Aussies shredded over 'un-Australian' tactics in ugly 42-year Ashes first
Not since 1981 have Australia batted so cautiously in England - leaving the home fans increasingly restless throughout day two of the fifth Ashes Test.
Australia have managed to grind out a narrow 12-run lead after the first innings in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval - but they absolutely did it the hard way. A welcome, if fortunate stand of 71 from Steve Smith, combined with an impressive late combination from Pat Cummins and Todd Murphy, helped the Aussies maintain a slight advantage heading into day three.
Save for Usman Khawaja's 47, that Australian top order once again largely failed to fire - however it wasn't a sudden collapse. Instead, the visitors seemed almost determined to take their time at the crease, with Marnus Labuschange dismissed for just nine runs after facing a whopping 82 deliveries.
WOW: Usman Khawaja makes Ashes history in 85-year first in fifth Test
CHEEKY: Labuschagne trolls Bairstow in funny scenes during fifth Test
Labuschagne may have been brought undone by some 'mind games' from Stuart Broad, who bizarrely switched the bails on his stumps just before he edged a Mark Wood delivery though to Joe Root in the slips cordon. He wasn't alone in the patient approach, with Khawaja facing 147 balls before being trapped LBW by Broad.
As a result, Australia took an astonishing 48 overs to pass 100 runs - their slowest Test innings in England since 1981. Neither Labuschagne nor Khawaja scored a run in the first four overs on day two.
England fans accustomed to the explosive style of play embraced by the side under head coach Brendon McCullum grew increasingly frustrated with Australia's slow pace of play. They were placated somewhat following the departures of Khawaja and Labuschagne, with prompted a collapse of the Australian middle order before Smith, Cummins, and Murphy restored some order for the visitors.
Former Australian batter Callum Ferguson said it was an 'un-Australian' innings on the whole, while ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan told the BBC the visitors were 'playing with fear'. It wasn't until Murphy, whose 34-run stand represented a career best, clubbed three sixes off Wood that the Aussie run-rate elevated.
“They are taking home the urn, but I’ve never seen Australia play with so much fear,” Vaughan said. “They are usually so aggressive and try to take the game forward.
“They have just sat in to bat a long period of time without remembering you have to put a bit of pressure on the bowlers. This morning I thought it was the worst I’ve ever seen Australia bat in my time watching them. They never play like that.”
Slow innings for Australia prompts 'Bore-ball' jibes
Mark Taylor was equally concerned for the Aussies, imploring them to pick things up against an England attack that had bowled quite well early in the day.
“No doubt England bowled well, but you have to tell the opposition you are after them as much as they are after you,” Taylor said on Sky Sports commentary. “I’m not suggesting for a minute we try to match Bazball, but be a bit more proactive.”
Keen to wear down England's attack and build a sizeable big first-innings lead, Australia fell from 1-91 midway through the morning to 7-185. But, as has so often been the case, Smith held the innings together.
The 34-year-old later offered further relief when he confirmed retirement was not on the cards, despite claims from former England captain Michael Vaughan that he'd heard this could be Smith's last Test.
"I'm not retiring," Smith said. "I have no idea (where it's come from), because I haven't said it to anyone. I am not going anywhere yet."
Smith's comments followed that of David Warner, who also rejected similar claims about him from Vaughan before the Test, labelling it a joke.
With AAP
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.
