It would probably be unfair to say England’s batsmen looked scared facing Mitchell Johnson’s pace barrage on Saturday.
But if they were, who could blame them?
The paceman gave one of the great performances of Ashes history by claiming 7-40 as England were skittled for 172 in reply to Australia’s 9(dec)-570.
Johnson’s second consecutive five-wicket haul of the series moves the 32-year-old to 10th on the Australian wicket-takers list with 221.
And it pushes Australia into a winning position after day three of the second Test on a flat batting track at Adelaide Oval.
Leading by 398 runs on the first innings, Australia declined to enforce the follow-on and will resume on Sunday’s fourth day on 3-132, a lead of 530 runs.
Jimmy Anderson dismissed Chris Rogers (two) and Shane Watson (duck) and spinner Monty Panesar produced an unplayable ball to bowl in-form Aussie skipper Michael Clarke (22) at 3-65.
David Warner is unbeaten on 83 and Steve Smith is 23 not out after successfully overturning an lbw decision on seven.
History is against England.
No side has successfully chased down a target of over 315 in an Adelaide Test.
Resuming on 1-35 on Saturday morning, England’s middle-order woes continued when they went from 3-111 to 7-117.
England were overwhelmed once again by Johnson who claimed 5-12 in an 18-ball burst that will live long in the memories of those who witnessed it.
Australia had removed Joe Root (15), Kevin Pietersen (four) and Michael Carberry (60) – out to a stunning left-handed catch by Warner at square leg – in the first session.
The menacing Johnson – with his Dennis Lillee-like handlebar moustache – claimed three wickets in the third over after lunch.
Debutant Ben Stokes was lbw for one, Matt Prior was caught behind for a fourth-ball duck and Ashes villain Stuart Broad was bowled first ball.
Four overs later Johnson dismissed Graeme Swann (seven) caught at second slip and James Anderson bowled for a duck in consecutive balls at 9-135.
Ian Bell finished unbeaten on 72, adding 37 for the last wicket with Monty Panesar (two) who was Johnson’s seventh victim.
Johnson’s sizzling display after lunch was not even his best Test haul, which came when he took 8-61 against South Africa in December 2008 in Perth.
That’s where Friday’s third Test will be played and it’s where Johnson has taken 36 wickets at 19.66 in five matches.
Ashes great Terry Alderman said on ABC Radio Johnson reminded him of Aussie tearaway Jeff Thomson in the 1974-75 series.
