Australian 1st innings: 397 all out
Shaun Marsh 148, Steven Smith 100
Dale Steyn 4-78
South African 1st innings: 206 all out
AB de Villiers 52*
Mitchell Johnson 7-68, Nathan Lyon 2-38
Australian 2nd innings: 4/290 declared
David Warner 115, Alex Doolan 89, Shaun Marsh 44
South African 2nd innings: 200 all out (Target 482)
AB de Villiers 48
Mitchell Johnson 5-59, Ryan Harris 2-35
Mitchell Johnson started the Ashes series with 205 wickets from 51 Tests.
After this Test he now has 254 wickets from 57 Tests, 49 wickets added to the collection. This Test match he has taken a career-best 12 wickets, a phenomenal achievement and done so against the number one ranked side. It was all too easy against England? I think the hard answers were smashed into the grills of the pessimists as Mitchell Johnson delivered another scary spell against the Proteas, the most fearsome since the 90s. Remember it, embrace it!
It was no surprise these scintillating performances with the ball earned Mitch the Man of the Match award (the 9th award in his Test career). Of his last 6 Tests he has claimed the award four times.
The spells were frightening, devastating, and more than enough to put Mitchell Johnson into the ranks as one of the most fearsome bowlers in the history of the game. I hope viewers realise what they saw this summer and in this game against South Africa. It rarely comes along and when it does it should be engraved into your memory banks. This game reminded me of his spell at Kingsmead, Durban, 2009. Initially that is. Well done Mitch.
Besides Mitch, the difference was evident. Our batsmen showed that gritty determination on display during the Ashes. The result was three centurions at Centurion (Shaun Marsh 148, Steven Smith 100, David Warner 115), a debutant who held his nerve superbly (Alex Doolan 27, 89), a bowling unit who presented synergy amongst some minor fatigue, and fielding standards carried on from where they were raised to the highest of benchmarks over the Australian summer.
Chris Rogers will be the one man who will feel disappointed with his output. He never looked settled and struggled to showcase the patience and caution he usually displays to see off the new ball. It was uncharacteristic and I hope to see a stronger performance from him.
The day started off though with the Proteas batsmen surely knowing they'd have a rough time out there. Variable bounce, good pace off the track, and a bowling attack ready for the kill.
Morne Morkel was terrific with the ball as the day began, but simply demonstrated to Michael Clarke what the track had to offer for day 4 and lead to a very quick declaration. Shaun Marsh didn't add to his overnight score of 44, but his simple prod at the ball to get caught behind indicated there was little intention to go out to claim more runs to the already monstrous lead. With Morkel's demo done, Clarkey called for the declaration and the proceedings began for The Baggy Greens to take the win, draw first blood of the 3-match Test series.
It didn't take long. Alviro Petersen has been playing away from his body, a trigger movement to his leg stump, and Mitchell Johnson hasn't let him settle. His dismissal was inevitable with this technique, very well analysed by Shaun Pollock in the commentary box versus the way AB de Villiers handled himself.
Alex Doolan had a brilliant debut. Besides his composure of day 3, his catches taken at short leg were freakish to say the least. The most bizarre factor was the way he actually got his hands into a position to take the catches. It didn't just seem to be pure reflex, but someone with freakish reflexes who instinctively went for the catch. Simon Katich was very good in the position, as was the original player I watched under the helmet - David Boon. Alex Doolan has quickly taken a likening to the role and helped Mitch grab two wickets, the big one of Graeme Smith and then JP Duminy.
Mitchell's damage of the day was that of his wicket taking. However, physical intimidation included smashing a bouncer into Hashim Amla's grill, first ball which nearly took his helmet straight off.
Ryan McClaren had ducked and weaved quite well until he ducked into a fast ball back of a length from Mitch. It bashed into the side of his head and drew blood from his ear. The battle is exciting, but it is a bit sickening when something like that happens. Even the bowler who executes the pain doesn't like it, but that is the game and that is the job of the intimidator. Cricket is a tough game and a red ball coming at you around 150km/h is terrifying.
After the break, McClaren was dismissed shortly after and would have been quite pleased to get off the ground and ease the pounding in his head. Hope he recovers okay.
Vernon Philander took a delivery onto his finger, then his bat broke.
Mitchell's job was done with another 5 wickets in the bag. Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle finished proceedings. Both of them have done a grand job this Test, nothing too flash or overly effective, but that effectiveness has come from tight bowling with little pressure release from their duties. Both looked a little down on energy but I still have high expectations of these two experienced campaigners.
Sids was able to vary the seam and get variable bounce off the track, especially with fuller paced bowling, while Ryano was like a metronome. This output gave him the reward of Hashim Amla's wicket. Craig McDermott's 101 plan.
The victory came in good time, with the boys having one day extra to rest their bodies, clear their minds and prepare for a quick turnaround before the Test down in Port Elizabeth.
Since South Africa's readmission into sports only one Test has been played in PE, St George's Park, which we won. Mark Waugh took the Man of the Match award after a century which ensured we were able to squeeze out a victory by 2 wickets. I remember it very well.
It's a good vibe when games get played at St. George's. Usually there's a band belting out some regular anthems and it should make the atmosphere at the smaller ground a good advertisement in a big clash for both sides. We look to take the series, South Africa look to stay alive.
So, it the next venue has some history in our favour as the boys will fight hard to go 2-0 up and claim another Test series in South Africa. Newland's hasn't been a good hunting ground for us, but we ended South Africa's good run at Centurion and have gained momentum to go 1-0 up.
Tough work ahead still in my opinion and I hope our bowlers rest up well to be ready to do it all again on Thursday.
Verdict: Proud to write we took each day of this Test. Very happy.
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Showing posts with label Peter Siddle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peter Siddle. Show all posts
15 February 2014
18 December 2013
The Baggy Green team that regained the urn
I wrote many times that we would win the Ashes. I noted that if our batting clicked into place we would win as it would give our bowlers consistent opportunities to defend totals of competitive substance, rather than defend totals in desperate attempts to stay in the game. Consistency was a key, as was self-belief, balancing experience and upcoming players. Fortunately, this time around it occurred and it proved the theory, finally. However, having stated this I will also be honest that I did go into this Ashes series with few expectations, reserving this execution of a winning recipe to be handled by our team day by day. No expectations creates a better platform for a team with a new coach reigniting the concept of pride and fun for the players and supporters. I kept this in mind and now in hindsight I am glad I took this approach with my writing in the build up to this series.
Here is my article looking at the team that has led us to an Ashes victory in 2013. More discussion via the Facebook page.
I had zero objections with this side heading into the Ashes. I wanted an unchanged unit because, as the word "unit" intends, unity comes from consistent selection policies. This was followed and as a result this team is the most united Australian team in many years. Even before we took that final wicket to bring the urn back (although not officially form Lord's) there was a strong sense of unity amongst the team. It's so uplifting.
Mitchell Johnson (23 wickets at 15.47, BBI 7-40, BBM 9-103/ 147 runs at 49.00, HS 64) has been praised for his performances. It seems as if he is the only man in this team though. I think this is both unfair and hypocritical on the media's behalf. Mitch has been treated like trash from the media in particular in the past. The way it's being portrayed by them (the media) one would think his efforts, while absolutely remarkable and rare to witness (Brisbane & Adelaide), were the only occurrence of excellence this Ashes series.
I am so proud of Mitch. I cannot emphasise this enough. There is no shame on my part that a few years back I wrote an article that the gap between his best (match winning) and worst was too great for the harsh nature of Test cricket. He is a confidence player and in a team environment with constant change and high expectation on him to show up like the star player, game in game out, was unfair and harsh upon his character. It was not enough to develop him. Limited overs cricket was a much better platform for him to rebuild his confidence for two reasons.
Firstly, it is a form of the game that is not as harsh a reality as Test cricket, allowing shorter bursts and erratic bowling spells to still produce erratic results. This came to light during Mitchell's IPL stints then his tour to India a few months ago.
Secondly, it would give him chance to still be a member of the Australian Cricket team and also allow him time to balance limited overs duty with State duty to rebuild his confidence across a variety of formats and realign both his focus and objectives. This was to return as a Test cricketer with performances to back his return and of course win an Ashes series to put away all that criticism and degrading he had to endure.
The time away from the game at the elite level was the best thing for him and now we see Mitchell Johnson, confident, refreshed, focused, settled, but most importantly backed by both a united team and bowling attack. The leadership is strong and Mitch is thriving. The environment is better able to accommodate his bowling nature. The results say it all. Welcome back mighty Mitch!
Despite this return, Mitch was backed by a consistent bowling unit consisting of Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson and Nathan Lyon. Their input made Mitchell's performances possible and they all played a massive role in the result that sees us 3-0 up. That is why I find it unfair to put it all on Mitch, which also creates unfair expectation on him - a reason that led to his initial fall from great (media) heights. Time for people to get some perspective on what is a team sport and what was a bloody special team effort it has been!
Ryan Harris (12 wickets at 23.58/ 76 runs at 38.00, HS 55*) suffers through grueling body aches and the fear he could break down at any point. He still continues to take his catches, dive in the field, save boundaries, train hard, and above all do his primary job which is to charge in and bowl a ball around 140 - 145 km/h with swing. He hasn't been red hot but he's contributed, notably removing Alastair Cook for a golden duck at the WACA in England's 2nd innings. Cook was coming off a well fought half-century in the 1st innings and Ryano ensured the most beautiful delivery ended his contribution for the Test. It was massive.
Peter Siddle (11 wickets at 22.09) gets criticised, at times justifiably, for his lack of variation. Where he makes up for the tricks of the trade, is a burning ambition to succeed and unrivaled passion to play for the Baggy Greens.
When a track is dead, he finds something out of nothing on many decks and is able to bowl a line that probes and attacks a batsman whether they decide to defend or attack. He keeps coming at you and in times when the opportunities look slim he can pull out enough energy to pick the troops back up.
There is evidence that in times when desperately needed he hasn't been able to put in significant performances, but for Siddle to succeed you need bowlers around him with good pace, natural variation and a strong understanding of their duties. This is why he may appear the leader of the pack with a younger bowling unit, but they lack the experience and understanding Mitchell and Ryano have. With these factors he can play with greater significance. A few years back the combination with Ryano and Ben Hilfenhaus against India further proved this theory of mine.
