Alastair Cook says it’s too early for England to consider axing some of their under-performing Ashes stars after just one loss.
However, former Australian captain Ian Chappell says England should at least change their batting order for the second Test in Adelaide to get Jonathan Trott out of the firing line, replacing him at No.3 with Ian Bell.
Chappell believes Australia have inflicted a significant amount of psychological damage on the Ashes holders, particularly paceman Mitchell Johnson’s calculated targeting of Trott.
Bell was man of the series in the last Ashes in the UK, scoring three match-winning centuries batting at No.5.
Johnson has dismissed Trott five times in the last 40 balls he’s bowled to him across all forms, and it would appear one of England’s most steady batsmen is completely rattled by left-armer’s searing speed and bounce.
Chappell said it would be a harsh call to demote Trott who averages 46 at Test level.
But he believes England need to be proactive if they are to become just the third team in Ashes history to lose a first Test at the Gabba and go on to win the series.
“I’d be changing the batting order if I’m England but I’m not sure they will,” Chappell told cricinfo.
“To stem the bleeding a bit they’ve got to get Bell up there because to me Cook and Bell looked most comfortable against the real pace.
“For a bit of calmness and sending a good strong message back to dressing room, Cook and Bell are the two guys most likely to do it .. technically I’ve always thought Bell was a No.3.”
England’s experienced players have copped a backlash from the British press, with Test great Geoffrey Boycott believing wicketkeeper Matt Prior should be on his final chance in Adelaide.
The veteran keeper has made just three scores above 30 in the past six Tests.
Trott and even spinner Graeme Swann are also under pressure.
“(Matt) Prior’s … dismissals have been unbelievably bad,” said Boycott.
“There comes a moment in time when either he gets runs or he has to go. And for me this is his last chance.
“Jonathan Trott’s innings: what can I say that is printable?”
Captain Cook said England would be staying tight and denied his long-settled line-up was now under threat.
“I think it’s a little bit too early to say that,” he said.
“We have time to get away from it, really look at what we need to do to improve.
“We all need to be honest with each other as a group, it’s not just those three (Trott, Prior, Swann).”
