Ashes 2017: Australia’s pace attack highlights what England lacked

JOSH Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Three names that highlighted the crucial difference in speed between England and Australia.

Australian bowlers (l-r) Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc celebrate securing the Ashes on Monday.

THEY say speed kills on the road but a lack of it is an even greater killer on a cricket field.

Speed talk was a major discussion of the post match press conferences after Australia won the Ashes but the most decisive word came from statisticians.

Statistic site Cricviz revealed that of the fastest 100 balls of the series, 97 were bowled by Australia and the agony for England was accentuated as Australia found more swing (.64 degrees compared to .54 degrees) and more spin as well.

That, essential means, game over.

Australian bowlers (l-r) Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc celebrate securing the Ashes on Monday.

England’s lack of pace means they are never safe. Incredibly, this Test was the third time in just over a year they have made more than 400 batting first and lost by an innings, an extraordinary statistic.

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Josh Hazlewood’s 5-48 was an appropriate sign-off as the WACA farewelled Test cricket which will move up the road next year to Optus Stadium.

“I think in Australia it (speed) certainly makes a difference on the flatter tracks where there is not much sideways movement,’’ Smith said.

“That extra air speed can make a big difference. We have worked really hard to make sure we have had these three big quicks on the park for this series.’’

English captain Joe Root lamented not so much a lack of speed but swing and seam which had left his side defenceless against the hawkeyed reflexes of Smith.

“We certainly have not been able to get as much movement as we would like,’’ Root said.

“Credit to the guys. They tried everything. It was not through lack of effort. They tried every plan. Different fields. Bowling straight. Hanging wide every now again.

Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood celebrates taking his fifth wicket against England on Monday.

“It felt like we did not leave anything to chance and I am proud of the effort. We have a very skilful talented bowling unit.’’

The worry for England is pace is something you either have or you don’t. Generally it is a natural born skill. When super quick England fast man Devon Malcolm bowled at the WACA in the 1990s the keeper was standing more than five metres further back than Jonny Bairstow was to England’s current brigade.

Coach Trevor Bayliss felt the fact that English wickets did not reward bowlers of standout pace could have been an issue but he had no idea of what to do to change things.