You might say it was the occasion, or that the venue, the home of cricket overawed them, or that they are a young side that is undeniably still in a transition phase. But these factors didn't hinder the Australians in the first test, nor in South Africa in their previous series. They simply just didn't turn up, and were subsequently bounced by the English, boosted by their great escape in Cardiff.
It was Australia's turn to be off with the fairies in the Lord's test. This time, it was Ponting who was gazing gloomily up to the dark English skies praying for rain, it was their bowlers who were ineffective and lacked zing, and it was their batsman who were out playing unnecessary shots and getting out cheaply.
But the test will be most remembered for the umpiring, Rudi Kortzen and Billy Doctrove created massive controversy when in England's second innings, Nathan Hauritz claimed a low catch and it was referred to the third umpire after Ravi Bopara decided to question Hauritz's honesty. Then in the Australia's second innings, batting to save the match, Strauss claimed a similar catch at second slip after Andrew Flintoff found the edge of Philip Hughes' bat. Hughes asked Strauss if it had carried, and after the England captain claimed it had, Hughes began to walk. Ricky Ponting, watching from the non-strikers end, ordered his younger counterpart to stand his ground. This time however, Doctrove and Kortzen decided not to refer the decision, instead taking Strauss' word and sending Hughes on his way.
The umpiring situation was already in question after Simon Katich had been caught off a clear no-ball in the previous Flintoff over, and was further put under pressure when Michael Hussey was given out, caught at first slip when a Graeme Swann delivery had hit the rough and turned past the outside edge.
So, three clearly wrong decisions, and three wickets lost that, if not given out, could have easily meant an Australian world record victory, after Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke but together a fighting rearguard partnership on the fourth day.
Understandably, the Australians are looking for answers after the 100+ run loss. Mitchell Johnson is first in the firing line after a well below par performance at Lords, and he is followed closely by young opener Philip Hughes. Both have been inconsistent to say the least, and both have far from recreated their world beating form they showed earlier in the year on the tour of South Africa.
The Australians should be inclined to stick with the 28 year old fast bowler, who has taken over 100 wickets in 24 matches. Bowling coach Troy Cooley and coach Tim Neilson have both stated that they are going to keep faith in Mitchell Johnson, and to work on the chinks in his bowling armor over the next week. Philip Hughes should also hold the faith of the Australian people, however, many are talking of a possible exchange with "specialist batsman", Shane Watson.
These claims, in my opinion, are extremely unwarranted. Hughes has not looked badly out of form, and has had the wrong end of a couple of umpiring decisions. The opening batsmen have a tough job in England, the ball swings, and failures are inevitable. Hughes needs to develop, and unless you have a capable replacement opener in the squad, then there's no point replacing him. Australia don't, instead, they have the option of including Watson, the injury prone all-rounder, or even pushing Mike Hussey or Marcus North up the order, which, at test level, is not the right thing to do.
Australia have a practice game starting Friday which well determine where they are at before the Edgbaston test, which starts next Thursday.
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