He is a work horse and teams need those men. We have Siddle and this man was able to work over Kevin Pietersen - England's danger man - to the point where we have contained KP and the English critics want him gone. He has also rattled Matt Prior and these bunnies essentially add to the psychological demolition of the opposition. Personal battles but successful to come back to the concept of synergy. Sids is a big player and it's hard to not select him on this basis.
Nathan Lyon (10 wickets at 31.40) was only ever going to succeed through consistent selection. The more he bowls the better he gets, the more pitches he plays on, the more it forces him to look at his abilities (or enhance them). He initiated the collapse of England's batsmen yesterday and as a result we won the Ashes quicker than anticipated heading into the lunch break. It was a passage of play that may have defined him, just as Steve Smith's century in the 1st innings was a coming of age, the innings that has ultimately become his career defining moment.
Nathan took a 5fer on debut. He has struggled too, don't get me wrong. Many felt he didn't deliver when needed, but he has always been the right man for the job and until you've played as a spinner in multiple conditions against the best of the best, along with a winning team, it is a bloody tough initiation. He has come out on top and John Inverarity and his panel deserve the respect for this. We lacked consistency from the awful Hilditch regime and we have had this with the one position we were lost on. The spin bowler.
To add to Nathan's success as a spinner, a solid wicket keeper is needed. Enter Brad Haddin (15 catches, 325 runs at 65.00, HS 118, x1 century & x3 fifties from 5 innings) who, like Mitchell, was facing a high hill to return.
Matt Wade deserved his opportunities for us, I have no doubt about it. He had ticked all the boxes to make the Australian side and entered the mix at a time when Brad was going through a horrible time off the field which brought his game into a state of demise. His standards were low and it was not his time. Every player has a period of pain and this was his - sadly with personal matters as well which he fought through strongly for his family. That was the ultimate victory for Brad. Forget cricket.
Yet, when Matt Wade started to show chinks in his armor and Tim Paine still on the mend after his finger injury, Brad reawakened and raised the benchmark higher than his standards have been in years. The result was a keeper/batsman of an elite standards. Forget Adam Gilchrist, what you have seen here is a performance that most teams would give anything for from their keeper. Brad has delivered and he saw the opportunity for a return and made it count big time.
His keeping to Nathan Lyon's bowling was brilliant, with a technique Ian Healy waxed lyrical about from the outset. This has aided Nathan's output immensely and for this Hads must be added to the reward we have seen from our spinner. It is also a reason why Hads is, at present, my stand out player of the series.
His batting has been Michael Hussey like. He has stepped up when the team was in desperate need of a big innings and he's crushed England's winning edge, which in previous years would have not materialised. He's executed rescue missions and shown belief in our lower order.
A century at the Adelaide Oval, a near miss in Brisbane, performances in every other innings and then his partnership with Steven Smith in the 1st innings of the WACA Test. It all points to invaluable input with the bat from our keeper. England have not had this and it's been another huge difference between the teams.
Brad Haddin has been sensational and enhanced other players performances. Synergy once again.
Our batting has been hit and miss at times (a few small collapses requiring some remedy) but consistent in the fact that every single batsman, including newbie George Bailey, has stepped up as opposed to just Michael Clarke, which has been the case for too long.
David Warner (457 runs at 91.40, x2 centuries, HS 124) has become the top order destroyer we have missed since Matthew Hayden. He will have his blue patches but his cockiness has been most appreciated and his self-belief nothing but extraordinary when consider what this man went through off the field in recent months. It's been a personal relationship off the field that has helped him through this dark passage in his career and now look. It's a great sporting story.
He's been brutal with the bat and has now bagged two centuries, along with some high class fielding standards - another major difference between the two sides. Catches win matches but they also separate teams in terms of standards. Mike Young is back in the mix and his impact has been noticed.
Chris Rogers (156 runs at 26.00, 4 catches) hasn't scored a century but I don't care. I called for his selection in 2009, as I did now in 2013 before the English Ashes series. We needed to stick with him and once again the selectors have done so. He is the ideal partner for David Warner at the crease. He has experience, a well grounded game, and is able to quite likely put the right advice and encouragement into David Warner's mind in the battle zone.
I said I had few expectations heading into this series but right now I do have expectations of Chris to deliver big time in the final two Tests. I see a place for him in this team while Phillip Hughes continues to dominate the State field, and young batsmen like Nic Maddinson, Joe Burns, and Jordan Silk fine tune their craft for a while longer.
Chris, like Ryan Harris and Brad Haddin, realised that this was his final chance to quite likely be a member of a winning Ashes series. Ryano and Hads have endured one too many and now they have it. This was evident in the emotion Ryano displayed during the post-match celebration as his voice cracked and he held back the tears of relief. A raw moment in this harsh but great game.
Michael Clarke (331 runs at 55.16, x2 centuries), well, not much to write on this front as I have blurted it all before. He is our best batsman, recently winning the 2013 ICC Cricketer and Test Player of the Year awards.
He has executed his tactics well, rotated his bowlers on song, and he's used his referrals far better than the previous series with the DRS. Up until the match was won, Clarkey was the only player to have experienced a winning Ashes series. Now he is the leader of a winning Ashes campaign and he can be mighty proud of that coming in his 100th Test match.
Steven Smith (186 runs at 37.20, HS 111, 5 catches) had his coming of age with his century in the 3rd Test. He turned his public profile around in England, improving his reputation as a middle order batsman, specialist fielder and part-time spin bowler, as opposed to the variety of tags given to him upon his early Test appearances which did him more damage than good. He was all over the place as to what role he should play but once again, thanks to the selection panel and some brilliant performances from Steven for New South Wales, his position has been clarified.
He put in the performances at State level, which followed an Ashes campaign where we saw his drastic turnaround in his indentity as an Australian cricketer. It is still a very long road ahead for him and time is well on his side to become a solid Australian batsman. Below is what I had to write regarding his century of 111 runs.
It was about Steven Smith's century though which saw him roar in triumph to see his team through to stumps. A man given his Baggy Green too soon with an undefined role, has stepped back and crafted his own game over time. He is now becoming a Test batsman.
Well done youngster, well done!
The innings, from what I have analysed, was a mature one, seeing him leave many deliveries that needn't be played or were simply too tempting to nudge, and then picking the right ones to blaze away with no complacency. He didn't deliver in a dull moment, he did so when we seriously needed it. His pitch map tells a tale too, how many deliveries on a good length were simply dot balls. Patience folks, patience.
This was a massive moment, alive and fuming, demanding Smith to be the master and control it. He needed to secure it and he did so. This is about winning back the Ashes and in the past these small victories in these passages of play have not been present - or have come too late. This is day 1 against an English team low on confidence. This century could prove to be something very significant.
Then there is George Bailey (136 runs at 34.00, HS 53, 6 catches). Put into the team on the basis of limited overs form in India where he lead the side and dominated with the bat. It was a strange selection basis given his first class stats didn't quite stack up but he does have experience, and a good characteristic is he always has a smile on his face, loves his cricket and tries his best.
He took his catches for us, tried to play aggressive cricket - the brand the team is publicly promoting - and even found himself smashing James Anderson around the WACA to level with Brian Lara's most runs scored off an over in Test cricket - 28 runs.
Then finally there's Shane Watson (200 runs at 33.33, x1 100, x1 50, HS 103, 3 wickets) who found himself under fire for once again making starts and not converting or finding ways to gift away his wicket. Fortunately for Watto's confidence he was delivering maiden overs for us (35% of his overs have been maidens with an economy rate of 2.73) and has found ways to build pressure from his end just taking pace of the ball to keep the batsmen in no mans land, while also scrapping 3 wickets.
His batting came out with the desired result. A century with some big powerful shots. Although we were well ahead of England we still needed something else on the back of David Warner's ton, an innings that would crush England's presence on the field. Watto's innings did so and it was a spectacle to behold.
Shane Watson does have a poor conversion rate, he's never lived up to the potential that he definitely possesses and he knows it. Unfortunately, he has endured injury issues since his teenage years which has affected him but, as Brett Lee did so, he has found ways to reinvent himself and come back time and time again. That takes serious mental toughness. He finally has experienced winning as Ashes series and delivered when the team needed him too. Some may say one occasion too few, but I also say better late than never on the cricket field.
Watto is also one of the most respectful players come the supporters. Always taking time to talk to them, greet them, listen to them and play his role off the field with those who show up to back the team. This has always made me wish him all the success possible for our team. He's shown up in the Ashes and that is what has counted most.
After all I have written above, essential the differences between the sides is easily noticed in short:
- we had a bowling unit with more pace,
- we had a strike bowler high on confidence,
- a bowling unit with enough variation (well mentored by Craig McDermott),
- a wicket keeper showcasing elite standards who helped enhance our spin bowlers output
- our top order found centurions (7 versus England's 1 - Ben Stokes)
- we held our catches and had unbelievable intensity in the field versus England
- and of course this aggressive brand of cricket was backed by home support on home turf.
We still have two Tests to play, followed by a series against South Africa, in South Africa. This means that even though this is a special feeling to have regained the urn and one to embrace, there is a hell of a lot of hard work ahead for the players and the supporters and we shouldn't get too far ahead. This game can change very quickly.
They (the team) need our support to continue through the highs and the lows. They know the battle goes on and that for now the focus is 5-0 and a continual push for consistency as come the series against South Africa, we may have the urn but they have the number one Test ranking, something we dearly want. More about this come the eve of that series, but for now it is just wonderful to see my team united and playing positive cricket.
When one man has a tough day, another man is fighting his hardest to have a beauty of a day. And best of all is that man who has the tough day is getting the support from his team mates and the coach, Darren Lehman. We, as the supporters, need to back them all and let's just hope that concept of unity continues to grow. It's great to have the winning edge again, embrace it and enjoy it.
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16 December 2013
The Ashes, 3rd Test, day 4
The Ashes, 3rd Test, day 4, Perth
Australia won the toss and elected to bat. England require 253 runs with 5 wickets in hand, 1 day of play remaining.
