There is still hope for England. After four sessions of the first Test, they were 99 runs ahead with nine wickets remaining in the second innings.
The dedication that followed from that point on left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth, none more so than the players.
However, given that the pink ball looks tough and the faster you bowl it, the more effective you appear to be, it puts England in a good position to make the most of the talent they have.
England’s fastest bowler, Mark Wood, played in a pink-ball Test on the last Ashes tour four years ago and proved a threat throughout the match, taking nine wickets.
He is not available this week, but England still have Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse – all capable of bowling at over 90mph – in their XI, while captain Ben Stokes can bowl at over 85mph.
Australia’s fascinating display in the first innings was the most sustained display of ‘fast’ bowling that I have seen from an England attack.
Former Australia internationals were commenting on how impressed they were with England’s bowling, and writers were sharpening their knives on defeating the home team.
If England’s bowlers can achieve the same aggression, pace and skill they had in Brisbane, there is no doubt that they can cause big problems for Australia.
Could England go head-to-head with Starc? If he regains the rhythm and confidence he showed in Perth, he can once again become a match-winner for Australia.
He will have to sleep dreaming of bowling with the pink ball.
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