Chastening reality pushes Oz selectors back to the drawing board

BRISBANE - With the first Ashes Test held here drawn, and England seemingly coming out on top during the encounter in all departments of the game, the Australian selectors have been made to confront chastening reality and go back to the drawing board.

A humorous twitter message whistled around the Gabba press box on Monday said it all. It revealed that the Royal Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Australians had been called in to investigate whether what was happening to Ricky Ponting’s side was inhumane.

Barbs unleashed by a buoyant English press corps also caused no merriment in the Australian camp.

The general view is that the entire Australian bowling attack needs to be reviewed, and for starters, the selectors have roped in pace bowlers Ryan Harris and Doug Bollinger for the Adelaide Test to given some more sting to the host attack.

Mitchell Johnson needs a break from the game and an urgent appointment with the team psychologist. At his present form, he may simply be too nice to be a Test match enforcer. Ben Hilfenhaus is vulnerable and must quickly justify his place in the XI. Left-arm finger spinner Xavier Doherty appears to lack the weapons required to be a Test bowler.

It is clear that England has no fear of Australia. It is playing the ball and not the man and the ball is coming on to the bat beautifully.

The English have planned well and seem the better prepared side.

But there is hope for Australia. The tourists, despite their astonishing batting form, have their soft spots and the gap between the sides is not as wide as the momentum they will take from Brisbane suggests.(ANI)