AUS 1st innings: 385 all out from 103.3 overs.
Steven Smith 111*, David Warner 60, Brad Haddin 55, Mitchell Johnson 39.
Stuart Broad 3-100, James Anderson 2-60
ENG 1st innings: 251 all out after 88.0 overs
Alastair Cook 72, Michael Carberry 43
Ryan Harris 3-48, Peter Siddle 3-36, Mitchell Johnson 2-62
AUS 2nd innings: 6/369 from 87.0 overs
David Warner 112, Shane Watson 103, Chris Rogers 54, George Bailey 39*
Tim Bresnan 2-53
ENG 2nd innings: 5/251 from 67.0 overs
Ben Stokes 72*, Ian Bell 60, Kevin Pietersen 45
Shane Watson 1-31
Verdict: We require a possible 4 wickets to win back the urn tomorrow on 17 December 2013. If Stuart Broad decides to do a Graeme Smith we will need 5. Our bowlers looked fried this afternoon, so a good rest and the ultimate reality that tomorrow these guys could win us back that urn should be enough for them to bowl like their lives depend on it.
I have waited since 2009 to live this moment after we lost the urn to England. I have supported the boys through some of the lowest lows in Australian crickets modern history and it will be an extra special feeling to see us win tomorrow and be proud to have documented that support right here on this site since 2008.
We lead by 253 runs. Discipline and strong comradery will hopefully see us snuff England.
Play: Shane Watson needed to arrive at the Ashes with the bat in hand. He made a half-century at the Adelaide Oval with extreme patience. At the WACA he went into limited overs mode and it was a pretty brutal display. I commented how the spirit of Adam Gilchrist from 2006/07 was lurking around and took over David Warner yesterday. It would seem it took a hold of Watto today.
This century was his 2nd versus England, his 4th in his Test career. It could have been one of many but Watto has had issues in converting. However, those at the WACA were treated to strong power hitting and a reminder why it is hard to leave Shane Watson out of a starting XI. It is frustrating his raw talent has never been truly delivered in his all-rounder capacity (owed to injury too), but when you see it, it is very special to watch.
His dismissal was very comical after he skied a delivery off Tim Bresnan's bowling. Ian Bell spilled an easy chance just off the track around the region of silly mid-off, walked away livid with himself, only for Bresnan to pick up the ball and throw down the stumps at the non-strikers end. Watto was convinced Bell would catch him out and starting walking off the ground. When Bell dropped it he turned his back oblivious to the fact Watto was now in line for a new form of dismissal in the moment - a run out. A comedy of errors and there was a tender moment between Bell and Bresnan. Reminded me of AB and Big Merv.
George Bailey had some fun of his own.
With the declaration around the corner he brought in some limited overs destruction as he smashed James Anderson for 28 runs. This leveled the record for most runs in an over in Test cricket. The record is held by the legend Brian Charles Lara. George was put in the side based on first class experience (not necessarily his stats which aren't jaw dropping) but also his strong confidence and power hitting in India a while ago. He has brought something to the table and the crowds were entertained one time!
The declaration came and England were set 504 to win.
Ryan Harris has looked a bit flat at times, but given his injury issues he's fighting like a trooper for us and I am so proud of him. His delivery to remove Alastair Cook was simply enough as far as I am concerned. A ball that darted into the left hander off a good length just clipped Cook's off stump and we had a prize scalp. It was Cook's first golden duck facing the first ball of an innings and it was the perfect start.
There was some frustrating resistance from England though, don't get me wrong.
Our bowlers have had to work bloody hard in partnerships to keep fighting. In that heat and getting that sort of undesired resistance from an opposition only now starting to show up would result in fatigue for any bowler. Still, our fielding was absolutely first class gold and it just ensured our intensity was burning throughout.
The new ball will come our way in 13 overs if England hold out. This should bring Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson into the game. Resistance will be futile when that happens one would think, also looking at that WACA surface.
Each wicket that came was worked for and when we had the wicket of Kevin Pietersen I was ecstatic - what a catch at long on by Ryano! When we removed Ian Bell - the big wicket - I roared in a way my vocal abilities have never experienced. It was a bellow from the depths of years of frustration and annoyance at the state of affairs our team has had to endure, amidst some really special highs as well. It was a wicket closer to victory and to see Peter Siddle get it was massive, given he has pretty much been around through many of these struggles.
In all honesty there is not much else I want to write about right now. All I want to visualise right now is us getting those final wickets and having the urn back in our grasp, to see my team celebrate, united. We have outplayed England. It's our time. I don't want a fight from them, I am past that point now.
That is what I want to write about. Everything over the last four days gets hidden in the mist. Tomorrow is the only day that matters now. When complete we can hopefully look back on everything else.
COME ON BAGGY GREENS, COME ON!
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Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
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Australia won the toss and elected to bat. England require 253 runs with 5 wickets in hand, 1 day of play remaining.
AUS 1st innings: 385 all out from 103.3 overs.
Steven Smith 111*, David Warner 60, Brad Haddin 55, Mitchell Johnson 39.
Stuart Broad 3-100, James Anderson 2-60
ENG 1st innings: 251 all out after 88.0 overs
Alastair Cook 72, Michael Carberry 43
Ryan Harris 3-48, Peter Siddle 3-36, Mitchell Johnson 2-62
AUS 2nd innings: 6/369 from 87.0 overs
David Warner 112, Shane Watson 103, Chris Rogers 54, George Bailey 39*
Tim Bresnan 2-53
ENG 2nd innings: 5/251 from 67.0 overs
Ben Stokes 72*, Ian Bell 60, Kevin Pietersen 45
Shane Watson 1-31
Verdict: We require a possible 4 wickets to win back the urn tomorrow on 17 December 2013. If Stuart Broad decides to do a Graeme Smith we will need 5. Our bowlers looked fried this afternoon, so a good rest and the ultimate reality that tomorrow these guys could win us back that urn should be enough for them to bowl like their lives depend on it.
I have waited since 2009 to live this moment after we lost the urn to England. I have supported the boys through some of the lowest lows in Australian crickets modern history and it will be an extra special feeling to see us win tomorrow and be proud to have documented that support right here on this site since 2008.
We lead by 253 runs. Discipline and strong comradery will hopefully see us snuff England.
Play: Shane Watson needed to arrive at the Ashes with the bat in hand. He made a half-century at the Adelaide Oval with extreme patience. At the WACA he went into limited overs mode and it was a pretty brutal display. I commented how the spirit of Adam Gilchrist from 2006/07 was lurking around and took over David Warner yesterday. It would seem it took a hold of Watto today.
This century was his 2nd versus England, his 4th in his Test career. It could have been one of many but Watto has had issues in converting. However, those at the WACA were treated to strong power hitting and a reminder why it is hard to leave Shane Watson out of a starting XI. It is frustrating his raw talent has never been truly delivered in his all-rounder capacity (owed to injury too), but when you see it, it is very special to watch.
His dismissal was very comical after he skied a delivery off Tim Bresnan's bowling. Ian Bell spilled an easy chance just off the track around the region of silly mid-off, walked away livid with himself, only for Bresnan to pick up the ball and throw down the stumps at the non-strikers end. Watto was convinced Bell would catch him out and starting walking off the ground. When Bell dropped it he turned his back oblivious to the fact Watto was now in line for a new form of dismissal in the moment - a run out. A comedy of errors and there was a tender moment between Bell and Bresnan. Reminded me of AB and Big Merv.
George Bailey had some fun of his own.
With the declaration around the corner he brought in some limited overs destruction as he smashed James Anderson for 28 runs. This leveled the record for most runs in an over in Test cricket. The record is held by the legend Brian Charles Lara. George was put in the side based on first class experience (not necessarily his stats which aren't jaw dropping) but also his strong confidence and power hitting in India a while ago. He has brought something to the table and the crowds were entertained one time!
The declaration came and England were set 504 to win.
Ryan Harris has looked a bit flat at times, but given his injury issues he's fighting like a trooper for us and I am so proud of him. His delivery to remove Alastair Cook was simply enough as far as I am concerned. A ball that darted into the left hander off a good length just clipped Cook's off stump and we had a prize scalp. It was Cook's first golden duck facing the first ball of an innings and it was the perfect start.
There was some frustrating resistance from England though, don't get me wrong.
Our bowlers have had to work bloody hard in partnerships to keep fighting. In that heat and getting that sort of undesired resistance from an opposition only now starting to show up would result in fatigue for any bowler. Still, our fielding was absolutely first class gold and it just ensured our intensity was burning throughout.
The new ball will come our way in 13 overs if England hold out. This should bring Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson into the game. Resistance will be futile when that happens one would think, also looking at that WACA surface.
Each wicket that came was worked for and when we had the wicket of Kevin Pietersen I was ecstatic - what a catch at long on by Ryano! When we removed Ian Bell - the big wicket - I roared in a way my vocal abilities have never experienced. It was a bellow from the depths of years of frustration and annoyance at the state of affairs our team has had to endure, amidst some really special highs as well. It was a wicket closer to victory and to see Peter Siddle get it was massive, given he has pretty much been around through many of these struggles.
In all honesty there is not much else I want to write about right now. All I want to visualise right now is us getting those final wickets and having the urn back in our grasp, to see my team celebrate, united. We have outplayed England. It's our time. I don't want a fight from them, I am past that point now.
That is what I want to write about. Everything over the last four days gets hidden in the mist. Tomorrow is the only day that matters now. When complete we can hopefully look back on everything else.
COME ON BAGGY GREENS, COME ON!
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
@BaggyGreenBlog
@Ianbaggygreen
@SylvesterAu
@Dan_Stapo
15 December 2013
The Ashes, 3rd Test, day 3
The Ashes, 3rd Test, day 3, Perth
Australia won the toss and elected to bat and lead by 369 runs with 7 wickets in hand, 2 days play remaining.
AUS 1st innings: 385 all out from 103.3 overs.
Steven Smith 111*, David Warner 60, Brad Haddin 55, Mitchell Johnson 39.
