Malcolm Conn: Ed Cowan's job security under threat after another Aussie batting collapse

ENGLAND has again exposed Australia’s soft underbelly, with another batting collapse in the first Test leaving Australia on the brink of defeat.

Ed Cowan

ENGLAND has again exposed Australia’s soft underbelly, with another batting collapse in the first Test at Trent Bridge leaving Australia on the brink of defeat.

Australia must win the series to reclaim the Ashes and on the evidence so far winning a Test will be an achievement.

After collapsing to 9-117 in the first innings only the brilliance of a sparkling 98 by teenage debutant Agar kept Australia in the game.

He was promoted to number eight by Michael Clarke for the second innings, with hopes Agar will become a genuine all-rounder.

There is much that can be improved from this inconsistent performance but at least the spirit and intent Australia has shown this week is the sign of a team striving for success.

That they have regrouped after a dreadful year on and off the field is a credit to a team which looked a shambles just a few short weeks ago.

A litany of disasters and disappointments threatened to make the once mighty Australians a laughing stock.

But it takes more than spirit and intent to play quality spin or reverse swing.

Chief amongst Australia’s concerns is Ed Cowan. His double failure in this Test batting in a new position at number three could spell the end of his Test career.

It is not just that Cowan made a first ball duck and 14, it is also the way he was dismissed.

The left-hander’s two main attributes are supposed to be an ability to bat for long periods and sound judgement leaving the ball.

Carrying a stomach bug through this match Cowan has shown neither and his Test average is now down to 31 with just one century in 18 Tests.

In the first innings Cowan threw his bat at a wide ball to be caught in the slips and yesterday the left hander played an equally lose drive at the occasional off-spin of Joe Root to be caught at slip on the stroke of tea.

Root bowled just two overs yesterday.

The banning and now banishment of David Warner to Australia A’s tour of southern Africa has robbed Australia’s batting of an extra dimension, but reserve batsman Usman Khawaja is a class player who deserves another opportunity.

Lovely bloke that he is, it is difficult to see Australia moving forward with Cowan, 31, the way he is batting at the moment.

Too many times Cowan has made a start and failed to cash in, but then he is hardly alone committing that crime in the Australian side.

Shane Watson batted well for 46 but yet again failed to make a big score and his opening partner Chris Rogers was out for a well made 52.

Is it any wonder that new coach Darren Lehmann recently lamented the lack of centuries being scored at international and state level.

The season before Stuart Law forced his way into the team for his one and only Test, debuting with Ricky Ponting, he made four Sheffield Shield hundreds for Queensland.

If Law was in his prime today he would be one of the first picked for Australia.