Australia is facing the danger of the nightmare of a 10-0 Ashes defeat soon becoming a reality after 128-all out batting collapse at Lord's.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, although back-to-back Ashes series seemed like a good idea for Australia when initially scheduled, it lost some of its gloss after the side's Indian misfortune and now increasingly looks bleak as Australia gets set to lose its sixth Test in a row, except Trent Bridge, by gaping margins.
Stating that the team is also facing the danger of losing even in the winter Ashes Down Under, the report said that the frailty of Australia's batting means it will find it hard not only to make enough runs to win, but to bat long enough to hold out for a draw, adding that rain is an unlikely rescuer given that this is one of the UK's driest and hottest summers.
The report further said that Australian bowlers, who looked tired and frayed as England added 62, cannot be expected to take all the wickets and make the runs, even in their best conditions, adding that Australia survived a day without botching a Decision Review System (DRS) referral, mostly because it did not make one.
According to the report, Australia's gains comprised two wickets, one from a bouncer and one from a long hop, adding that what passed for small triumphs for Australia like Ashes debutant Ashton Agar's 98, was deterioration in disguise, adding that its five left-handed batsmen, including the top three, look a easy mark for Graeme Swann's harvest.
Stating that Australia is fast proving to be the worst cricket team of that name to visit English shores, the report said that even though Australia has managed to keep on its composure despite their poor show, they look soon to be in danger of losing even that.
