted short delivery into the mid-wicket fence.

Siddle seems to be trying too hard to pick up wickets. He needs to relax and bowl accurately first up, and then make the ball talk. Not an impressive performance, old chap!