England have been slammed for their ‘poor’ approach to the red-ball format after Travis Head made history in remarkable run-chase and Cricket Australia are set to lose $3 million as a result. Head created Ashes history on Saturday and crushed England’s spirits having blasted a 69-ball century on Australia’s way to successfully chasing down 209 runs with eight wickets in hand.
There was concern for the Aussies heading into lunch with England 1-65 with the lead edging past 100 runs. But Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc managed to rein the English on a thrilling day of cricket. Joe Root and Ollie Pope were both caught playing outside the line as they reached for deliveries that should have been left.
England and Ben Stokes (pictued left) have been slammed for their ‘poor’ approach to batting with Cricket Australia set to lose $3 million as a result of the Test match not going to day three. (Images: Getty Images)
England’s ‘BazBall’ approach – and need to get bat on ball – was quickly exposed with Australia’s quicks sticking to their game plan on the bouncy Perth wicket. Aussie cricket great Justin Langer described England’s batting as ‘poor’ when wickets tumbled and their lead suddenly didn’t look too daunting.
And across the two innings, England lost 20 wickets in 67 overs. While England fans may praise the team’s aggressive approach when it works, it has once again seem them unravel at a rapid speed. England only batted 17 more overs than an ODI match with 20 wickets available.
Australia were granted a glimmer of hope with the run-chase and Head didn’t disappoint. Having shifted up the order for the injured Usman Khawaja, Head’s scintillating batting saw Australia become the first Test team to chase down 200+ total at more than a run a ball.
While Australia were bowled out in 45.2 overs in the first innings, the batters looked more complete during their second chance and could have batted on for another 50 overs. And unfortunately for CA, the breathtaking speed at which the game was played will cost them.
Travis Head (pictured) scored a century on day two of the Perth Test.
Cricket Australia set to lose $3m after carnage
CA are headed for an estimated loss of more than $3 million from ticket revenue having lost play on days three and four, according to AAP. Ahead of the Test match, CA chief executive Todd Greenberg claimed there are ‘competing demands’ when preparing a pitch for a contest. Although he reassured fans the curators have total control of the pitch.
“There are competing demands in Australian cricket and I understand that,” he said. “There’s the performance demands and what might suit the teams best. There are commercial returns, which are really important.”
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Speaking before play on Saturday, Greenberg joked there was slight concern the Test would not make it to day three. “It’s difficult for a number of different groups,” Greenberg told SEN Radio when talking about the financial impact of a match finishing early.
“Our broadcasters first of all. Certainly us, on ticket sales and our partners and sponsors. There’s a big economic impact on this series.” Unfortunately for CA, England’s inability to string an innings together is set to cost the organisation.
Ben Stokes (pictured left) and Joe Root (pictured right) look dejected after losing the first Test.
England fans take aim at Ben Stokes’ side
And while both teams were at fault in the first innings with the Perth pitch behaving more lively than expected, England’s approach is now being questioned. While there were early question marks around whether the pitch didn’t offer the right balance between bat and ball, Head and Marnus Labuschagne put that to bed when they constructed a fine partnership on Saturday afternoon.
The Perth pitch has recently become a batters paradise late on day two and three as the sun goes to work. And England benefitted from this when Gus Atkinson and Bryson Carse put on a 50-run partnership to take Australia’s target further out of reach.
And this gave the Aussies hope there was plenty in the pitch for the batters. Head made no mistake having taken on the England bowlers and Jake Weatherald and Labuschagne doing the work down the other end. But just like CA, many fans feel a two-day Test match isn’t a good look for the format. This is because red-ball cricket is still considered the pinnacle of the sport.