For most of the third day there hadn't been a great deal of excitement for the 2nd Test if you were supporting Australia. Nathan Lyon hit right back though at the heart of the Windies to flip the match momentum right around. In less than an hour towards the close of the play his spin bowling turned things right around.
It's a reason why I can never doubt my team. It is equally a reason why I just love this form of the game.
We did have a delayed start because of a power failure at the venue which meant the DRS technology and resources would be ineffective. Therefore a delayed start and patient waiting game was the right decision. Fortunately it wasn't for too long but it gave everyone something to waffle about.
The way the day was wrapped up should have certainly lifted your spirits as an Australian supporter and provided a far more exciting talking point than the power disruptions.
Full scorecard via ESPN Cricinfo.com
- Australian 1st innings: 311 all out from 135 overs. Michael Hussey 73 (207), Shane Watson 56 (172), Michael Clarke 45 (99).
- West Indies 1st innings: 9-252. Nathan Lyon 5-68, Ben Hilfenhaus 1-39, Michael Hussey 1-19, James Pattinson 1-40.
Bowling for the lead:
Darren Bravo had started the day off with world class shots and cracking placement for all to see. The commentators continued to create their own confusion. At times they weren't sure what era of West Indian cricket they were in as Tony Cozier in particular referred the Bravo as "Lara" on a number of occasions, obviously drawing the similarities between Bravo and Brian Lara to the viewers attention.
His dismissal was exciting though as it was Michael Hussey who took it. It's Huss' 5th Test wicket for the years 2011 and 2012 combined. Not bad for a guy who has sent down a little more than 50 overs as a part time bowler. He managed to trap Bravo LBW and the Windies were 4 down. Huss is having a really good Test.
The one thing of the day we wanted to avoid ended up happening. It wasn't the rain. No...it was Shivnarine Chanderpaul managing to hang on for 217 minutes of play and scoring 94 runs. He was so crafty during his defiant stand this it was a little bit of a pity he didn't get his century. Usually I am not to fussed if we get an opposition batsman out in the nineties but Shiv has just been so classy against us over the years.
Chanderpaul is always going to be one of our toughest competitors and he's so good in the Caribbean. A bit like India's VVS Laxman, Chanderpaul saves his best for us. He'd also had his fair share of luck but when his luck did run out, so did his teams.
An interesting stats is that Shiv has only been dismissed 3 times in the 90s during his 18 year Test career. Impressive statistic for a player who has scored 25 centuries and 56 half-centuries during this span.
It must be said that the bad luck on our part was mighty frustrating during the Windies 5th wicket partnership. An outside edge went down at first slip and not because Michael Clarke made a mess of things. It was actually because the ball just brushed of Matt Wade's left pad causing an awkward deflection.
There were numerous edges and mistimed hits that didn't carry or drifted into the gaps. There was even a chance of a run out but the frame-by-frame side view showed Deonarine was just over when the bails were removed. This was one ball before lunch and their partnership would live on a while longer.
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| © AFP |
Nathan Lyon was finally rewarded for his hard work but I don't think he was anticipating the 5 wicket haul.
It was almost as if he stalked the Windies as a Lion would stalk its prey in the wild. After patience and some misfortune it finally went his way and ended up bringing the game right back into our control.
Having seen the highest 5th wicket partnership (130 runs) for the Windies against Australia at Queen's Park Oval, Narsingh Deonarine cruised down the track with a stride that was too big and the perfect turn and bounce from Lyon off the track defeated him. The partnership was broken. It resulted in the 1st stumping for Matthew Wade in his Test career.
Nathan struck soon after with the prize wicket. It was Chanderpaul and it was another LBW decision. No reviews were on hand but it was gone anyways. Ian Gould took his time to make the decision. That dismissal meant all five of the Windies top batsmen were dismissed LBW by five different bowlers.
The madness continued as Darren Sammy did what he's recently done quite effectively and that is bash it with all his might. All he did was give Nathan Lyon his 3rd wicket presenting Michael Hussey with the catch in the deep. Safe and sound. Shane Shillingford was caught at short leg having tried to show some aggression like Sammy.
The 5th wicket for Lyon came when Kemar Roach seemed to get the faintest of edges trying to nudge one down leg side but Matt Wade took a sharp catch. At first the appeal wasn't all that convincing that anything had happened but the finger went up. It's gave him his 2nd five wicket haul in 12 Tests. Proud of him.
