I am sure no one can deny what a thrilling Test match that was, and rightly stated it has set the 2009 Ashes ablaze!
I won't lie to you in saying I'll take the draw, I think we can count ourselves robbed on this one!
I am still a bit numb with the result and rather thrown off with the way things turned around. I mean, from Brett Lee and Shane Watson's injuries, and the string of upset's before the Ashes, you would get the feeling something had to not go in our favour! Not to mention the 2 hours play we lost on day 4.
Surprised we didn't take to the field earlier on Day 5, which would have been a more logical approach, as that is what happened in South Africa when bad light interupted play!
A win in Cardiff would have set us up brilliantly heading into the next Test at Lord's, but a heck of alot can be taken from this match.
Our team performed really well, and we can take alot from that as supporter's.
Our bowlers did give it their best, and our batsmen were unstoppable!
4 centurions, and Brad Haddin cashing in on his debut Ashes ton with Marcus North, was a really special achievement! Had's was in overdrive for that last fifty!
Sadly though, the number 10 and 11 kept us at bay after 5 days of aggressive Test cricket from the boys!
As Punter stated; "It depends how you look at it, I'm not looking at this as a let-down," he said. "I'm disappointed that we didn't win, but I'm not let down by the way we played. From the time we started batting there was only one team that could have won the game. From an hour left in the day's play, everyone here thought we would do that."
"We gave ourselves a great opportunity, we got extremely close, but stumbled at the last hurdle," "But I'm very proud of what the guys achieved. We proved a lot to ourselves." Source: Cricinfo
When I have a bit more energy on the matter I will give a better analysis and opinions regarding the result and looking ahead to Lords for the 2nd test.
But what I can say to all Australian supporter's is that, while the result is very dissapointing, it was an epic way to start the series from a fanatical perspective, and the way we performed in this Test, we are well on our way to being the best team in this series! ]
The team have to pick themselves up mentally and physically quite quickly though!
England will take momentum, but our cricket is on a much better platform!
Paul Collingwood's innings was most probably the most boring, uninspiring inning's I have witnessed, but to his credit if his top order had done the same, I would have credited his inning's as a really good one. 245 balls to make 74, I am pretty certain he didn't find concetrating in school very difficult with that stamina. What a graft!
Although we clearly have an edge on the English, it was like they had won the Ashes all over again! Laughable stuff, as well as that nonsense with the physio coming on at the end?!
If an Australian team rep has done such a thing you would never hear the end of it! That in itself was a poor show.
But, the game has hyped up the Ashes that extra bit and we can be sure to expect a very heated, fuming battle at Lord's!
Quite a bit has happened behind the scenes...controversial etc.
Mitchell and KP had a bit of a head to head, which may have been a part of Mitch just looking a bit off colour yesterday. I get the feeling it is more than just cricket, and have an idea what may be the extra pressure on Mitchell's mind.
Hilfy was on song, and I cannot wait for him to dig into the English top order at Lords! His line and length were consistent and his swing was exciting to watch! Ball of the day...bowling KP most definitly! Sid's showed hs aggression and deserved that last wicket, but couldn't get it! His figures did not reflect his efforts at all!
Nathan Hauritz bowled extremely well, and he will take a heck of alot of confidence from this match. Surprisingly the newer ball is what did him the world of good!
If Mitch gets into the correct rhythym, we will have a very fit and even stronger unit than the one in this Test! Our bowlers have yet to show their true colours.
Due to his batting efforts and incredible display of backward and forward defensive shots with Monty Panesar (making them overnight heroes), here is something worth checking, the James Anderson 'Drink Less, Miss Less with Jimmy Anderson' campaign.
CLICK HERE to see his campaign.
I must say that Monty did play those straight bat shots a bit better than a number 11 should. Clearly the batting buddy system is working for them.
More for you guys later. Meanwhile have your say!
I will also have something up for the Fan vs Fan campaign going on in England for the series. Jason 'Dizzy' Gillespie is our representative on that one!
6 comments:
From an English perspective, we got out of jail and that really sets up the rest of the series as if we'd lost after playing so badly we were looking at another 5-0.
Looks to me like we have two sides with fairly ordinary bowling attacks with Englands ever-brittle batting giving you guys the edge.
FC
Hi FC!
Thanks for sharing your perspective on things.
England made a mess up of their selection. 2 spinners was not needed, but then again there are few part-time bowlers besides collingwood. So from that angle, given the initial predictions for the pitch they felt it'd be wise. I thought from the get-go not selecting Harmisson was a mistake.
Our (Aus) bowlers just couldn't get the break-through at the end, and the England stalling tactic and defensiveness was alway going to be a tough one to crack on such a flat wicket by day 5. That 2 hours was costly, and rightly stated that the draw got England out the dog house.
4 Tests to go. The home of Cricket is next.
Give the ball to Onions! He at least makes me laugh ... and Sidebottom. Great names would inspire the Test matches to new heights.
But no in all seriousness I think the Poms will walk away with a sense of having SURVIVED and maybe that will make them look with a bit of new enthusiasm for the series.
I think they are going to depend very heavily on their fans to provide them some vocal support... or at least optimism that they are still in this test match.
I think if Brett Lee had been there, the poms would have been skittled.
I get the sense the English are still a top 6 batter shy - Prior should be one lower and the new batter needs to be able to come in ahead of Collingwood - not sure what their options are.
PS I think it was very one dimensional from the match referee and umpires not to try and make up the time on the last day.
Test cricket must remain a result oriented discipline. I know Punter was quite bleak about the changes of gloves and the physio stuff in the last few overs.
It is hard to fault the English for trying to go this way but from a results perspective .... hhhhmmmm
I think Australia should not feel too bad about it. England hardly showed up to play until the last day. I think they were busy watching the annoying "Ashes 2005" special that they had on for the 100th time! Please for GOD SAKE! yes! we know the ENGLISH won! Move on!
I agree with FC. Both teams do have an ordinary bowling attack. Although on paper, England did have the better attack on paper but after the first test, it seems like Australia has a slightly better attack but only slightly. I think the pitch made the bowling attacks look ordinary too.
Ian is right. I would've selected Harmison from the start. I wasn't too surprised that Australia was not able to get 20 wickets. They have had trouble getting them in the recent times. Anyhow, I like what one of the commentators said about Australia being defeated by the pitch, which does make alot of sense.
Thanks for all your comments guys
Yeah, I feel experience was needed on a wicket that became as dull as a wicket on the last day of a Test match in India! Our young bowlers were up against the wall for that last session.
And yeah, England are going on about this Test as if they won it. I think they should have rather cooled down and thought, 'we really are being heavily outplayed'!
TO Quote Marc:
"PS I think it was very one dimensional from the match referee and umpires not to try and make up the time on the last day.
Test cricket must remain a result oriented discipline. I know Punter was quite bleak about the changes of gloves and the physio stuff in the last few overs."
Spot on! Can't disagree, the time management was poor.
Well, two days till the next Test, so I am sure the guys are getting pumped up for the next one. Plenty to take into the 2nd Test.
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