England’s second Ashes Test defeat was sadly all too predictable

Despite Jos Buttler’s best efforts, England cricket fans have had little to celebrate this Ashes series, writes Ben Burrows

Buttler faced 206 balls in Adelaide before stepping back onto his stumps (AFP/Getty)

It was grimly reflective of what had come before it that England’s chances in the second Ashes Test were ended in farcical fashion.

Jos Buttler had batted manfully on the fifth and final day in Adelaide to drag the tourists back into a contest they had been thoroughly second best in since arriving for the day/night Test. Burying his natural tendency to attack, Buttler was resolute and obdurate, defending as though his life depended on it with England needing to bat out the day to snatch a draw they did not deserve.

Two sessions and 206 balls passed, as Buttler stuck to his task admirably, only for it all to unravel when, to the 207th, he stepped back to defend Jhye Richardson, treading on his stumps and sending the bails tumbling. With the falling of ash to turf behind him, so too went England hopes of salvaging anything from this second contest.

Australia would soon wrap up a 275-run win and with it move to a 2-0 lead in the series after the comprehensive victory in Brisbane a week ago. Joe Root’s men now need to win all three of the remaining Tests, starting in Melbourne on Sunday, to recapture the urn.

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An overseas Ashes series is nothing if not predictable for English cricket fans watching on from afar. Those dedicated – or foolish – enough to tune in through the night witness hapless batting collapse after hapless batting collapse; the wise majority simply learn about the latest horror when they wake up each morning.

Buttler showed it is possible, in fact, for an England batter to not get out in embarrassing fashion on this tour (only to then get out in embarrassing fashion, of course) and that lesson must be learned by the rest of the team. Losing is no longer an option.

Yours,

Ben Burrows

Sports editor