Stuart Broad 3-100, James Anderson 2-60
ENG 1st innings: 251 all out after 88.0 overs
Alastair Cook 72, Michael Carberry 43
Ryan Harris 3-48, Peter Siddle 3-36, Mitchell Johnson 2-62
AUS 2nd innings: 3/253 from 70.0 overs
David Warner 112, Chris Rogers 54, Shane Watson 29*
Verdict: We are so close to regaining the urn, so close to winning this Test, and so close for me personally to celebrate something I have continued to back and believe we could achieve. Despite all the lows and torrid times endured, I have supported this team through it all and it feels so damn good right now to feel this unity. Two more days of this Test remain though. Forget the previous performances for now as the next two days of Test cricket for Australia will be the most important we have seen for years.
After today's performance, we rolled England in the morning, securing a lead just over 150 runs and have now advanced it to 369 runs with 7 wickets in hand. We are in a dominant position and if we play our cards right tomorrow to systematically bring down the axe on what little confidence England have left (one bowler down), our bowlers should have enough to work with, hopefully backed by our fielding standards, which have been the ultimate difference between us and England. We took the day and we're in a position that needs to be owned. Come on Australia, we're right behind you boys!
Play: The English innings was wrapped up way quicker than I anticipated. Due to work commitments I had to settle for highlights, but I was keeping an eye on things on my mobile. In 20 overs we removed their final 6 wickets for just 71 runs. That's an elite performance to ensure a dominant hold on the match.
Danger man Ian Bell was at the crease with the rather animated all-rounder Ben Stokes. Fortunately, Ryan Harris was well on truly in good enough shape to give it his all today amongst his usual niggles.
He trapped Ian Bell LBW, despite the initial decision going in Bell's favour. Michael Clarke had a review up his sleeve and used it wisely. The result was a huge wicket and we then pushed hard for the final 5 wickets.
Peter Siddle's wicket of Kevin Pietersen yesterday was one of the key moments in the series thus far. It was massive and Siddle's celebration said it all. However, removing Ian Bell so early opened the gates for us to get in there and slaughter the English tail. There was some resistance though but not without some damage.
Mitchell Johnson has had a quiet Test with the ball, but this second innings could be a scary one for England. He has broken Graeme Smith's hand twice, as well as giving Jacques Kallis' some chin music. Today he added Stuart Broad to his list as he suffered a serious blow to his foot, which resulted in his dismissal, a plumb LBW.
Broad went for x-rays and it showed up "something" according to him, which means he is in doubt for the Boxing Day Test and will take no further part in England's bowling display. Mitch may have not been brutal with his wicket tally but he has possibly knocked England's best competitor in this series out of the contest. Huge loss for England and in many ways for both sets of supporters in this Ashes clash.
Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan showed some fight, but our pacemen were up for the battle. Shane Watson regained his maiden over knack and assisted in building up some well needed pressure to early in the day. The job was done and we had England in position to bat them out of the match.
What followed was our highest opening stand this series, boosted by a healthy lead. Chris Rogers was the anchor, David Warner the attacker and this resulted in a stand of 157 runs.
England though, once again, screwed up in the field, particularly Matt Prior. Prior's confidence is as good as shot. As I wrote last Test, every player goes through this patch but Prior's keeping is now being affected and it will take a lot to come back from this. His dismissal today was a sign how we were all over him like a fatal rash. An aggressive attempt to get free resulted in his wicket, and his chances to stump David Warner were manageable by his notable standards. It was just another hard day under the Perth sun after that.
David Warner brought up his second century of this Ashes series and his 5th Test century, his second in Perth where he now averages 78.80 with 2 centuries and 1 half-century and a total of 394 runs.
It was another admirable moment to see him leap in the air and celebrate that century, just showcasing what a true athlete he is and how mentally strong he is right now. To comeback after all the drama of this year, it's been nothing but sensational for our master blaster.
His innings was vital for us in terms of both time and strategy. We needed quick runs. Sure, we aren't under immense pressure, but against a team that is naturally defensive in tactic, we may need some time to work for those final 10 wickets, despite the WACA track cracking up immensely. Buck Rogers played with caution and focus, while Warner bashed what he could do secure the momentum for us. It provided a fast advancement on our lead but also sunk England's heads that little bit more. With Stuart Broad out of the mix it was even more painful.
Warner dealt in boundaries, hitting 17 fours (68 runs) and two sixes (12) runs during his innings of 112 runs. He took a particular liking to Graeme Swann, and even brought a shade of arrogance into his innings as he selectively worked his shots against what Swann could dish up. Too wide, he'd let it go and walk away seeming almost disgusted with what the English spinner was dishing out. Then when it was in the slot or somewhat a challenge, he'd dive right into it and deliver.
It was almost as if Adam Gilchrist's batting spirit of 2006/07 was alive and well with David Warner at the WACA.
Rogers brought his half-century up with a beautiful cover drive and deserved it. He threw away his wicket in the 1st innings having shown limited signs of discomfort. He did his job today and raised his bat as he left the ground, rightly so! I do believe he was rattled with that ball which crashed into his rib cage which he took like a solider. That would have been bloody sore, but he composed himself and stayed out there a bit longer before carving one to Michael Carberry. His job was done and I reckon he was mentally checked out after that delivery hit him.
Shane Watson has managed to see his innings through until stumps and with Watto out there we could easily hit the 400 run lead quite quickly tomorrow for day 4. You would think that passing 415 is a confidence point at the WACA (South Africa did it in 2008 against us) but tomorrow will be mind games galore.
Watto is currently partnered by Steven Smith, the centurion of the 1st innings, who may have played the biggest role in this match. What they do tomorrow will likely determine the pace of what is left in this game.
Earlier Michael Clarke had come on out to the middle in the 2nd innings of his 100th Test, but managed just 23 before being bowled. Scores of 24 and 23 is certainly not what a player of statistical obsession would look back on fondly, but it means nothing. This is about a Test win, an Ashes win in what just happens to be Clarkey's 100th Test.
Fortunately for us, the other boys have stood up and delivered on a rare occasion when Clarkey hasn't. This needed to happen and to see young guns David Warner and Steven Smith do so, with some fight from veterans Brad Haddin, Chris Rogers, and now Shane Watson, is just so inspiring.
We have the lead, we have the wickets, we have the time, and we have the bowlers. It's all in our favour right now and with the winning edge - something we can relate to at long last - these final passages of play need to be claimed stand as the final challenge to regain the urn. As I always write, still lots of cricket to be played, but one would have to feel this is the best chance possible for us to come out victorious, get the urn back...and for life just to make sense once again.
The boys need to just stay disciplined and united, but they will be hungry for this - hungrier than any die hard Baggy Green solider like myself for this win. Lets take it session by session.
Goal one tomorrow will certainly be to find those 31 runs to hit the 400 run lead mark. When the declaration comes, that is up to Michael Clarke.
COME ON AUSTRALIA!
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
TWITTER
@BaggyGreenBlog
@Ianbaggygreen
@SylvesterAu
@Dan_Stapo
Australia won the toss and elected to bat and lead by 369 runs with 7 wickets in hand, 2 days play remaining.
AUS 1st innings: 385 all out from 103.3 overs.
Steven Smith 111*, David Warner 60, Brad Haddin 55, Mitchell Johnson 39.
Stuart Broad 3-100, James Anderson 2-60
ENG 1st innings: 251 all out after 88.0 overs
Alastair Cook 72, Michael Carberry 43
Ryan Harris 3-48, Peter Siddle 3-36, Mitchell Johnson 2-62
AUS 2nd innings: 3/253 from 70.0 overs
David Warner 112, Chris Rogers 54, Shane Watson 29*
Verdict: We are so close to regaining the urn, so close to winning this Test, and so close for me personally to celebrate something I have continued to back and believe we could achieve. Despite all the lows and torrid times endured, I have supported this team through it all and it feels so damn good right now to feel this unity. Two more days of this Test remain though. Forget the previous performances for now as the next two days of Test cricket for Australia will be the most important we have seen for years.
After today's performance, we rolled England in the morning, securing a lead just over 150 runs and have now advanced it to 369 runs with 7 wickets in hand. We are in a dominant position and if we play our cards right tomorrow to systematically bring down the axe on what little confidence England have left (one bowler down), our bowlers should have enough to work with, hopefully backed by our fielding standards, which have been the ultimate difference between us and England. We took the day and we're in a position that needs to be owned. Come on Australia, we're right behind you boys!
Play: The English innings was wrapped up way quicker than I anticipated. Due to work commitments I had to settle for highlights, but I was keeping an eye on things on my mobile. In 20 overs we removed their final 6 wickets for just 71 runs. That's an elite performance to ensure a dominant hold on the match.
Danger man Ian Bell was at the crease with the rather animated all-rounder Ben Stokes. Fortunately, Ryan Harris was well on truly in good enough shape to give it his all today amongst his usual niggles.
He trapped Ian Bell LBW, despite the initial decision going in Bell's favour. Michael Clarke had a review up his sleeve and used it wisely. The result was a huge wicket and we then pushed hard for the final 5 wickets.
Peter Siddle's wicket of Kevin Pietersen yesterday was one of the key moments in the series thus far. It was massive and Siddle's celebration said it all. However, removing Ian Bell so early opened the gates for us to get in there and slaughter the English tail. There was some resistance though but not without some damage.
Mitchell Johnson has had a quiet Test with the ball, but this second innings could be a scary one for England. He has broken Graeme Smith's hand twice, as well as giving Jacques Kallis' some chin music. Today he added Stuart Broad to his list as he suffered a serious blow to his foot, which resulted in his dismissal, a plumb LBW.
Broad went for x-rays and it showed up "something" according to him, which means he is in doubt for the Boxing Day Test and will take no further part in England's bowling display. Mitch may have not been brutal with his wicket tally but he has possibly knocked England's best competitor in this series out of the contest. Huge loss for England and in many ways for both sets of supporters in this Ashes clash.
Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan showed some fight, but our pacemen were up for the battle. Shane Watson regained his maiden over knack and assisted in building up some well needed pressure to early in the day. The job was done and we had England in position to bat them out of the match.
What followed was our highest opening stand this series, boosted by a healthy lead. Chris Rogers was the anchor, David Warner the attacker and this resulted in a stand of 157 runs.
