England crumble once more in the cauldron of Adelaide amid more controversy

Photos for this article courtesy of Ian Norman-Bruce

We all know Snicko should be sacked, but the question for England in the coming weeks is whether anyone else should be. Another dismal display with the bat in the scorching sun means England end Day 2 158 runs behind Australia with only 2 wickets in hand. The already faint hopes of a famous Ashes comeback have been reduced to an even tinier flicker.

The Australian bowling unit were relentless and gave England no chance to breathe. Once Lyon was in rhythm, scoring rates plummeted and it allowed Cummins to rotate his world-class quicks from the other end. There were no freebies. Nothing short and wide. Everything on the money. The bowling performance exposed the gulf in quality between the two sides and highlighted the critical importance of holding the right lines and lengths for long periods.

You have to feel for Ollie Pope, but it is now crystal clear he is not up to the standard required for Ashes cricket. His attempted whip across the line was not what the situation demanded, and it led directly to his demise. Out with a whimper - again. He is yet to register an Ashes fifty, only one other player has failed to do so in the same number of games, and you would have to say he will likely have just one more chance to change that, in what may be his final innings of the series and of his international career.

I stand by my thoughts from yesterday that England were on top heading into day two. That was only the second time Australia have been bowled out for under 400 when batting first in a day game at Adelaide. They were under par. Today required real fight and ruthlessness from England to gain the advantage and start to swing the momentum of the series into their favour. Stokes showed that fight, admirably reaching 45 not out at the close with a defiant refusal to cave in to the Aussie pressure, unlike his fellow teammates.

You can’t then not address the technological controversy. Two consecutive decisions appeared deeply questionable. Jamie Smith quite clearly gloved the first delivery, only for the third umpire to determine it had struck the helmet. The very next ball, Smith was adjudged to be caught behind despite what appeared to be daylight between bat and ball. While this is no excuse for England’s dire position in the series, it certainly has not helped their cause.

As we head into day three, the mountain England must climb has doubled in size. Ashes defeat is edging ever closer, barring something extraordinary from Stokes or a miracle tomorrow. Some England supporters may still cling to a glimmer of hope, but as the saying goes, it’s the hope that kills you.