Mark Taylor. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Openers Zak Crawley (48) and Ben Duckett (98) gave a perfect start to England on Day 2 of the second Ashes Test but the team failed to keep up with the momentum as they lost six wickets in just 47 runs on the following day. Reacting to the same, former cricketer Mark Taylor stated that England’s batting will definitely be questioned as the home side posted 325 on a pitch which has favoured the batters so far.
Notably, the Ben Stokes-led side was expected to dominate Australia as they lost their premier spinner Nathan Lyon to a calf injury. However, Mitchell Starc dismissed Ben Stokes in the first over of Day 3 to shift the game in Australia’s favour. Taylor also pointed out that four to five English batters got out in a similar fashion and thus, he expects the team to face the heat.
“I think something like four or five of the top six got out with the pull shot or the hook shot. Yesterday (Day 2), when Nathan Lyon went off the ground, England at one stage were 188/1. They lost 3 for 34 with Lyon off the field. So there will be a lot of focus on that part of the game,” Taylor stated during an interaction on ‘Wide World of Sports’.
“Then again today, no Lyon here today, a 61-overs-old ball when we came to the ground, and Australia under a bit of pressure, to lose 6 for 47, there will be questions asked for sure,” he added.
It turned out to be a great morning for Australia: Mark Taylor
Analysing England’s batting collapse, Taylor stated that Stokes’ wicket gave the visiting team a much-needed boost. He also highlighted the way Jonny Bairstow got out and added that Travis Head’s double strike with the ball to dismiss Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson in the same over helped Australia turn the tables.
“As it turned out, they got wickets early on. Ben Stokes – second ball of the day but his first ball, great catch by Cameron Green at second slip, Mitchell Starc picking him up, that got Australia going. Jonny Bairstow – strange shot after drinks, caught at mid-on and then even Travis Head, two late wickets to mop up that tail, and all of a sudden it turned out to be a great morning for Australia,” Taylor added.