AUSTRALIA‘S worst Ashes fears were confirmed when their bowlers were innocuous, and the team’s once-feared killer punch vanished without a trace at the Gabba.
Starting the day, Ricky Ponting’s men had their hands around the throat of an under-fire England side; however, they soon released their grip, creating unsettling memories of the drawn first Ashes Test in Cardiff last year.
In a Vodafone Ashes series where two evenly matched teams will experience both triumphs and setbacks without significantly altering the balance of power, Australia cannot afford a day worse than Sunday.
During the day, opener Alastair Cook (132 not out) showed resilience while the determined skipper Andrew Strauss (110) spearheaded a strong defense, leaving England (1-309) heading into Monday’s closing act of the first Test with an 88-run lead.
Australia’s fast bowlers went wicketless, with part-time spinner Marcus North achieving the sole success.
If Australia’s frontline bowlers couldn’t secure a wicket on the fourth day in Brisbane, it raises concerns about how they will perform on the nation’s best batting pitch when the second Test begins in Adelaide on Friday.
Shane Watson lamented his team’s failure to maintain pressure on their opponents.
With three dropped catches, a drawn result is now a $1.05 betting favorite.
For England, that outcome would be nearly equivalent to a victory, given Australia’s history at the Gabba.