Australian batsman Phil Hughes departs after being run out for10. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
AUSTRALIA must develop a ruthless streak if they want to regain the Ashes.
Having failed to grab the big moments against South Africa earlier in the summer, Australia should have put Sri Lanka to the sword on the Boxing Day stage in front of more than 67,000 fans at the MCG yesterday.
Australia's bowlers made a mockery of the outrage surrounding the decision to leave out Mitchell Starc for successful debutant Jackson Bird, bowling Sri Lanka out for 156.
But when Australia's rampant batting of 0-95 suddenly became 3-117, as red mist once again descended on the top order and raised doubts about how their batsmen would handle England's battle-hardened attack in English conditions.
The position would have been even more worrying if Sri Lanka had taken sharp chances off captain Michael Clarke and vice-captain Shane Watson when both were just five.
Clarke and Watson were forced to spend the last hour mounting a rearguard action in the hope of relaunching Australia's innings this morning from 3-150, with Clarke unbeaten on 20 and Watson 13.
Shane Watson and Michael Clarke walk off the ground at the end of play. Source: Getty Images
This was despite Clarke scoring two double centuries and finishing with 576 runs at an average of 144, a record for Australia in any three-Test series.
Sri Lanka was demoralised yesterday, succumbing on a bouncy wicket after winning the toss and batting before being hammered all over the cavernous ground by a frantic David Warner (62 in just 46 balls).
But Phil Hughes (10) was involved in a run-out for the second time in as many Tests since his recall and Ed Cowan (36) sliced to second slip after another promising start.
Such lapses against an England team that is arguably better than the one which has claimed the previous two Ashes series will cost Australia dearly.
It reinforced the reality of Australia's uncertain batting line-up and refocused the euphoria from a wonderful bowling display.
Australian players congratulate Jackson Bird on his maiden Test wicket. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun
Tall, accurate, with good bounce and occasional swing and seam, Bird claimed two of the first four wickets to fall yesterday, something Ben Hilfenhaus failed to manage at any stage during his three Tests this summer before breaking down.
And it was back to the future for Mitchell Johnson (4-63), who cracked the right thumb of Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene, forcing Sri Lanka's top scorer Kumar Sangakkara (58) to keep wicket.
This may have saved Watson, with Sangakkara missing an outside edge as he dived to the right.
Australia should still win this Test easily.
Given the feeble opposition Sri Lanka offered yesterday in the face of some challenging bowling there could easily be a clean sweep in Sydney, although the flatter pitch should better suits the tourists.
But what will it mean in the face of stiffer opposition in India and England next year?
Will Clarke and Australia's domination remain inextricably linked?
Matthew Wade takes an amazing catch to dismiss Kumar Sangakkara off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson. Source: Getty Images
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