5 Things Learned After First Ashes Test

2. We're a Long Way From England

The Ashes Series in England earlier this year was played to the strengths of the English bowling attack- low bouncing pitches with conditions overhead that could make the ball move through the air- particularly with the more prominent seam of the White Duke balls. These conditions were also tailored to the sdpin of Greame Swann, who they believed would play a part in the series. While Ryan Harris thrived in these sorts of conditions for Australia too, there is no doubt that the English seamers were able to exploit the conditions far better in order to get the Australians out relatively cheaply time and time again. But there is no doubt that things have changed. Gone are the low bouncing wickets and the moist conditions for swing/reverse swing bowling to be replaced by a Gabba pitch where pace, bounce and seam movement were called upon. The kookaburra ball has also been one that has accommodated less for swing movement thanks to its smaller seam. Suffice to say, the Australians did their level best to exploit the pace and bounce of the pitch at every opportunity. It helped of course, that they had an attack tailor made for the conditions. However, the lack of ability of the English bowlers to exploit the bounce must be a concern for Cook- particularly as the next test is in the most batting friendly pitch in the country- if not the world. Even Swann was overshadowed by Lyon's ability to rely less on turn and more on flight, bounce and deception- allowing him to pin the English batsmen to the crease and snare Bell and Prior thanks to bouncing deliveries.