Sydney, July 22 (ANI): Noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck does not believe the present Australian bowling attack can win a Test match in England.
In an article for the Sydney Morning Herald, he says that Australia first need to accept that Mitchell Johnson is not worth his place in a four-pronged attack.
"His inability to swing the ball into the right-handers has blunted his threat. He did produce one in-ducker at Lord's, and it surprised Matt Prior. Johnson's head was high and his hand was upright, with the fingers firmly behind the ball. Otherwise his action has been ragged....
History indicates that unless Johnson can rediscover the delivery, he will struggle to take wickets consistently in this country," says Roebuck.
He believes that Johnson should no longer be given the new ball, as England's openers - Andrew Strauss and Nick Cooke-have been made to look like their legendary predecessors Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe.
"Australia needs to exploit England's top-order frailty. Not even Peter Siddle has been at his best. He has probably been trying too hard to make up for his brother in arms. He has been mixing up his deliveries more than usual, and his accuracy has suffered. That Ben Hilfenhaus has been the pick of the seamers tells the tale," Roebuck says.
Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz has been the other reliable bowler, but according to Roebuck, he is not going to cause any sleepless nights in the England camp.
"Inevitably, changes will be considered. Australia have one week to invigorate their ailing Ashes campaign. Ricky Ponting's most pressing need is to find bowlers capable of taking 20 wickets at a reasonable cost," he concludes. (ANI)
In an article for the Sydney Morning Herald, he says that Australia first need to accept that Mitchell Johnson is not worth his place in a four-pronged attack.
"His inability to swing the ball into the right-handers has blunted his threat. He did produce one in-ducker at Lord's, and it surprised Matt Prior. Johnson's head was high and his hand was upright, with the fingers firmly behind the ball. Otherwise his action has been ragged....
History indicates that unless Johnson can rediscover the delivery, he will struggle to take wickets consistently in this country," says Roebuck.
He believes that Johnson should no longer be given the new ball, as England's openers - Andrew Strauss and Nick Cooke-have been made to look like their legendary predecessors Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe.
"Australia needs to exploit England's top-order frailty. Not even Peter Siddle has been at his best. He has probably been trying too hard to make up for his brother in arms. He has been mixing up his deliveries more than usual, and his accuracy has suffered. That Ben Hilfenhaus has been the pick of the seamers tells the tale," Roebuck says.
Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz has been the other reliable bowler, but according to Roebuck, he is not going to cause any sleepless nights in the England camp.
"Inevitably, changes will be considered. Australia have one week to invigorate their ailing Ashes campaign. Ricky Ponting's most pressing need is to find bowlers capable of taking 20 wickets at a reasonable cost," he concludes. (ANI)
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