England though, once again, screwed up in the field, particularly Matt Prior. Prior's confidence is as good as shot. As I wrote last Test, every player goes through this patch but Prior's keeping is now being affected and it will take a lot to come back from this. His dismissal today was a sign how we were all over him like a fatal rash. An aggressive attempt to get free resulted in his wicket, and his chances to stump David Warner were manageable by his notable standards. It was just another hard day under the Perth sun after that.
David Warner brought up his second century of this Ashes series and his 5th Test century, his second in Perth where he now averages 78.80 with 2 centuries and 1 half-century and a total of 394 runs.
It was another admirable moment to see him leap in the air and celebrate that century, just showcasing what a true athlete he is and how mentally strong he is right now. To comeback after all the drama of this year, it's been nothing but sensational for our master blaster.
His innings was vital for us in terms of both time and strategy. We needed quick runs. Sure, we aren't under immense pressure, but against a team that is naturally defensive in tactic, we may need some time to work for those final 10 wickets, despite the WACA track cracking up immensely. Buck Rogers played with caution and focus, while Warner bashed what he could do secure the momentum for us. It provided a fast advancement on our lead but also sunk England's heads that little bit more. With Stuart Broad out of the mix it was even more painful.
Warner dealt in boundaries, hitting 17 fours (68 runs) and two sixes (12) runs during his innings of 112 runs. He took a particular liking to Graeme Swann, and even brought a shade of arrogance into his innings as he selectively worked his shots against what Swann could dish up. Too wide, he'd let it go and walk away seeming almost disgusted with what the English spinner was dishing out. Then when it was in the slot or somewhat a challenge, he'd dive right into it and deliver.
It was almost as if Adam Gilchrist's batting spirit of 2006/07 was alive and well with David Warner at the WACA.
Rogers brought his half-century up with a beautiful cover drive and deserved it. He threw away his wicket in the 1st innings having shown limited signs of discomfort. He did his job today and raised his bat as he left the ground, rightly so! I do believe he was rattled with that ball which crashed into his rib cage which he took like a solider. That would have been bloody sore, but he composed himself and stayed out there a bit longer before carving one to Michael Carberry. His job was done and I reckon he was mentally checked out after that delivery hit him.
Shane Watson has managed to see his innings through until stumps and with Watto out there we could easily hit the 400 run lead quite quickly tomorrow for day 4. You would think that passing 415 is a confidence point at the WACA (South Africa did it in 2008 against us) but tomorrow will be mind games galore.
Watto is currently partnered by Steven Smith, the centurion of the 1st innings, who may have played the biggest role in this match. What they do tomorrow will likely determine the pace of what is left in this game.
Earlier Michael Clarke had come on out to the middle in the 2nd innings of his 100th Test, but managed just 23 before being bowled. Scores of 24 and 23 is certainly not what a player of statistical obsession would look back on fondly, but it means nothing. This is about a Test win, an Ashes win in what just happens to be Clarkey's 100th Test.
Fortunately for us, the other boys have stood up and delivered on a rare occasion when Clarkey hasn't. This needed to happen and to see young guns David Warner and Steven Smith do so, with some fight from veterans Brad Haddin, Chris Rogers, and now Shane Watson, is just so inspiring.
We have the lead, we have the wickets, we have the time, and we have the bowlers. It's all in our favour right now and with the winning edge - something we can relate to at long last - these final passages of play need to be claimed stand as the final challenge to regain the urn. As I always write, still lots of cricket to be played, but one would have to feel this is the best chance possible for us to come out victorious, get the urn back...and for life just to make sense once again.
The boys need to just stay disciplined and united, but they will be hungry for this - hungrier than any die hard Baggy Green solider like myself for this win. Lets take it session by session.
Goal one tomorrow will certainly be to find those 31 runs to hit the 400 run lead mark. When the declaration comes, that is up to Michael Clarke.
COME ON AUSTRALIA!
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
@BaggyGreenBlog
@Ianbaggygreen
@SylvesterAu
@Dan_Stapo
14 December 2013
The Ashes, 3rd Test, day 2
The Ashes, 3rd Test, day 2, Perth
Australia won the toss and elected to bat and lead by 205 runs.
AUS 1st innings: 385 all out from 103.3 overs.
Steven Smith 111*, David Warner 60, Brad Haddin 55, Mitchell Johnson 39.
Stuart Broad 3-100, James Anderson 2-60ENG 1st innings: 4/180 after 68.0 overs
Alastair Cook 72, Michael Carberry 43
Ryan Harris 1-26
Verdict: Despite England's reasonably quick fire effort this morning to see us add just 59 runs for the loss of our final four wickets, they went from an aggressive approach with their top order to a complete turnaround in approach. They went into a defensive mode which our bowlers orchestrated perfectly with solid discipline and first class fielding, once again.
With England losing the big wickets of skipper Alastair Cook (in his 100th Test like Clarke) and Kevin Pietersen (for the 10th time to Peter Siddle), the day has probably edged in our favour, as has the Test. We also followed a good over rate, unlike England.
Play: We had some luck for the day. The first involving the dismissal of Michael Carberry, who edged an attempted leave against the bowling of Ryan Harris onto his stumps. It was a case of poor judgement from a batsman who has looked one of the best for the English thus far in the series, as Ryano came from around the stumps to the left handed batsman.
Ryano's discipline and constant probing outside of off proved to be a key strategy in our execution today. He didn't get enough reward for his efforts, in my opinion. I hope to see him really show up tomorrow as I did tip him a vital player in this Test with all the focus heavily on Mitchell Johnson. All the bowlers are working together superbly.
The second incident of possible "luck" was a more controversial moment, seeing Joe Root make use of the DRS after being given out by Marais Erasmus off the bowling of Shane Watson. Our boys went up for the appeal as a caught behind, which Root immediately reviewed. Below is my view on the matter as posted to the Baggy Green Blog Facebook page. I don't feel like repeating it all.
OPINION: Just got home in time to see Joe Roots dismissal.
A part of me had a laugh as it is payback for the shockers we had to endure in England (Khawaja, Rogers), but essentially there is a logical reason as to why Root was given out and it's only fair to give a reasonable outlook on the matter.
1) Marais Erasmus gave him out. Umpires decision initially.
2) Hotspot is not the only means on inspecting an edge. Snicko is there too and indicated a faint edge with the bat away from the bat. Given the faint edge, hot spot could not have picked up enough friction between leather and willow, plus snicko thrown in could go against Root with that tool to search for evidence of an edge.
3) Finally, take Erasmus giving it out and the snicko edge, it gives the umpire reason to say, "on your way son".
Had Erasmus given it not out, then it would have been in Root's favour, possibly. The third umpire has his in ear mic to hear the sound and they called it out.
Following Roots dismissal, Kevin Pietersen looked like a walking wicket, despite a camouflaged attempt at an unusual, seriously defensive approach. His natural instinct could not be contained and he eventually, after 59 deliveries to score just 19 runs, attempted to play a front foot pull shot (or a lunge of sorts) against the bowling of a possessed-like Peter Siddle.
The ball sailed high, as he mishit and misjudged the shot, and Mitchell Johnson took one hell of a beauty of a catch at mid-on. It was just a spectacular piece of fielding, with a fine technique coming down from quite a height to grab the ball as it was seeming destined to fly beyond his reach. It was a huge moment as Peter Siddle had his bunny for the 10th time, now level with his 10 dismissals of Matt Prior - England's wicket keeper.
His antics and sheer madness to get KP's wicket was a crazy scene and both my energy and victory rage went to the next level with that moment. Siddle at his best!
Alastair Cook flashed a delivery wide of off stump against the bowling of Nathan Lyon and somewhat wrecked what had been an innings full of fight. He managed 72 runs before falling victim to a diving effort from David Warner at backward point. A little dance took place, while Cook would have wrestled with himself in his mind at his downfall.
Ian Bell and Ben Stokes continued this defensive mode with a few risks here and there, but they survived to stumps and will see a massive task come their way tomorrow. Our bowlers will be refreshed. I just hope more people show up at the WACA after a pretty bleak attendance for day two, on a Saturday at that as well.
Earlier in the day Steven Smith, who scored a possible career defining century on day 1, was dismissed for 111, with Mitchell Johnson falling on his overnight score of 39. There was some resistance from our tail, consisting of Peter Siddle (21), Ryan Harris (12), and Nathan Lyon (17*) as they added 47 runs to just make sure England didn't leave the field with too much of a hop in their stride.
We still have a lead of 205 runs, with 6 English wickets to make our own, three days play remaining with good, hot weather ahead.
I am quite content with the way we wrapped up the day. Tomorrow's first session is a big one to keep an eye on, and I am confident with our boys refreshed and a clear game plan laid out, we can roll England. Discipline needs to resume and our fielding standards, if unchanged, will set some high intensity.
Roll in the big guns tomorrow, we got an urn to try and win back here. And we are in a bloody good position to go for it. Come on Australia!
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
TWITTER
@BaggyGreenBlog
@Ianbaggygreen
@SylvesterAu
@Dan_Stapo
Australia won the toss and elected to bat and lead by 205 runs.
AUS 1st innings: 385 all out from 103.3 overs.
Steven Smith 111*, David Warner 60, Brad Haddin 55, Mitchell Johnson 39.
Stuart Broad 3-100, James Anderson 2-60ENG 1st innings: 4/180 after 68.0 overs
Alastair Cook 72, Michael Carberry 43
Ryan Harris 1-26
Verdict: Despite England's reasonably quick fire effort this morning to see us add just 59 runs for the loss of our final four wickets, they went from an aggressive approach with their top order to a complete turnaround in approach. They went into a defensive mode which our bowlers orchestrated perfectly with solid discipline and first class fielding, once again.
With England losing the big wickets of skipper Alastair Cook (in his 100th Test like Clarke) and Kevin Pietersen (for the 10th time to Peter Siddle), the day has probably edged in our favour, as has the Test. We also followed a good over rate, unlike England.
Play: We had some luck for the day. The first involving the dismissal of Michael Carberry, who edged an attempted leave against the bowling of Ryan Harris onto his stumps. It was a case of poor judgement from a batsman who has looked one of the best for the English thus far in the series, as Ryano came from around the stumps to the left handed batsman.
