"I based my optimism on some of what I had seen over the summer. In the first innings against India at Lord's Joe Root and Ollie Pope put on 109 runs at almost exactly three an over, staying calm and building a foundation that eventually won their side the match. I watched that and admired the way they had refined their attitude, becoming more adaptable to the match situation, the surfaces they were playing on and the challenges presented by the opposition"
"Then they won the toss in Perth, chose to bat, came out and got absolutely mauled by Mitchell Starc. The emotional intelligence, the situational awareness, that impressed me at times over the summer was nowhere to be seen. Instead England, pumped up on adrenaline and the desire to put the bowlers under pressure, surrendered to their attacking instincts. To some degree I can understand it: on a pitch with pace, bounce and movement, a lot of players will feel the need to be proactive,"
England entered the Ashes with a potent group of fast bowlers and signs of improved batting adaptability. Strong performances against India, notably Joe Root and Ollie Pope's composed 109 at Lord's, indicated a calmer, situation-aware approach able to build match-winning foundations. That preparation promised resilience for Australian conditions. In Perth, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, England suffered a severe collapse against Mitchell Starc. The calm, situational awareness previously seen largely disappeared as players chased attacking instincts on a lively pitch, exposing technical and tactical vulnerabilities that require urgent correction.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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