Ashes 2019 | Concept of momentum between games is absolute nonsense, opines Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan feels that the form of a team does not matter ahead of a match though one can benefit immensely from building up momentum during the game. He has also said that Australia has managed to move on from Headingley and can produce a great contest in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
After suffering a heartbreaking defeat in a thrilling third Test, Australia have come into the fourth Test rejuvenated and seemed to have put the experience behind them. A Ben Stokes century had seen the hosts edge the Kangaroos by a single wicket at Headingley to level the series at one each and deny Australia the opportunity of retaining the Ashes for the moment.
However, Australia have bounced back well as they ended a rain-marred first day in a fairly decent position, managing to end the day with momentum on their side. After a couple of beauties by Stuart Broad sent back both the openers cheaply to the pavilion, Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne hit half-centuries to regain control.
"All this talk of momentum is absolute nonsense between games. It does not exist - during games it can exist, but as soon as a game finishes there is no momentum to be gathered by either side. What Australia have done is they've nullified Headingley. They've said to themselves, 'Headingley is gone, we've got 170 already on the board and if we have another good day tomorrow, England have got to bat very, very well in this Test,'" Michael Vaughan was reported saying to BBC Test Match Special.
Only 44 overs could be played which saw Australia be at 170/3 at stumps, with Steven Smith still on the crease with an unbeaten 60 along with Travis Head who played a couple of eloquent shots to take his score to 18 off just 17 balls.
"When the opposition bat first and get 300-plus, there are not many times England can win," Vaughan added.
Having initially been brought in as a Smith replacement following the former skipper’s concussion scares, Labuschagne now has four consecutive half centuries to his name in the series and scored a solid 67 to end day one at Old Trafford as the highest scorer of the game so far.
"We've not been getting too far ahead when we've been doing well and we've not been getting too down when we've been doing poorly. That's been the key, to not let momentum take its course," he said of the opening day.
As for England, their bowlers failed to grasp any form of consistency throughout the windy day except for a certain Stuart Broad whose early wickets mean England are still at par with the visitors.
"The conditions weren't quite with us but we'll come back tomorrow and try to get a couple of early ones and be right back in the game," Craig Overton said.
Having come in as a replacement for Chris Woakes, Overton took a settle Labuschagne’s scalp with a peach of a ball and is now looking forward to eliminating Smith on the second day.
"I wouldn't look much into Jofra being down on pace - he'll be raring to go again, bowling as quick as he can and hopefully take a few wickets as well. Smith is the big one that we want to get. We'll come back with a positive attitude and try and get him early," he signed off.