‘They aren't doing much right now that makes cricketing sense’ – Michael Atherton feels England made blunder by excluding Jack Leach in Adelaide

After losing the first Test, it was expected that England might bounce back in the second game. However, the same script was repeated on the first day of the second Ashes Test. England is still struggling, and team selection is one of the reasons for this. England dropped Jack Leach, the only specialist spinner, and walked with an all-pace attack.

However, the move backfired as Australia ended up scoring 221 runs at the end of the first day. Former England captain Michael Atherton also criticized England’s choice of picking an all-pace attack. He thinks England has committed a blunder in picking the playing XI for the second time in the series.

“England are not doing much right now that makes cricketing sense and this selection looked counter-intuitive. On a green pitch under gloomy skies in Brisbane, England had chosen a varied and balanced attack; now, under piercing blue skies and on a dry, biscuit-coloured pitch, that variety and balance was lacking.” Atherton wrote in his column for The Times.

Atherton was also not impressed with the way England played on the first day of the second Test.

“Some say England always seem to be thinking about the game but one in front of them; here, it looked like they were playing the game behind.” Atherton added.

Michael Atherton not impressed with England dropping Mark Wood

Apart from Leach, England also dropped Mark Wood from the team. The two of them were replaced by James Anderson and Stuart Broad. It is Broad’s 150th Test match for England, and he received the cap from Anderson.

“As a result, Ben Stokes was utilised for lengthy periods in the kind of assertive role that would have been taken by Wood, using fields more reminiscent of Bodyline, nearly 80 years ago.” Atherton wrote on the absence of Wood.

On the first day, David Warner made 95 runs before getting dismissed. Marnus Labuschagne made 95 runs as well and remained not-out. Warner and Labuschagne struggled initially but went on to add 172 runs for the second wicket.

“No matter the tactics and strategy, it is wickets that count, and England took only two of them. It must be said that it was far from straightforward for Warner and Labuschagne for long periods initially.” Atherton added.