Right after England beat Australia by 169 runs to win the first Ashes Test at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens on Saturday, Michael Clarke, the visiting team captain, was asked to explain the crushing defeat during the presentation ceremony. And his answer was straight from the heart – England beat his team in all the departments of the game.
What makes this victory special is that the hosts could wrap up things in just four days. Put to chase a record total of 412, the Australians were bowled out for 242 in the second innings after tea, as England are now 1-0 up in the five-match series. It’s an incredible achievement for a team, which had lost all their five Test matches to Australia during the last Ashes campaign in 2013-14.
If experienced pacer James Anderson played a significant role in bringing down the strong Australia batting line-up in the first innings, Stuart Broad excelled with a fine spell of bowling in the second. The lanky pacer produced a well thought line of attack, which pushed the Aussies further back.
At the top of the order, David Warner made 52 and, towards the end, Mitchell Johnson compiled a strokeful 77 off 94 deliveries. Steve Smith again made a patient 33 like he did in the first innings, but couldn’t find an answer to a Broad delivery. Five runs later, Michael Clarke too gave his wicket to Broad and exposed the lower-middle order.
Shane Watson did try his best to avoid the inevitable, but the other England bowlers were too good for Australia. Finally, Broad finished three for 39 as Ashes-holders Australia, who had been 97 for one, literally, collapsed like a pack of cards.
Starting from Moeen Ali to Mark Woods, all of them got wickets for England. The most surprise package was Joe Root’s bowling figures, who after having batted like a champion in both the England innings, then claimed two wickets to his credit. It was a complete team effort that saw a remarkable turnaround in the very first match of the series.
For the English fan, the feeling is yet to sink in. But from here, England have more hard work to stay ahead of Australia when the second Test starts at Lord’s on Thursday. Believe it or not, the Aussies will come hard!
