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Which tactic would you want your side to employ? Which one would keep the audience more entertained? Which would most critically move your team closer to victory?
All of these and more were raised on Day 2 of the fifth Test of Ashes. It made you stop and think several times. Australia eventually had a 12-run lead when they were bowled out for 295 runs.
In order to get some quality runs (283) on Day 1, England played aggressively, as they seem to do constantly these days.
Australia used a different strategy on Day 2. At the end of the 43rd over (during which Marnus Labuschagne was removed), they had increased from their overnight score of 61/1 after 25 overs to 91/2. One wicket, 30 runs, and 18 overs.
The fact that Labuschagne eventually had a strike rate of 10.97 (9 runs off 82 balls) contributed to the slowdown as well. Although the right-hander appeared to get a little bogged down, the bowling was terrific. It did, however, assist his team in surviving a trying time without losing too many wickets.
Because of England's "Baseball" strategy, no side that faces them will ever be concerned about the amount of time left in the match. Australia decided to attempt to dig in, whereas England had chosen to fling their bat at the ball. It just served to demonstrate that there are other paths that can lead to the same conclusion.
The outcome that your team is looking for is the solution here. Australia does not have to follow the English model. Instead, they should choose a strategy that they can adhere to wholeheartedly.
Australia progressed from 115/2 at lunch to 186/7 at tea as England rebounded from the gloomy opening session by taking five wickets.
