Former England greats slams Pat Cummins’ Australia team after poor bowling in fourth Test of Ashes 2023

Australia dominated England at the start of the Ashes 2023. They won two back-to-back Tests and took a 2-0 lead early on in the series. However, England bounced back at Test 3 in Headingley to make it 2-1 and they look in great touch in the fourth Test being played at the Old Trafford. At stumps, Day 2, England have taken a 67-run lead in the first innings while Australia are still in need of six first-inning wickets.

Australia, after being asked to bat first by England after winning the toss, could only manage 317 runs. Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh scored identical half-centuries to help boost the team total. But, England bowlers handled the pressure well as Chris Woakes returned with a five-wicket haul with figures of 5/62 in 22.2 overs. Stuart Board bagged two while Moeen Ali, Mark Wood, and James Anderson scalped one wicket each.

They [ Australia ] were unable to stick to one plan or another: Mark Butcher

In reply, England have reached 384/4 at Stumps on Day 2. Zak Crawley with 189 off 182 balls has been the star for the hosts so far. Mitchell Starc, who survived a minor shoulder injury-scare has been the best bowler for the Aussies with figures of 2/82 in 16 overs. Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green have scalped one wicket each. Following Day 2’s play two of England’s former red-ball greats have commented on the Pat Cummins’ led side.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Mark Butcher said, “[Australia] Resembled a school team. Following the ball around, not being able to stick to one plan or another, and not being able to bowl two deliveries in the same spot. England just gave them the run-around.”

At the same time, Nasser Hussain also was not much impressed with Pat Cummins and Co. “Often when you look down on the Australian side historically, you know who the captain is, whether it be Taylor, Border, Ponting, Waugh. If you look down today, there will have been a lot of cricketers waving their arms around trying to help their captain,” Hussain opined.