The Ashes 2013: What Australia Must Do to Even Up Series vs England

Fifteen more runs were all Australia needed to claim an unlikely first Ashes Test victory over England. Ashton Agar’s heroic first innings knock of 98 couldn’t prevent them falling to defeat, and Australia must quickly assess how they are going to level the series.

 

Improve Use of Technology

Telegraph cricket correspondent Derek Pringle writes that the Australians, and in particular captain Michael Clarke, need to improve their use of the Decision Review System (DRS).

The red-faced Stuart Broad inexplicably loitered at the crease after a clear edge, but if Clarke hadn’t wasted earlier appeals then the batsman was out and Australia would have been set to triumph.

“I’m not happy with my use of the DRS,” Clarke said, as reported by the Telegraph. “I did not get many right. Both teams are using DRS and in this game and they have used it better than I have.”

England captain Alastair Cook fulfilled his duty much more effectively, despite struggling with the bat. Under immense pressure, he elected to refer Anderson’s final delivery to the third umpire, and it proved a match-winning decision. This Ashes series already looks set to become a battle of captain’s judgement. Cook is 1-0 up.

Rediscover Winning Mentality

The Guardian’s Aaron Timms suggests Australia have transformed into England, becoming experts at losing remarkable Tests.

That’s probably a touch premature at this stage—at the height of their powers the Aussies won eight Ashes series back to back—but as their target crept below 20 the cracks started to appear.

The side that once dominated international cricket needs to rediscover their winning mentality and go into the second Test expecting to win.

The aura of Australian cricket needs to return to intimidate England—but for that to happen, their experienced batsman have got to step up and post some big totals and not solely rely on their No. 11s.

Protect Ashton Agar

Key to the Australian hopes though will be the form of Ashton Agar. He embarrassed one of the finest bowling attacks on the planet and highlighted frailties in the England team.

Independent sports writer Kevin Garside tweet highlights the impact of Agar perfectly. After just one innings the little-known 19-year-old had every English cricket fan tearing their hair out. If the Australians can play without inhibition, as Agar did, then they have a chance.

The expectation is to push Agar up the order, but that might not be the wisest move. Keeping him in the middle order and protecting him might prevent him collapsing under the heightened expectation.

The overriding concern for Australia, though, is that they lost a match in which England performed below par, and a heavy series defeat will follow if they can’t resolve their problems.