If England do make an impact in this series, Steve Waugh, for one, believes any fightback will have taken its roots in the audacious and aggressive batting of Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen in the second innings. For Waugh, this was the first time he could recall Shane Warne being “dominated” since V. V. S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid “hit against the spin” in Calcutta five years ago.
“At least, England has started to believe it can dominate for periods rather than compete,” the former Australia captain wrote in his column in The Courier-Mail. “This change of mindset will hold it in good stead for the rest of the series. Rarely does anyone play against the spin or engage verbally with the master of mind games (Warne), but Pietersen not only did so but also took the points.” Andrew Flintoff agreed, even he if did so in plainer Preston-speak.
“Over the last 24 hours of the match, we salvaged something from the game,” the captain said. “That partnership showed what good players Pietersen and Collingwood are. We’re going to take the positives out of the game for Adelaide. Maybe at the start, there were a few nervy lads knocking around, and it took time to get into the Test. But having experienced that now, we can go into Friday knowing what to expect and how hard Australia will come at us.”
Although England have very little time to regroup before the second Test, Flintoff argued that this is to their advantage. “The lads are quick learners, and do adapt quickly,” he said. “It’s probably the best thing that the next Test is coming round straightaway so that we don’t lick our wounds and mope around.”
The widespread notion that England’s attack was badly “undercooked” was rejected by Flintoff. “I think we were fine,” he said. “The bowlers got miles into their legs in India and in the two three-day games here. I’m pleased with where I’m at and I’m sure that the rest of the lads will say the same.” He did not, of course, include Stephen Harmison, whom he added was working hard in the nets and “desperate to get into this series and bowl the way we know he can”.