5 improvements Australia need to implement ahead of the 2nd Ashes test

5 improvements Australia need to implement ahead of the 2nd Ashes test: In the first test of the Ashes, the Australians were simply outplayed in all the departments of the game by the English players and they dominated over the Aussies in each of the sessions of the test. As it happened, England enforced a storming victory by 169 runs in the first Ashes test. On a number of areas, the weaknesses of the Australian line up got exposed badly and that carved the path for the victory of the English team. Now judging by the Australians’ point of view, here are the 5 improvements Australia need to implement ahead of the 2nd Ashes test: 1. Opening pair needs to kick off well: David Warner. (© Getty Images) In the first innings of the test, we witnessed a scintillating innings from Chris Rogers where he managed to strike his seventh consecutive half century in tests. Sadly, he missed his century by 5 runs. In the second innings, Warner played brilliantly and scored a half century. But both of the openers failed to click together in each of the two innings. This is one area where Australia needs to focus on. Both the opening batsmen have been in good form of late. But they have to put up a collective performance with the bat for the first wicket in the second test. This might well put the pressure back on the English bowlers. 2. Steve Smith and Michael Clarke’s batting form: Steve Smith. (© Getty Images) The pivots of the Australian middle order need to anchor the innings for them. Smith managed to get starts in each of the two innings but failed to convert them into big ones. He managed to score 33 in each of the two innings. Clarke has looked in good touch but again failed to convert. Either or both of them need to flourish well with the bat and need to play mature innings to seal the fate in favour of the Aussies. 3. Mitchell Johnson has to get back his rhythm: Mitchell Johnson. (© Getty Images) One of the spearheads of the Australian bowling, Mitchell Johnson looked pretty much harmless in the first test. He conceded 111 runs in the first innings and went wicketless and gave away 69 runs in the second innings. The left arm speedster seemed to struggle with his line and length. He needs to improve on it to get things back to dominating ways for Australia. Johnson can be destructive and with Starc and Hazlewood to aid the pace department, the Australians can pose significant damage over the English batsmen if Johnson finds back his rhythm. 4. Shane Watson needs to pull up his socks: Shane Watson. (© Getty Images) Watson, one of the most reliable all-rounders of the Australian squad went wicketless in both the innings and scored 30 and 19 in the test respectively. The right handed middle order batsman did not look at all comfortable against the English pacers and was dismissed LBW in both the innings of the test. He is indeed a prime all-rounder for Australia and shall have to sharpen up with his performances with the bat and the ball to make way for Australia’s victory in the second test. 5. Fielding needs to be spot on and charged up: Australia. (© Getty Images) The fielding display in the first test were not as par the Australian standards. There were a number of mis-fields and dropped chances that eased things off for England to a considerable extent in the first test. As an instance, Joe Root was dropped on 0 in the first innings by Brad Haddin. He went onto score the game changing knock of 134 runs. Also, the Australian seemed to lack the Aussie spirit on the field. They failed to capitalize upon the pressure created by the bowlers on a number of runs. The fielding, as a unit needs to come good and with intent in the second test to fetch some hope for the team.