‘What’s being coached?’ – England batting questioned after more Bazball woes
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Justin Langer has questioned the training methods throughout the English cricket system after they produced another poor batting performance in the NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes.
Ben Stokes’ side got themselves into a good position in Adelaide after dismissing the hosts for 371 runs in their first innings.
However, England then crumbled with the bat once again as they ended the day on 213-8.
They will begin Day 3 158 runs adrift of Australia and staring down the barrel of a series defeat with two Tests still to play.
Opener Zak Crawley fell for just nine runs, while Ollie Pope was dismissed by the returning Nathan Lyon for three.
Although Jamie Smith was the victim of more Snicko drama when he was given out despite inconclusive replays, Ben Duckett (29), Joe Root (19) and Will Jacks (6) all fell far too soon.
Highlights: England batsmen wilt again as Ashes comeback dream fades on Day 2
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Harry Brook made 45 before being caught behind, while captain Ben Stokes (45) and Jofra Archer (30) will return to the crease on Day 3.
Reflecting on where things have gone wrong for England, former Australia player and coach Langer told TNT Sports: “The observation from the last three Test matches is the lack of footwork from the England players. They’re just not going anywhere.
“Frankly, against really good bowling, you’re dead if you don’t move your feet into position – front and back foot.
“Joe Root’s a master, he’s one of the all-time greats and you see him, even today, Cummins has got him out twelve times in Test cricket – great length – but the lack of foot movement, if I was in the England camp, would be something that’s really worrying me.
“That’s why I ask the question about the England Lions as well. What’s being coached? The fact that there’s this lack of foot movement.”
Ex-England bowler Steven Finn was in agreement with Langer, citing his own success against static batters.
‘England are wilting’ – Danger man Root caught out
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“I always found the players I liked bowling at the most, they were stuck on the crease, they were waiting for you to make the mistake,” he said.
“If someone’s really decisive in the way they move their feet and get their head into the ball, it makes a big difference on your psychology as a bowler.”
With England facing a massive task to draw – let alone win – the series, Langer thinks their performance has not matched up with their mentality.
“England came here with the philosophy – as they have been for the last few years – they were going to be ultra aggressive,” he said. “Awesome. That’s how every great team and every great player plays.
“But you must marry together good technique as well. You can’t say I’m going to be really aggressive and throw your hands and have no footwork patterns.
“I’ve seen the attitude but haven’t seen the technique to back up.”
Former England bowler Graeme Swann was particularly frustrated with the way Australia spinner Nathan Lyon was allowed to pick up the vital early wickets of Duckett and Pope.
‘Madness from Pope’ – Lyon gifted wicket on return
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“Ollie Pope, lack of footwork, just lazily chipping it to mid-wicket. Awful dismissal for a Test No. 3,” he said.
“Nathan Lyon was then treated with the respect that he shouldn’t have been given.
“If his first three overs had gone three or four runs, no wickets, then he’s going to go searching. You’re not going to have to treat him with respect, you can go on the attack against him, you can dictate terms.”
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