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England showed a lot of fight and character in Sydney but, let’s be honest, there was still a massive gulf between the sides in those conditions and there is still plenty of work to do.
That work needs to carry on at Hobart on Friday and England can build on the drawn fourth Test by looking back and seeing why they were slightly more successful.
They improved at the SCG by getting the balance right between attack and defence, but only after they were 36 for four in the first innings. They have to start well now.
England must take inspiration from the efforts of Jonny Bairstow (left) and Ben Stokes (right)
The way to go is the way Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow counter-attacked in that first innings at Sydney and how Zak Crawley played in the second. Bairstow’s century and Crawley’s 77 can’t be one-offs. They have to build on that and be more consistent.
Ricky Ponting has spoken about how great bowlers love it when batters are defensive and there’s no doubt England’s top order have been too defensive in this Ashes. They have to put the bowlers under pressure, even with balls they are not looking to attack.
Trevor Bayliss said when he was England coach that positive