Ryano's discipline and constant probing outside of off proved to be a key strategy in our execution today. He didn't get enough reward for his efforts, in my opinion. I hope to see him really show up tomorrow as I did tip him a vital player in this Test with all the focus heavily on Mitchell Johnson. All the bowlers are working together superbly.
The second incident of possible "luck" was a more controversial moment, seeing Joe Root make use of the DRS after being given out by Marais Erasmus off the bowling of Shane Watson. Our boys went up for the appeal as a caught behind, which Root immediately reviewed. Below is my view on the matter as posted to the Baggy Green Blog Facebook page. I don't feel like repeating it all.
OPINION: Just got home in time to see Joe Roots dismissal.
A part of me had a laugh as it is payback for the shockers we had to endure in England (Khawaja, Rogers), but essentially there is a logical reason as to why Root was given out and it's only fair to give a reasonable outlook on the matter.
1) Marais Erasmus gave him out. Umpires decision initially.
2) Hotspot is not the only means on inspecting an edge. Snicko is there too and indicated a faint edge with the bat away from the bat. Given the faint edge, hot spot could not have picked up enough friction between leather and willow, plus snicko thrown in could go against Root with that tool to search for evidence of an edge.
3) Finally, take Erasmus giving it out and the snicko edge, it gives the umpire reason to say, "on your way son".
Had Erasmus given it not out, then it would have been in Root's favour, possibly. The third umpire has his in ear mic to hear the sound and they called it out.
Following Roots dismissal, Kevin Pietersen looked like a walking wicket, despite a camouflaged attempt at an unusual, seriously defensive approach. His natural instinct could not be contained and he eventually, after 59 deliveries to score just 19 runs, attempted to play a front foot pull shot (or a lunge of sorts) against the bowling of a possessed-like Peter Siddle.
The ball sailed high, as he mishit and misjudged the shot, and Mitchell Johnson took one hell of a beauty of a catch at mid-on. It was just a spectacular piece of fielding, with a fine technique coming down from quite a height to grab the ball as it was seeming destined to fly beyond his reach. It was a huge moment as Peter Siddle had his bunny for the 10th time, now level with his 10 dismissals of Matt Prior - England's wicket keeper.
His antics and sheer madness to get KP's wicket was a crazy scene and both my energy and victory rage went to the next level with that moment. Siddle at his best!
Alastair Cook flashed a delivery wide of off stump against the bowling of Nathan Lyon and somewhat wrecked what had been an innings full of fight. He managed 72 runs before falling victim to a diving effort from David Warner at backward point. A little dance took place, while Cook would have wrestled with himself in his mind at his downfall.
Ian Bell and Ben Stokes continued this defensive mode with a few risks here and there, but they survived to stumps and will see a massive task come their way tomorrow. Our bowlers will be refreshed. I just hope more people show up at the WACA after a pretty bleak attendance for day two, on a Saturday at that as well.
Earlier in the day Steven Smith, who scored a possible career defining century on day 1, was dismissed for 111, with Mitchell Johnson falling on his overnight score of 39. There was some resistance from our tail, consisting of Peter Siddle (21), Ryan Harris (12), and Nathan Lyon (17*) as they added 47 runs to just make sure England didn't leave the field with too much of a hop in their stride.
We still have a lead of 205 runs, with 6 English wickets to make our own, three days play remaining with good, hot weather ahead.
I am quite content with the way we wrapped up the day. Tomorrow's first session is a big one to keep an eye on, and I am confident with our boys refreshed and a clear game plan laid out, we can roll England. Discipline needs to resume and our fielding standards, if unchanged, will set some high intensity.
Roll in the big guns tomorrow, we got an urn to try and win back here. And we are in a bloody good position to go for it. Come on Australia!
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
@BaggyGreenBlog
@Ianbaggygreen
@SylvesterAu
@Dan_Stapo
09 December 2013
The Ashes: 2nd Test, day 4/5 (plus images)
2nd Test, Adelaide Oval
Australia won the toss and elected to bat (leading the series 2-0)
Result: Australia won by 218 runs.
Australia 1st innings: 9/570 dec. from 158.0 overs
Michael Clarke 148, Brad Haddin 118, Chris Rogers 72, Ryan Harris 55*, George Bailey 53, Shane Watson 51,
Stuart Broad 3-98
England 1st innings: 172 all out
Ian Bell 72*, Michael Carberry 60
Mitchell Johnson 7-40
Australia 2nd innings: 3/132 from 39.0 overs
David Warner 83*, Steven Smith 23*
England 2nd innings: (Target 531) 312 all out
Joe Root 87, Matt Prior 69, Kevin Pietersen 53
Peter Siddle 4-57, Ryan Harris 3-54
Verdict:
We wrapped England up within one session on day 5. The verdict is that not only did we win the days play but we now lead the Ashes 2-0, something we have not seen since 2006/07.
I wrote it before the 2013 England Ashes series and I will write it again. If we put enough runs on the board we will win as we have enough firepower in our bowling attack and a quality fielding group to counter-attack any batting unit. If we don't get sufficient runs, it just puts too much of a burden on the bowling group. We had some luck this Test with England's fielding, but we stacked on the runs and the theory is proving correct.
Match stats and facts:
This Test saw Michael Clarke bring up his 26th Test century, his 7th versus England. At the Adelaide Oval he has scored 6 centuries from 9 Tests, averaging 98.38. Next Test will be his 100th Test (the same for Alastair Cook)
Brad Haddin took his 200th Test catch and his batting average at the Adelaide Oval is 121.00 with 2 centuries from 5 Tests. He now has 4 Test centuries, clearly demonstrating the ground is both a hunting ground for himself and Michael Clarke.
Nathan Lyon needs 9 more wickets to have 100 Test wickets.
Peter Siddle has dismissed Kevin Pietersen 9 times, but Matt Prior 10 times as well. Two bunnies!
Mitchell Johnson's 7-40 is the best bowling figures by a fast bowler at the Adelaide Oval in Ashes history. He also has back to back Man of the Match awards. It is his seventh award in Tests.
George Bailey scored his maiden Test half-century this match.
Analysis:
The difference in this game was confidence and of course fielding standards. England literally dropped the match after having us in a sticky situation on a flat track. They were outplayed in the field by us in this regard, and then to top it off we dominated as a bowling group. Our batsmen made England pay for their drop catches and once we had amassed 500 runs plus, our bowling attack was always going to be too strong, backed by sensational world class fielding.
Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin's centuries were both gifted as a result of drop catches, but as Michael Hussey has noted many times in commentary, post match presentations and his books, luck is needed in Test cricket and we had it. Luck came into effect for them, as it did for England yesterday.
Brad Haddin's keeper standards have been first class as well, which has seen a huge boost to team morale. Well done Hads. Definitely seeing the importance of the return from Hads and Mitchell Johnson. We also have Tim Paine doing well at State level for Tasmania so some healthy competition emerging again.
On top of it all, I mentioned confidence being the main difference. After a slaughter at the Gabbatoir, they were rattled. Mitchell Johnson delivered a devastating spell here in Adelaide after making them pay for their drop catches, which opened a wound that was still seeping. The result of this low confidence was poor shot selection and an inability to build partnerships where we had to work bloody hard for the wickets. I know about this all too well given how we have gone since 2009.
Either way, if England struggled to handle our bowlers on this track, it will take a hell of a lot for them to handle our boys at the WACA. To be honest I don't see how they will regather. Our batting remains and area to be targeted so their bowlers should still have their tails up. I also like to believe with some luck we may see Mitchell Johnson reach the 160 km/h speed mark, given he clocked 150 km/h on this track on his brutal effort on day 3.
On the note of not enforcing the follow-on.
I stand by my view on day three that it was the right decision to not enforce it. Take the rain out of it, we had time and the plan was to rest our bowlers and lets face it, this track was dying and after Mitchell Johnson's explosive spell (a real gift to witness given the rarity) it would have been a big ask to have them back out on the ground to search for a few more. We still won in the end and while Clarkey would have been stressing a bit with the knowledge the rain when looking out of his hotel room which could have affected his decision (mostly in the media), hindsight is a wonderful thing and fortunately it had no cause and effect on this game.
Play: Day four was hard work for our boys, but they worked in partnerships, bowled to their fields, and despite England having plenty luck - deliveries just missing outside edges, just missing the stumps by a whisker (Prior on day 4) etc. - we managed to pull out 6 wickets on a flat track. That took a huge effort.
Nathan Lyon didn't enjoy the conditions that aided him in Brisbane, but despite not having the rhythm, he bowled plenty of overs and outperformed two of the English spin bowlers. The more he bowls, the better he will get. Something previous spinners post-Warne had no fortune of. He has now also sung the team song "Under the Southern Cross" twice after having to wait a long time after Michael Hussey's retirement.
The only criticism I had on day four was at the close of play, when Stuart Broad came out to the crease and our bowlers attacked with too much emotion, rather than discipline and clinical execution, which had been so brutally demonstrated throughout. They were a bit erratic with too much short ball emphasis. We also played into Broad's game of stall tactics and stirring with all associated with Australian cricket (including all of us at the ground).
Other than that, we came on out and pulled off the victory with plenty of time to spare and the rain a distant memory.
Peter Siddle was the star of the day for me on day four, while himself and Ryan Harris were just splendid today. Ryano was due some deserved collections. Still so proud to see him in our team.
We needed them to deliver the goods, given the track was no longer playing to Mitchell's strength and of course the obvious fact we needed to take the weight off his shoulders. These two boys are experienced Baggy Greeners and they delivered to help us take the win - important for Mitchell's game plan too.
Sids is always a grafter and will keep asking questions all day long, hitting his marks and getting batsmen to find a response or solution to his output. He became the best man on the flat track, which he has showcased a few times in his career how he bangs the ball into the deck and can find something out of nothing. It's a trait that makes up for his lack of ammunition and tricks of the trade in his bowling repetoire.
A fascinating stat is that Peter Siddle has now dismissed Kevin Pietersen 9 times in Test cricket.
He had some luck getting KP to get an inside edge to chop one onto his stumps, but Sids has seen many dismissals of this nature on the back of his bowling. He has also removed Matt Prior 9 times, a stat I missed until doing some research on Cricinfo's Statsguru.
