Englands "depressingly poor" bowling slammed on first day of fifth Ashes Test

01/15/2022

England 's bowling on the first day of the fifth Ashes Test in Hobart has been slammed by BBC commentator Jonathan Agnew, describing the attack as 'depressingly poor'.

Things could not have started better for England as Ollie Robinson dismissed David Warner and Steve Smith, whilst Stuart Broad took the wicket of Usman Khawaja to leave the Aussies in all sorts of trouble at 12-3.

However the proactive Travis Head came in at five and put on a masterclass in counter-attack batting, first alongside Marnus Labuschagne and then with Cameron Green to reinstate the hosts' foot-hold on the game.

Head backed up an impressive ton in Brisbane with another on the opening day in Hobart, before chipping up a simple catch to mid-on off the bowling of Chris Woakes just the ball after bringing up his 100.

Despite his departure, the once struggling Aussies found themselves finishing the day on 241/6 after rain brought play to a close slightly earlier than scheduled.

Following the Aussie's impressive fightback through the middle order, BBC commentator Agnew did not hold back on the England bowling attack.

He told BBC Test Match Special : "This has potentially been one of the worst days of the series.

"England have basically been let down by batting throughout but today the bowling was depressingly poor."

Whilst Agnew's assessment may seem harsh, there is no doubt the England bowlers themselves will see it as a missed opportunity, especially after the green Hobart pitch had the Australian openers in real trouble.

What have you made of England's bowling during in the Ashes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

As a result, Agnew went on to add that with the grassy state the pitch was in, he thinks England should have opted to select the more controlled Craig Overton, over the express pace of Mark Wood.

He added: "Mark Wood had a really off day. I wouldn't have played him here. It's a grassy pitch and has Craig Overton written all over it.

"It's always nice someone roaring in and bowling 90mph but on this pitch you don't want that. You want someone controlled."

Agnew was not the only member of the Test Match Special team criticising both the England bowling attack and selection, as former pace bowler Steven Finn also weighed in.

Finn singled out the form of seamer Woakes, commenting: "I don't want to be overly critical of Chris Woakes.

"He didn't play in Melbourne or Sydney. He hasn't played cricket for three weeks which, as a bowler, is significant."

England – who find themselves 3-0 down in the series – will no doubt be hoping they can replicate the form they showed in the first hour in Hobart on day two, as they hunt down the hosts final four wickets.

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