His bowling partner, by contrast, was outstanding in the first Test, almost single-handedly bowling his side to victory, since when he has tailed off significantly. Indeed since he dismissed Brad Haddin to end the first Test he has taken seven wickets in three matches, at 53 runs each, which includes Peter Siddle three times; Haddin, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon once each; and Shane Watson. In other words, only one batsman in the Australia top six, which for a new-ball bowler of his calibre represents significant underperformance.
So what to make of it? There is a theory that his efforts during Trent Bridge, especially his 14-over spell that drove England over the line, so depleted his energy resources that he has never fully recovered. This would not stack up either with his phenomenal level of bowling fitness, nor the empirical evidence that the management team possess. He, and all the bowlers, are carefully monitored and rested accordingly. Any doubts about his fitness to perform would have been addressed.