Australia's centurion says England batsman's performance has been poor and weak in the first Ashes Test
Australia sense fear in English batsmen’s eyes already in the Ashes, especially after Jonathan Trott’s two hapless failures against Mitchell Johnson in the first Test.u00a0It was left to David Warner to put the boot in.u00a0He was scathing in his review of Alastair Cook’s side, describing the tourists as scared and singling out Trott’s performance as “poor” and “weak”.
David Warner of Australia celebrates his century duringu00a0Day Three of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Saturday. Pics/Getty Images
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England ended Day Three at the Gabba with precious little hope of salvaging a draw at a venue where Australia are unbeaten in the last 25 years.
Warner (124) and Michael Clarke (113) put the hosts in complete control, in a run-a-ball stand of 158, as Australia piled up 401 for seven declared to set England a mountainous task in a notional pursuit of a world-record 561 to win.
The tourists were therefore made to pay for their calamitous collapse 24 hours earlier, to 136 all out - principally against the pace of Johnson.
After then struggling to stumps on 24 for the loss of Michael Carberry and Trott second time round, it was hard to see how they could recover sufficient composure to take this contest the distance.
Trott’s form, and susceptibility to the short ball, is an obvious and particular worry. Trott has been short of his best for much of the past year, and has mustered only 19 runs here before his unequal struggles against Johnson have ended predictably.
England’s Jonathan Trott of England walks off the field after being dismissed by Mitchell Johnson on Saturday
Warner was in no mood for mercy on Saturday, either with the bat, or in his close-of-play press conference. “England are on the back foot. It does look like they’ve got scared eyes at the moment,” said the combative opener. “The way that Trotty got out today was pretty poor, and pretty weak. Obviously, there’s a weakness there at the moment - and we’re probably on top of it.”
Trott has reacted to Australia’s line of attack by trying to rush off side of the ball, but then playing instinctive and uncontrolled flicks and pulls - twice paying with his wicket, cheaply.u00a0Warner was happy to spell out that, at present, England’s No 3 appears to have very little going for him - even down to his banter on the pitch. “I think he’s got to get new ‘sledges’ as well, because it’s not working for him,” he said.
“We’ve seen him work hard in the nets on the short ball. But trying to face a 150kph short ball from Mitchell Johnson, the way to go is not probably to back away.u00a0“Mitch’s pace is up, and he’s always got no fear. That’s the best thing about him – he’ll come out hard and aggressively. When he’s on top, he’s
hard to stop.”
Brief scores
Australia (1st innings) 295 all out; England (1st innings) 136 all out;
Australia (2nd innings) 401-7 decl (David Warner 124, Michael Clarke 113, Brad Haddin 53, M Johnson 39 not out; Chris Tremlett 3-69)u00a0
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