The challenge for England is to win conventionally, without the necessity of a superhuman performance from one of their players to get them over the line. That tends to happen just once or twice in a generation. They desperately need runs from fresh sources. The challenge for Australia is to forget.
They must forget how they bowled England out for 67 in the first innings at Headingley, how they needed just one more wicket with a lead of 72 runs to retain the Ashes and how despite much sweat and toil on that fairytale, final afternoon they somehow lost the match. How that hurts. Justin Langer, endearingly candid, admitted he felt physically sick when the match was “stolen”. Since then he has been working hard to ensure that his team can regroup and achieve their goal. In isolation that is not so difficult. One win at Old Trafford or the Oval will suffice. Yet there must remain the nagging feeling among the tourists that by now they should be luxuriating in the knowledge the task is complete.
Written by Vic Marks at Old Trafford
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/03/england-more-runs-ashes-craig-overton-australia under the title “Australia do their best to forget while England remember Craig Overton | Vic Marks”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