Joe Root showed outstanding temperament and patience for a man of his age, and it took something special with a touch of luck to remove him. Nathan Lyon got him to find the faintest deflection onto his body while attempting a defensive stroke which saw a diving Brad Haddin grasp the ball with one hand from up close to the stumps. It resulted in a massive breakthrough - England's last hope - and Brad Haddin's 200th catch in Test cricket.
Matt Prior showed resistance to come out of his bleak form slump but as he fought with aggression, it was inevitable he was going to be undone with this sense of attack or he'd simply run out of batting partners.
Sure enough he was removed by Peter Siddle. Prior was just one of the many English batsmen who was sent packing with the pull shot. A few hook shots also went horribly wrong for them and their short ball woes continued. It was a very nonchalant celebration from Ryan Harris who took the catch but it was one step closer to the win.
The final wicket was that of Monty Panesar and it was a special moment, not only because we went up 2-0, but because James Anderson and Panesar were at the crease against us in 2009 at Cardiff. They managed to keep us at bay and the 1st Test resulted in a drawn result despite us outplaying England individually. I am convinced that was the Test that initiated our ultimate downfall into a dark period for Australian Cricket. It shattered our belief and ability to handle those key moments we always took with confidence and lethal execution. The winning edge from a new team, somewhat united with a win in South Africa in early 2009, took a turn for the worse. We're now making it up with a fresh brand of cricket.
As a result, to wreck the short lived partnership between the two tail enders and give us such a strong victory was actually quite a beautiful moment for me as a die hard Aussie supporter. It has not buried the memory of 2009 cause we still have to regain the urn, but it was a huge step forward for us.
We still have room for improvement and despite the obvious objective to regain the urn, Michael Clarke was calm in victory and noted the number one goal. To be the number one Test team in the world. The boys will know their job from here and if England stay down in the dumps and get the heat delivered to them by Ryano, Sids and Mighty Mitch at the WACA, I struggle to see how they will come out on top.
Still three Tests to go but after the torrid time we've endured it's great to be leading 2-0.
If we can regain the urn and see consistency set into our batting line up, it will make spots hard to claim from the players at State level and, as a result, the benchmark will be raised. This will result in higher output at State level in order to see capable and able players become potential Australian Test cricketer and our stocks will become stronger. Domestic output will be lifted and if the team is continually trying to become stronger and build character to connect and engage with the supporters it will genuinely increase the passion in the fan base and team identity. As a result, the overall culture will get closer to Darren "Boof" Lehmann, Michael Clarke, ours (supporters), and Cricket Australia's objectives.
It's a way to go, but to win by 218 runs on a flat Adelaide Oval track has been epic. Personally, I finally saw Australia take on England in an Ashes series. To know we won the first international game at the new ground and for me to be a part of that history, along with the return of Mighty Mitchell Johnson, has just been special.
Bring on Perth!
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Australia won the toss and elected to bat (leading the series 2-0)
Result: Australia won by 218 runs.
Australia 1st innings: 9/570 dec. from 158.0 overs
Michael Clarke 148, Brad Haddin 118, Chris Rogers 72, Ryan Harris 55*, George Bailey 53, Shane Watson 51,
Stuart Broad 3-98
England 1st innings: 172 all out
Ian Bell 72*, Michael Carberry 60
Mitchell Johnson 7-40
Australia 2nd innings: 3/132 from 39.0 overs
David Warner 83*, Steven Smith 23*
England 2nd innings: (Target 531) 312 all out
Joe Root 87, Matt Prior 69, Kevin Pietersen 53
Peter Siddle 4-57, Ryan Harris 3-54
Verdict:
We wrapped England up within one session on day 5. The verdict is that not only did we win the days play but we now lead the Ashes 2-0, something we have not seen since 2006/07.
I wrote it before the 2013 England Ashes series and I will write it again. If we put enough runs on the board we will win as we have enough firepower in our bowling attack and a quality fielding group to counter-attack any batting unit. If we don't get sufficient runs, it just puts too much of a burden on the bowling group. We had some luck this Test with England's fielding, but we stacked on the runs and the theory is proving correct.
Match stats and facts:
This Test saw Michael Clarke bring up his 26th Test century, his 7th versus England. At the Adelaide Oval he has scored 6 centuries from 9 Tests, averaging 98.38. Next Test will be his 100th Test (the same for Alastair Cook)
Brad Haddin took his 200th Test catch and his batting average at the Adelaide Oval is 121.00 with 2 centuries from 5 Tests. He now has 4 Test centuries, clearly demonstrating the ground is both a hunting ground for himself and Michael Clarke.
Nathan Lyon needs 9 more wickets to have 100 Test wickets.
Peter Siddle has dismissed Kevin Pietersen 9 times, but Matt Prior 10 times as well. Two bunnies!
Mitchell Johnson's 7-40 is the best bowling figures by a fast bowler at the Adelaide Oval in Ashes history. He also has back to back Man of the Match awards. It is his seventh award in Tests.
George Bailey scored his maiden Test half-century this match.
Analysis:
The difference in this game was confidence and of course fielding standards. England literally dropped the match after having us in a sticky situation on a flat track. They were outplayed in the field by us in this regard, and then to top it off we dominated as a bowling group. Our batsmen made England pay for their drop catches and once we had amassed 500 runs plus, our bowling attack was always going to be too strong, backed by sensational world class fielding.
Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin's centuries were both gifted as a result of drop catches, but as Michael Hussey has noted many times in commentary, post match presentations and his books, luck is needed in Test cricket and we had it. Luck came into effect for them, as it did for England yesterday.
Brad Haddin's keeper standards have been first class as well, which has seen a huge boost to team morale. Well done Hads. Definitely seeing the importance of the return from Hads and Mitchell Johnson. We also have Tim Paine doing well at State level for Tasmania so some healthy competition emerging again.
On top of it all, I mentioned confidence being the main difference. After a slaughter at the Gabbatoir, they were rattled. Mitchell Johnson delivered a devastating spell here in Adelaide after making them pay for their drop catches, which opened a wound that was still seeping. The result of this low confidence was poor shot selection and an inability to build partnerships where we had to work bloody hard for the wickets. I know about this all too well given how we have gone since 2009.
Either way, if England struggled to handle our bowlers on this track, it will take a hell of a lot for them to handle our boys at the WACA. To be honest I don't see how they will regather. Our batting remains and area to be targeted so their bowlers should still have their tails up. I also like to believe with some luck we may see Mitchell Johnson reach the 160 km/h speed mark, given he clocked 150 km/h on this track on his brutal effort on day 3.
On the note of not enforcing the follow-on.
I stand by my view on day three that it was the right decision to not enforce it. Take the rain out of it, we had time and the plan was to rest our bowlers and lets face it, this track was dying and after Mitchell Johnson's explosive spell (a real gift to witness given the rarity) it would have been a big ask to have them back out on the ground to search for a few more. We still won in the end and while Clarkey would have been stressing a bit with the knowledge the rain when looking out of his hotel room which could have affected his decision (mostly in the media), hindsight is a wonderful thing and fortunately it had no cause and effect on this game.
Play: Day four was hard work for our boys, but they worked in partnerships, bowled to their fields, and despite England having plenty luck - deliveries just missing outside edges, just missing the stumps by a whisker (Prior on day 4) etc. - we managed to pull out 6 wickets on a flat track. That took a huge effort.
Nathan Lyon didn't enjoy the conditions that aided him in Brisbane, but despite not having the rhythm, he bowled plenty of overs and outperformed two of the English spin bowlers. The more he bowls, the better he will get. Something previous spinners post-Warne had no fortune of. He has now also sung the team song "Under the Southern Cross" twice after having to wait a long time after Michael Hussey's retirement.
The only criticism I had on day four was at the close of play, when Stuart Broad came out to the crease and our bowlers attacked with too much emotion, rather than discipline and clinical execution, which had been so brutally demonstrated throughout. They were a bit erratic with too much short ball emphasis. We also played into Broad's game of stall tactics and stirring with all associated with Australian cricket (including all of us at the ground).
Other than that, we came on out and pulled off the victory with plenty of time to spare and the rain a distant memory.
Peter Siddle was the star of the day for me on day four, while himself and Ryan Harris were just splendid today. Ryano was due some deserved collections. Still so proud to see him in our team.
We needed them to deliver the goods, given the track was no longer playing to Mitchell's strength and of course the obvious fact we needed to take the weight off his shoulders. These two boys are experienced Baggy Greeners and they delivered to help us take the win - important for Mitchell's game plan too.
Sids is always a grafter and will keep asking questions all day long, hitting his marks and getting batsmen to find a response or solution to his output. He became the best man on the flat track, which he has showcased a few times in his career how he bangs the ball into the deck and can find something out of nothing. It's a trait that makes up for his lack of ammunition and tricks of the trade in his bowling repetoire.
A fascinating stat is that Peter Siddle has now dismissed Kevin Pietersen 9 times in Test cricket.
He had some luck getting KP to get an inside edge to chop one onto his stumps, but Sids has seen many dismissals of this nature on the back of his bowling. He has also removed Matt Prior 9 times, a stat I missed until doing some research on Cricinfo's Statsguru.
Joe Root showed outstanding temperament and patience for a man of his age, and it took something special with a touch of luck to remove him. Nathan Lyon got him to find the faintest deflection onto his body while attempting a defensive stroke which saw a diving Brad Haddin grasp the ball with one hand from up close to the stumps. It resulted in a massive breakthrough - England's last hope - and Brad Haddin's 200th catch in Test cricket.
Matt Prior showed resistance to come out of his bleak form slump but as he fought with aggression, it was inevitable he was going to be undone with this sense of attack or he'd simply run out of batting partners.
Sure enough he was removed by Peter Siddle. Prior was just one of the many English batsmen who was sent packing with the pull shot. A few hook shots also went horribly wrong for them and their short ball woes continued. It was a very nonchalant celebration from Ryan Harris who took the catch but it was one step closer to the win.
