Ashes rout branded ‘day of infamy’ in horrified Australia

Australia’s captain Michael Clarke leads his team off the field at the end of the first day’s play on Thursday in the fourth test in the Ashes series - Reuters 

Reuters: Australia’s stunning dismissal for 60 runs on day one of the fourth Ashes test prompted incredulous headlines in local newspapers on Friday (7 August) along with calls for the citizenship to be stripped from the entire team.

“What a disgrace,” was a front-page headline on Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, above a picture of embattled Australia captain Michael Clarke.

After losing the toss, Australia were bowled out in a record 18.3 overs at Trent Bridge, with England paceman Stuart Broad taking an astonishing personal best haul of 8-15.

England’s batsmen marched to 274-4 at stumps, putting the home side within reach of sealing the five-test series 3-1.

The brevity of Australia’s innings prompted derision on social media, with Antony Green, an election analyst with state broadcaster ABC, noting the entire ball-by-ball summary could fit in the 140-character limit of a tweet on Twitter.

The Australian newspaper described the Nottingham nightmare as a “Aussies’ Trent Bridge Horror Show”.

“It’s been described as the darkest day in Australian cricket. all out for just 60 runs in juts 111 balls. The shortest first innings in history and it came in the crucial fourth Ashes Test against England. Shaking our head, reporter Neil Breen joins us now to try and make sense of it all. I know that your head was in your hands when you were watching it, but how embarrassing, how did Australia get this result?” asked Deborah Knight from the Nine Network’s morning news program.

“I’ll tell you why, Deb. It’s because the Australian team can’t play the swinging ball and they haven’t been able to for many years,” answered Nine Network sports reporter.

Three of Australia’s top order batsmen were dismissed for ducks, with captain Clarke holing out for 10 with an ill-advised slash at a Broad delivery that was caught in the slips.

Clarke later remarked that his shot was “live by the sword, die by the sword”.

Pundits suggested he should rather fall on the sword, having already demoted himself to fifth in the order after a wretched series.

“I think it’s unfair to blame the captain for everything but there’s obviously, you know, it’s the worst performance in a long time so need to do something about it,” said Angus Pearson.

“He’s by no means the worst in the team and I’m not sure who they’ll put in to replace him. As far as captaincy goes, perhaps, Smith could replace him, but, as far as replace him as a batsman, they have to have someone who is doing better and the few that they’ve put in who are the next top order batsman, haven’t performed either. So, why ditch him if you haven’t got a better replacement,” said Derek Shirlaw.

“Cricket’s a funny game you know, just the second day today. Anything can happen. England might collapse and then we might come back strong, can’t say,” added Naresh Kumar.

The selectors also came in for criticism for dropping all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in favour of his brother Shaun, a plan seemingly to add depth to a batting order that has appeared flaky for most of the series.

Batting at four in Clarke’s usual spot, Shaun Marsh was caught behind for a fourth-ball duck.