Snapshots: Unlucky Anderson and Cummins's crawl

It's been well documented James Anderson's Ashes hoodoo, particularly his travails in Australia. A sluggish start to the series has not helped his perception. However, in conditions more reminiscent of his beloved UK, Anderson started to wickedly move the ball around in his best spell of the series.

Anderson had Australian batsmen Shaun Marsh and Tim Paine hopping as he claimed the pair twice lbw in seven balls. Unfortunately for him, the DRS overturned both on review to frustrate Anderson and halt England's determined bid to get back into the Test.

Marsh looked plumb lbw but the West Australian decided to go upstairs in what appeared to be a review in hope. However, DRS deemed the ball to be going over the stumps much to the shock of Anderson.

Moments later, Anderson trapped Paine, who reviewed - and much like his teammate replays showed the ball was heading over the stumps. Unlike Marsh's contentious review, Paine's overturn appeared more reasonable to accept for Anderson, who inevitably looked crestfallen by his wretched luck.

Anderson's misfortune seemed to affect him as he struggled as the day wore on. He finished with the figures of 1 for 74 from 31 overs, which simply wasn't good enough for England who badly needed their talisman to rediscover his best.

Painful Scare

Tim Paine, the Australian wicketkeeper, played four Tests in 2010 before finding himself in the Test wilderness until his bombshell Ashes selection. The Tasmanian was on the sidelines for a lengthy period after struggling to recover from a broken finger suffered in a Twenty20 game in 2010 when he was hit by a brute of a delivery from Dirk Nannes.

Paine's career was in the crossroads and he even contemplated retiring from First Class cricket as a Test comeback appeared a pipedream. After enjoying a fairy tale comeback, Paine's worst nightmares reared when he was hit twice on the gloves in the first session - seemingly on his bothersome finger. Clearly in discomfort, Paine winced and had to take his hand off the bat on several occasions.

During a drinks break, Paine received medical attention and took a couple of painkillers. He bravely continued batting and the medication appeared to do the trick as Paine rediscovered his belligerence to score a half-century - his first in Test cricket for seven years.

Marsh told reporters on Sunday (December 3) that Paine was "fine".

Cummins's Crawl

Pat Cummins can bat; he is known for being a typical tailender with a penchant for the tonk. In challenging conditions and in a determined effort to help Australia to a commanding first innings score, Cummins shed his innate instincts with the ultimate stonewalling effort. The quick continually blocked and prodded to frustrate England's flagging bowlers.

When he did look to score, Cummins couldn't pierce the field. It all meant he didn't score during his first 36 balls faced. Pressure was building as the crowd was waiting in anticipation for the breakthrough moment. Still, an unflappable Cummins remained unruffled before he ungainly guided the ball through gully for a boundary to open his account - which was greeted by a roar from the capacity Adelaide Oval crowd. He made 44 - overtaking his career high of 42 from a week ago - in a 99-run eighth wicket partnership with Marsh.

It might not have been pretty but Cummins again showed he is becoming a more than useful lower-order batsman. Much like Jason Gillespie and Peter Siddle from yesteryear, Cummins is adding gravitas to Australia's lower order. Cummins doesn't throw his wicket away and has a lot of pride in his batting; it is as if he is realising his talent with the bat.

After such an encouraging start to the series, Cummins is making strides as a genuine bowling allrounder and could earn a promotion to No. 8 sooner rather than later.