When Australia arrived in England, they did so as world champions and on form were expected to make a clean sweep of the one-day as well as the test series.
ADMIRABLE LEADERSHIP
But England led admirably by Mike Atherton and fielding some, young, enthusiastic and talented players have screwed up the kangaroos and if they maintain this form, now that they have taken that all important lead, should be hard to topple.
But then cricket is such a funny game, and now that the Aussies have had their pride shattered, they could come back fighting and with a vengeance, what with five more tests to go.
As for England they must now build on this grand victory. English cricket has for far too long been in the dumps. Now that they have got the dream start against their old foe they will do well to go for the kill.
Satisfying
In this Aussie debacle what would have been satisfying to captain Taylor, his team and supporters is his (Taylor's) superb striking of form with the bat, although it did not go to deprive England of victory.
Before this Test began, Taylor had been condemned by critics who were baying for his sacking.
Leading the barrage of criticism and demanding his removal as captain and player were, among others, three former Aussie captains, Ian and Greg Chappel, Allan Border and that famous Australian speed merchant Dennis Lillee.
FROM THE FRONT
On Taylor's poor form they cannot be faulted for asking for his scalp. But Taylor has, although his form with the bat had deserted him, been leading from the front and taken Aussie cricket to the pinnacle and had they (the critics) given this achievement some thought they probably would have tempered their criticism.
Before the First Test began, Taylor vowed to shut his critics mouth by scoring runs. Although he dug his grave deeper with a failure in the first innings, he rose from the dead as it were with a stylish, well played century that was full of character in the second innings to finally bury all his critics.
SICKENING FEELING
When he failed in the first innings, Taylor would have wished that the earth opened up and swallowed him. So bad would have been the feeling inside.
But then sport, cricket especially, is said to be the great leveller and this adage was proved once again. It also went to prove that failures are the pillars of success.
When Taylor took his walk to the wicket in the second innings, it would have been the longest and loneliest walk that any cricketer ever took. He would have felt as though he was walking to the gallows.
CRICKETING LIFE
And when he took strike, he was striking for his cricketing life. His hands would have been shaky and his feet rubbery as opposing skipper Atherton would be throwing everything at him to have him out early and his critics eagerly awaiting another failure.
But then fortune favours the brave it is said, and Aussie skipper Taylor, with an innings of great judgement and character played the innings of his life and in so doing would have been poking his bat into the mouths of his critics, shutting them up and getting them off his back with every run he was scoring. CONFIDENCE
True his innings failed to save his team. But it sure would have given them the confidence to fire from a position in the remaining tests.
In our 'Comment' on the day of the Test, we said that Taylor has taken unjust criticism and that he has the technique and temperament to come good in the Test. He has proved us right.