Australians need to leave their egos in the dressing rooms to overcome shocking Ashes win record in England

AUSTRALIA has won one of its past 14 Ashes Tests in England, and Robert “Crash” Craddock says there’s a clear cause behind that shocking stat.

CARDIFF, WALES - JULY 09: Australia batsman Steve Smith leaves the field after being dismissed for 33 during day two of the 1st Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at SWALEC Stadium on July 9, 2015 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

AUSTRALIA has won just one of its past 14 Ashes Tests in England. It’s a stunning statistic and one which booms out a clear message.

It’s simply that Australia must be careful not to let its ego get in the way when it is playing in conditions that require patience.

MATCH REPORT: Now or never for Watson

Australia tried to bully spinner Moeen Ali out of the game overnight and paid the price as he took down Australia’s two best players of spin bowling, Steve Smith and Michael Clarke.

Not surprisingly, the man who did best for Australia on day two, Chris Rogers, was the player with the smallest ego, the one most willing to absorb the nuances of the conditions.

SNAPSHOT: Cook’s tears, Rogers’ cheers

England has shamelessly doctored the Cardiff pitch to slow the game down and blunt Australia’s attacking weapons, Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc.

Both are aggressive. Neither like having to defer to the conditions. It is not the Australian way.

But with bat and ball, Australia must show patience and be occasionally prepared to grind England down rather than simply unleash the mortar fire with bat and ball as they did in Australia.

Johnson may have struggled in the first innings but he will be much better suited at other venues and I am still backing him to be Australia’s leading wicket-taker for the series.

Don’t be surprised if Shane Watson becomes Australia’s top scorer tonight. This could be a big tour for him.

Originally published as Australians need to leave their egos in the dressing rooms to overcome shocking Ashes win record in England