What a come back, what a sensational turn around in the days play for the Baggy Greens!
The verdict:
The Baggy Greens remarkable final session of play brought 5 wickets for just 64 runs. It could be a huge turning point in the context of the match with two days to go. It gives us the honors for day 3.
The lead is 59 runs and I am confident the boys can come out tomorrow and get the 1 wicket needed to get our batsmen out there as they try give a big boost to the lead.
Unfortunately bad light and rain is a given this match. If the rain can hold out then there's most definitely a chance for a result with the way the final session panned out. The result is still pending for either side but it's in our advantage right now.
Should the game end up being a draw, we could be looking at the same pattern as the 2008 Frank Worrell Trophy where we went victory, draw, victory (2-0).
It could happen again but we still have some more cricket to look forward to. The twists and turns of Test cricket ensures you're kept guessing.
Observation made:
Ricky Ponting gave Nathan Lyon a pat on the back with some serious encouragement on the boundary ropes just as the boys were heading off for the lunch break. Whatever Punter said may have just kept Nathan plugging away for those well deserved wickets.
That internal communication and motivation is vital for this side and it's important to keep the belief high as luck, opportunity and Clarke's tactical execution could pay off in any session.
It was almost as if he stalked the Windies as a Lion would stalk its prey in the wild. After patience and some misfortune it finally went his way and ended up bringing the game right back into our control.
Having seen the highest 5th wicket partnership (130 runs) for the Windies against Australia at Queen's Park Oval, Narsingh Deonarine cruised down the track with a stride that was too big and the perfect turn and bounce from Lyon off the track defeated him. The partnership was broken. It resulted in the 1st stumping for Matthew Wade in his Test career.
Nathan struck soon after with the prize wicket. It was Chanderpaul and it was another LBW decision. No reviews were on hand but it was gone anyways. Ian Gould took his time to make the decision. That dismissal meant all five of the Windies top batsmen were dismissed LBW by five different bowlers.
The madness continued as Darren Sammy did what he's recently done quite effectively and that is bash it with all his might. All he did was give Nathan Lyon his 3rd wicket presenting Michael Hussey with the catch in the deep. Safe and sound. Shane Shillingford was caught at short leg having tried to show some aggression like Sammy.
The 5th wicket for Lyon came when Kemar Roach seemed to get the faintest of edges trying to nudge one down leg side but Matt Wade took a sharp catch. At first the appeal wasn't all that convincing that anything had happened but the finger went up. It's gave him his 2nd five wicket haul in 12 Tests. Proud of him.
What a come back, what a sensational turn around in the days play for the Baggy Greens!
The verdict:
The Baggy Greens remarkable final session of play brought 5 wickets for just 64 runs. It could be a huge turning point in the context of the match with two days to go. It gives us the honors for day 3.
The lead is 59 runs and I am confident the boys can come out tomorrow and get the 1 wicket needed to get our batsmen out there as they try give a big boost to the lead.
Unfortunately bad light and rain is a given this match. If the rain can hold out then there's most definitely a chance for a result with the way the final session panned out. The result is still pending for either side but it's in our advantage right now.
Should the game end up being a draw, we could be looking at the same pattern as the 2008 Frank Worrell Trophy where we went victory, draw, victory (2-0).
It could happen again but we still have some more cricket to look forward to. The twists and turns of Test cricket ensures you're kept guessing.
Observation made:
Ricky Ponting gave Nathan Lyon a pat on the back with some serious encouragement on the boundary ropes just as the boys were heading off for the lunch break. Whatever Punter said may have just kept Nathan plugging away for those well deserved wickets.
That internal communication and motivation is vital for this side and it's important to keep the belief high as luck, opportunity and Clarke's tactical execution could pay off in any session.
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3 comments:
Saw the highlights some good wickets for Lyon. Warner's first ball was shown, looked pretty good just a shame he doesn't seem to be getting more overs.
I would like to see him bowl more. Usual story is that persistence leads to improvement. He bowled a few shockers but leg spinners will always have a few slip out with too much flight or bowl it short due to gripping it too hard.
Lyon was insane. Hope it will be a quick start for todays play to get that wicket.
Hoping for a big input from Warner, Cowan and Watto.
Warner just needs to attack the spinners. Boost that confidence.
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