McDermott: We stuck to our tasks

Australia's bowling coach Craig McDermott was pleased with the way his charges kept on asking questions of England's batsman, despite struggling to take wickets initially.

<b>Australia's bowling coach Craig McDermott was pleased with the way his charges kept on asking questions of England's batsman, despite struggling to take wickets initially.</b>

England made their best start of the tour Down Under to date, adding 85 for the first wicket before Michael Carberry played a Ryan Harris delivery onto his stumps.

Three more wickets followed shortly after when Joe Root (4) Alastair Cook (72) and Kevin Pietersen (19) all lost their wickets by the time the score reached 146.

Although Ian Bell and Ben Stokes consolidated things somewhat, reaching 180 without further any further damage, McDermott was delighted with his bowlers.

"We started a bit rough with the ball, I suppose and not as full as I'd like. It wasn't the lines I'd like to see our guys bowling, either. We got our act together after the break," the former Aussie international told <i>Sky Sports.</i>

"Short-pitched bowling is not the way to go here. As a group, we were disappointed how we started but we turned that around this afternoon. Everyone bowled really well and the ball was swinging for us too.

"The last three or three-and-a-half hours, we bowled really really well and those crucial wickets in the last session was a great end to the day for us."

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While Mitchell Johnson, England's chief tormentor so far this series, went wicketless on the day, McDermott was happy with the way the rest of the attack responded.

"Watto (Shane Watson) is back to his best now and Nathan Lyon picked up Cook this afternoon from a cut shot with a bit of bounce – which is the second time in the series that's happened now.

"Everyone keeps chiming in with wickets for us and it's just a really good all-round attack from my point of view.

"As an ex-tail-ender, I wouldn't be too keen on facing him (Johnson). Tomorrow morning, we've got to bowl well, start well as we finished well today with the old ball. We'll hopefully get a wicket in those first 12 overs.

"I enjoy all facets of it (coaching). I like getting around the boundary and talking to guys and see how they're travelling and what plans they're thinking of. I just let them know that there's someone here that they can have a chat to.

"I think the contests have been really great and I hope it's something that never disappears from Test cricket. It's something I always liked to do as a bowler. I think it should stay and the guys are having a good time. It's good, aggressive cricket."

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