The final wicket was that of Monty Panesar and it was a special moment, not only because we went up 2-0, but because James Anderson and Panesar were at the crease against us in 2009 at Cardiff. They managed to keep us at bay and the 1st Test resulted in a drawn result despite us outplaying England individually. I am convinced that was the Test that initiated our ultimate downfall into a dark period for Australian Cricket. It shattered our belief and ability to handle those key moments we always took with confidence and lethal execution. The winning edge from a new team, somewhat united with a win in South Africa in early 2009, took a turn for the worse. We're now making it up with a fresh brand of cricket.
As a result, to wreck the short lived partnership between the two tail enders and give us such a strong victory was actually quite a beautiful moment for me as a die hard Aussie supporter. It has not buried the memory of 2009 cause we still have to regain the urn, but it was a huge step forward for us.
We still have room for improvement and despite the obvious objective to regain the urn, Michael Clarke was calm in victory and noted the number one goal. To be the number one Test team in the world. The boys will know their job from here and if England stay down in the dumps and get the heat delivered to them by Ryano, Sids and Mighty Mitch at the WACA, I struggle to see how they will come out on top.
Still three Tests to go but after the torrid time we've endured it's great to be leading 2-0.
If we can regain the urn and see consistency set into our batting line up, it will make spots hard to claim from the players at State level and, as a result, the benchmark will be raised. This will result in higher output at State level in order to see capable and able players become potential Australian Test cricketer and our stocks will become stronger. Domestic output will be lifted and if the team is continually trying to become stronger and build character to connect and engage with the supporters it will genuinely increase the passion in the fan base and team identity. As a result, the overall culture will get closer to Darren "Boof" Lehmann, Michael Clarke, ours (supporters), and Cricket Australia's objectives.
It's a way to go, but to win by 218 runs on a flat Adelaide Oval track has been epic. Personally, I finally saw Australia take on England in an Ashes series. To know we won the first international game at the new ground and for me to be a part of that history, along with the return of Mighty Mitchell Johnson, has just been special.
Bring on Perth!
 |
| The scoreboard on day one before a ball had been delivered. Fresh, no story told. (Photo: Ian Reid) |
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| Stapo, Ian, Sylvester (left to right). The first time we all finally watched a game of Test cricket together, united. |
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| The official attendance on day one. The scorecard would grow. (Photo: Ian Reid) |
 |
| A view towards to hill from the lower Western Stand, day four (Photo: Ian Reid) |
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| A view to the new Southern Stand with a good capacity seated (Photo: Ian Reid) |
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| Our boys getting ready in the slips. Smith, Clarke, Watson, Haddin (Photo: Ian Reid) |
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| A great picture of the scoreboard, a packed out hill, and the attendance on day four (Photo: Ian Reid) |
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
@BaggyGreenBlog
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@SylvesterAu
@Dan_Stapo
05 August 2013
The Ashes 3rd Test, day 5, Old Trafford
The Ashes 3rd Test, day 5, Old Trafford:
Australia 1st innings: 7/527 dec. from 146 overs
Michael Clarke 187, Steven Smith 89, Chris Rogers 84, Mitchell Starc 66*, Brad Haddin 65*
Graeme Swann 5-159
England 1st innings: 368 all out from 139.3 overs
Kevin Pietersen 113, Alastair Cook 62, Ian Bell 60Peter Siddle 4-63, Mitchell Starc 3-76, Ryan Harris 2-82
Australia 2nd innings: 7/172 from 36 overs
Michael Clarke 30*, David Warner 41
Tim Bresnan 2-25, James Anderson 2-37
England 2nd innings: 3/37 from 20.3 overs
Ryan Harris 2-13, Peter Siddle 1-8
Result: Match drawn, England lead series 2-0 and retain the urn.
It is a depressing morning waking up to read the headlines. My source for statistical information, ESPN Cricinfo.com, had the headline: "England retain Ashes on rainy day". Dare I read on? Now I still have to get on with my working day.
Having stated this, I am extremely proud of my team after the fight they gave England this Test. The first match at Trent Bridge was close and our batting - along with the Broad incident - saw us fall 14 runs short. The second Test we were slaughtered due to a batting collapse of Cape Town magnitude in the context of the series. After being 2-0 down and needing to win the final three Tests, it is fair to say we would have won this game had the rain stayed at bay. It didn't and Manchester's heavens above opened for the English supporters to smile as their team ensured they retain the urn.
It is mission failed for us, but we still have the opportunity to ensure they don't win the series in terms of the scoreline. We can still ensure it goes down 2-2, as opposed to 2-0, 2-1, 3-0 or 4-0. There is still reason to fight for some pride and a way for this team to further connect on and off the field, so come the home Ashes we may see few changes done to the squad as we have another crack at the English to get back the urn. Stability will be important. Darren Lehmann has an opportunity to build that synergy, back these players and expand the team spirit in tough circumstances.
In 2009 before the series began, Michael Clarke gave a presentation to the team showing nothing more than a video clip of England celebrating their victory in 2005. The message was clear: don't let this happen again! Unfortunately for Clarke he has now seen it happen three times in a row and once while he has been in charge, leading a side now described as the worst touring Australian side to England.
I still stand by my belief that this was the best side we had and just played below their potential. Plain and simple. Some tweaks here and there would have been good, along with some off-field drama aside and umpiring issues which would have helped, but I am confident Darren Lehmann's appointment as coach was timely and that this was the best side selected to win back the urn. Unfortunately our batting at Lord's cost us if we are to blame ourselves, along with tactical blunders.
The umpiring standards have been torrid this series, but that is a debate of political heights so we'll leave that for another day.
This is usually the time when all the haters and casual cricket viewers come out and bash the team - bring on the criticism, I love a challenge from a pessimist. I will stand by my side and support them for what is left of this series. And as a supporter I will address the positives as we look ahead to the next Test, while England can have their moment to celebrate a close shave to have not found the series at 2-1 with two Tests to go.
Ryan Harris: Ryano's dismissal of Ian Bell in the first innings was tactically and technically outstanding. Had injury not burdened him he'd be right up there in the league of Dale Steyn and James Anderson. His performance in the second innings was courageous despite the weather odds against us. To top it of, his performance at Lord's was terrific but sadly in vain due to poorly disciplined batting. Good to have him back. He has 11 wickets at 18.00 from two Tests.
Peter Siddle: He is always hard to leave out of a side because of his passion when playing for Australia. He's become a world class patch bowler, or burst bowler. He can find something in any track and every now and then can just get the ball to nip about or hit the seam to create something special. Like Harris, he gave it his best in the second innings.
Nathan Lyon: Lyon was destined to play in the final Test of the series and I am glad he got a run sooner than that. Despite Ashton Agar's debut performance with the bat, he never looked threatening with the ball in hand. Important to note this as he was selected as a spinner first. Having watched him at State level for Western Australia I still see him as a spin bowler to develop for the future. Lyon though has the experience and over seventy Test wickets. With confidence and support from Shane Warne he produced some beautiful spin bowling spells this Test. His wickets don't tell a true story. You had to have seen his performance.
He will also only get better the more he plays. Graeme Swann debuted in Test matches back in 2008, having come onto the scene for England in 2000. It took time for him to become a top class bowler and perseverance from the English selectors got him to where he is. It could happen for Lyon but we (supporters and selectors) need to back him.
Mitchell Starc: While Starc is still not able to assist with building the pressure, a crucial tactical element of bowling in tandem, he provides versatility in his game with both the bat and ball. His ability to get big wickets when he hits his line and length with consistency for a few overs goes a long way. More consistency and the ability to build pressure will see him come a long way.
Chris Rogers: Chris Rogers is given a hard time for his age - 35, so old! He's not exactly dead you know and the way he scrapped around that field, he put some of our youngsters to shame. He is quick between the wickets and his performance in the first innings of the Old Trafford Test was majestic. It was an elite innings in my opinion and the only issue was he didn't get that maiden-century. Stick with him until the home Ashes is done. We need the experience and keep in mind he has the second most runs for us this series.
Steven Smith: As I wrote on day one of this Test, "Smith has shown incredible application to his game when I think back to 2010/11 when he was plain and simply not ready for Test cricket. I was always frustrated with the selection of Smith as he was put into the Australian team well before he had sufficient first-class exposure.
This was made worse by the former selection panel not giving him a specific task. He was called in as a leg spinner, who was a part-time spinner at best. He was made to bat in a variety of positions but was impatient, fidgety and easy picking outside of off stump in the Test arena. Then he was just a specialist fielder, keeping out better players. It wasn't his fault but he took flack for it. The new selection panel kept him out the side until the time was right. He is now a better cricketer and is asserting himself as a batsman."
Brad Haddin: He kept wicket particularly well this Test and after being down and out with the bat following his near heroics at Trent Bridge, he gave solid input throughout this match. Pity we didn't get more from him at Lord's. His catch to remove Alastair Cook in the first innings was epic.
Usman Khawaja: Despite that awful, disgraceful howler of a dismissal, he may be the player for the number three role. He has two more Tests to try and find his feet. So far he's looked okay, not great but okay. Better than lost and out of place!
Michael Clarke: Last but not least the skipper. Tactically it has not been a good series for Clarkey and his time in the slips has seen better days with his "bucket-like" hands usually being as reliable as his batting has been the last two years. He put down Joe Root yesterday - a simple chance - and was stuck in cement when Alastair Cook edged Nathan Lyon behind onto Brad Haddin's leg, which then looped into the air and onto the turf. It could have saved us many runs, along with a poor use of DRS in the first two Tests, which cost us dearly.
It will hurt for Clarke having lost the game strategically, as he does have a good cricketing brain. Fortunately, he did arrive with the bat and he put together his highest innings against England and a big century (187), even though we would have loved a repeat of his performance in 2009 at Lord's. This one was a scratchy innings and far from his best, but there was a return of confidence and elegance that made his 2011/12 season so sublime. We need more of this and it seems the rest will follow.
Verdict: We still missed some big chances this Test. We secured victory for each days play but on the final day when we were right there to get the win the rain came down, Murphy's Law. England have had the good fortune at the best of times and this was the cherry on top. England won strategically this match, while performance wise we were the better side. The Ashes urn stays with them so the match goes to them. There's the bitter pill.
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
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