The Ashes 2013: What Clarke and Lehmann must do now

Back-to-back defeats in the first two games of a five-match series are enough to affect anyone’s focus. The fact that Australia look far from the world-beating side of a few years ago is extremely alarming.

They are, no doubt, in a rebuilding phase – new faces in the side, a new coach, etc. But the off-field drama that has pervaded the dressing room seems to have played havoc with team spirit and unity. As a result, Australia look a pale shadow of their former self when they take the field.

Michael Clarke and Darren Lehmann are already burdened with a lot of responsibilities, and the Mickey Arthur saga has just compounded the misery. There are quite a few things that need to be sorted out, and it’s going to take all of their combined experience to pull the struggling side out of the depths of despair.

1. Bring focus and intensity back to training

During his playing days, Lehmann wasn’t fond of modern dietary regimes and spending long hours in the fitness centre. But with the entire squad struggling to even stay out in the middle for longer periods, he might have to re-think that.

He was part of two World Cup-winning squads, and he knows the kind of focus and intensity that characterized the Men in Yellow then.

For starters, he and Clarke will have to re-build and instill confidence in the physically and emotionally drained batsmen. That will go a long way in restoring their focus and ability to bat for longer periods.

Secondly, both men will need to make the boys step out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves. Confidence brings focus, focus leads to intensity – that should take care of the mental make-up part.

2. Iron out the technical flaws in batting

Chris Rogers got out on a full toss from Graeme Swann

A look at the way the Aussie batsmen have been dismissed would have shown both the captain and the coach the kind of flaws that have crept into their techniques.

Most of them got out playing the leg-side flick, including Clarke. Some of them offered no stroke to the straighter delivery from Graeme Swann, and were trapped in front of the wicket.

Since Lehmann was a good player of spin, his expertise would help the southpaws – particularly Chris Rogers, who had a torrid time against Swann in the previous game.

Another flaw was the inability of the batsmen to play the full toss. Swann picked up a couple of wickets with those rubbish deliveries, and Lehmann would do well to have Nathan Lyon bowl to the willow exponents in the nets as preparation.

3. Play with more freedom

Shane Watson’s revival is crucial for Australians’ hopes

Australian opener Shane Watson is known for playing his shots in order to get his side off to a flying start. He seems to have forgotten that playing his natural, aggressive game at the top would be a good way to help his side post a substantial total.

Lehmann and Clarke will have to get the blond all-rounder to return to his attacking game. Down the order, Clarke needs to hold the batting together with wicket-keeper Brad Haddin-hence, they will need to revert to their natural game of graft-and-attack. Both would do well to take a leaf out of Ian Bell‘s book in this regard.

4. Revamp the side for the next two games

With Pattinson out of the series, Jackson Bird could be given a chance

With seamer James Pattinson ruled out due to a painful stress fracture of the lower back, Australia’s cup of woes seems to have overflown. Since the current line-up has not made much of an impact, it may be wise to consider a slight revamp.

Jackson Bird could come in for Pattinson, given that he can swing the ball both ways and can thus trouble the English batsmen.

In terms of batting, Boof might consider bringing back David Warner to bolster the shaky unit. The southpaw, ideally, should open the innings with Watson, but if Rogers is retained, he can play at No.4, replacing the out-of-form Phil Hughes.

Whether Clarke and Lehmann decide to pack the side with more left-handers, especially with James Anderson and Graeme Swann in the opposition, is a decision best left to them. But to survive in the series, they might just have to do so.

5. The need to enjoy the game

This will be rather difficult to do, especially with all the off-field nonsense that has been plaguing the team in the wake of Mickey Arthur’s sacking and David Warner’s indiscretions.

But Australia’s cricketers are a smart bunch. Boof will need to emphasize the need to enjoy one’s game – because that creates a positive frame of mind and keeps the player focused.

In addition, the skipper could do with a bit of motivation himself; and who better to guide him than his old teammate.

There are plenty of areas for improvement for the Aussies as they go into the third game of the Ashes. If they manage to get these things right, we could very well see a repeat of the 1936-37 series when Don Bradman’s squad came back from 0-2 to take back the urn with a 3-2 scoreline.

Like most Australian fans, I’m also waiting for a turnaround of sorts. Over to Old Trafford now!