England's new bats save face

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 04 Januari 2014 | 20.47

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ENGLAND's senior players seem intent on catching an early flight home, leaving their young guard has been left to carry the can.

Resuming play on 1/8 at the SCG on Saturday, England's top order capitulated so quickly it was a struggle to keep up with the comings and goings of batsmen from the visitors change room.

Alastair Cook (7) limped off leg before wicket to Ryan Harris in the second ball of the day and night-watchman James Anderson (7) followed three overs later, undone by Mitchell Johnson.

Kevin Pietersen hung around for just 13 minutes before some lazy footwork saw him drive a full Harris delivery to Shane Watson and Ian Bell was next, caught behind for two off Peter Siddle.

They were tired shots from a tired team.

It left England reeling on 5/23 with debutant Gary Ballance and allrounder Ben Stokes, the only English player to make a noteworthy contribution all match, to begin the recovery mission.

It wasn't anything out of Brad Haddin's book, but the two fought well to reach 50 without further damage, except a dented helmet.

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Ballance tried to duck under a Johnson bouncer at the last minute, but got it horribly wrong and took a whack right on the head.

After a lengthy delay to asses the damage and replace his helmet, Ballance and Stokes survived a testing spell before lunch to go into the break with England on 5/61 and the future of English cricket at least showing signs of life.

When Ballance (18) fell to a wonderful Nathan Lyon delivery early in the second session, it was again up to Stokes to salvage something.

The 22-year-old is a genuine allrounder - as his 120 in Perth and Friday's six wicket haul will attest to - but he regards himself more as a batsman who bowls.

He spent 141 minutes in the middle for his 47. He sustained a bone-crunching blow to his foot from Johnson, a similar delivery to the one that injured Stuart Broad in Perth, and hit four boundaries before being clean bowled by Siddle.

With 247 runs Stokes is England's second-highest run scorer this series behind only Pietersen, but he has played one less Test. He's also taken 14 wickets, so it's little wonder he's been described as the find of the series.


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