“Australia Resembled a school team” – Mark Butcher criticizes Pat Cummins and Co as England dominate on Day 2 of 4th Ashes Test.

Former England opener Mark Butcher expressed strong criticism of Australia’s performance in the field during the ongoing fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, Manchester. On Day 2, England dominated with the bat, amassing 384/4 in response to Australia’s 317. Butcher likened the Australian team’s performance to that of a school team and questioned the effectiveness of the Pat Cummins-led bowling unit.

During the innings, Zak Crawley (189) forged a formidable 121-run partnership with Moeen Ali (54) for the second wicket, and later added a staggering 206 runs for the third wicket with former England captain Joe Root (84), enabling England to take the lead. The trio dominated the Australian bowlers, leaving them struggling to contain the onslaught.

Butcher said “Australia Resembled a school team. Following the ball around, not being able to stick to one plan or another, not being able to bowl two deliveries in the same spot. England just gave them the run-around.”

England captain Nasser Hussain, Pat Cummins, the current Australian captain, fell short in leading from the front during a crucial period when his team needed him the most, saying “Often when you look down on the Australian side historically, you know who the captain is, whether it be Taylor, Border, Ponting Waugh. If you look down today, there will have been a lot of cricketers waving their arms around trying to help their captain.”