England's top four players have been drawn to Australian short bowling. Credit: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Opponent's short balls were the catalyst for Bazball. In his mesmerizing post-tea blast at Trent Bridge a year ago, Johnny Barstow faced a packed field ready to hook as Matt Henry went around the wicket. Barstow landed exactly the hook that New Zealand had hoped for, but so well that he repeatedly threw the ball over fielders, overcoming Trent Bridge's short boundaries. It was a moment of crystallization of England's new approach under the leadership of Brandon McCallum and Ben Stokes. The fierce ambitions of Bairstow, Ollie Pope and Joe Root were one of the defining features of the New England regime.
But in New Zealand in February, England met an opponent ready to take the short ball strategy to the next level. Neil Wagner is a unique bowler, built to throw short balls relentlessly, perfecting the art of dodgeball just below shoulder level. On the last day in Wellington, Wagner's four wickets secured a one-run win.
Lord's, Australia used the Wagner method. And while Harry Brook claimed that the Wagner matchup set him up for short passes from Australia, it ignored two advantages that the Australian offense has. The most obvious is the pace. Wagner tends to drive at a little over 80 miles per hour late in his career; Mitchell Stark can reach speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. And while there is one Wagner machine, there are four sewing machines in Australia that typically operate at speeds in excess of 85 miles per hour.
This gives a new answer to the question of how to stop England. On the second night at 188–1 with Australia down the bowler, England lost their last nine wickets in 137 runs. On an innocuous field with an old ball, Australia abandoned all misses, not even bothering to maintain the appearance of trying to drive away the batsmen behind. Instead, Pat Cummins gathered his men from the leg side, ready for short balls.
Five batsmen from England are required. If Josh Tong's short-footed wicket was common for a rider, then the dismissal of the top four batsmen was even more striking. Ollie Pope, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and later Harry Brook saw plans that were easier to read than time. Each of them continued to cling, no matter what.
Brook's dismissal was perhaps the most disturbing. Like Ben Stokes on the second night, Brook showed a willingness to leave short balls by deflecting his ball. But Australia still felt vulnerable to supplies; he stepped away from the ball of Mitchell Stark, who was chasing him, and knocked the ball down to cover him.
In the early months of the Stokes-McCallum administration, England had a resounding response whenever teams adopted the short ball tactic. In the regime's first 10 games – last summer and in Pakistan – England averaged 73 balls against pace bowlers in the bowler's half, scoring seven points per over. So far this year, that average has dropped to 24, with 20 English batsmen sacked due to such deliveries.
England's new vulnerability to dodgeball
What changed? Instead of using the short ball as a hitting tactic, opponents are now committed to using it as a reserve tactic. Last year, only 8% of pace bowler deliveries to England were bouncers. This year, excluding the test against Ireland, that figure has risen to 21%. Facing a relentless barrage of bouncers, with a line of waiting fielders, is a completely different challenge than facing the occasional surprise bouncer. The challenge is compounded when Australia faces an attack with extra tempo.
Thus, Australia's tactics can do much more than just win a test match. They can also become a model for how to play the England team at flat wickets, and threaten to ruin the hopes of the England Ashes team.
Ashes analysis: Tim Wigmore Sacking every player by Ollie Pope
Olly Pope goes 42 ❌
Big wicket for Australia! pic.twitter.com/tB0VSAdzpO
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket), June 29, 2023
Lost at pace – late to hook against bouncer Cameron Green at 88 mph. Pope tried to scrape the deep back square leg but only found a man there.
Ben Duckett
Ben Duckett is two centuries behind 🤏 pic.twitter.com/dt0nHzzfaq
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2023Failed to control the bouncer he never gives up as he tried to accumulate another single. Duckett tried to hit the ball, but the ball was too high, showing the value of Australia's extra pace.
Joe Root
Removal without the ball:
" “It's a problem for Australia”
Cameron Green FIFTH time has no ball in this spell 😬👇 pic.twitter.com/s9X19325wN
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket), June 29, 2023 ;
Steve Smith with amazing catch, Joe Root CLOSES! pic.twitter.com/trumWCymK9
– Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket), June 29, 2023
Already caught behind bouncer Cameron Green but was saved by the lack of a ball. After that, Ruth showed no desire to change his approach to short bowling. He lacked control over tall bouncer Mitchell Stark, who jumped over his straight leg. Third batsman to fall short in eight overs.
Harry Brook
GONE!
🎙️ “England keeps swinging the short ball” pic.twitter.com/2eYnTEX3Yt
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket), June 30, 2023
Was noticeably less aggressive against short balls than his teammates, with the exception of Ben Stokes. Brook backed away, trying to make room, and Mitchell Stark followed him.
Josh Tong
England on 325! ✖️
Australia leads with rank 91 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/f7XnLA7Drg
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket), June 30, 2023
Classic dismissal of a tailor who poked bouncer Pat Cummins in his short leg.
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