some superb bowling and a helpful deck go a long way as well.
It felt different right from the first ball...more energy, confidence and belief, the pressure put on a shaky England lineup harkened back to brighter days.
We held our catches ranging from regulation right through to the superb.
England never looked comfortable (unlike myself who was so comfortable that I missed the second session due to bad light entering the eyes).
Even Johnson's sometimes wayward deliveries didn't seem to worry him, not surprising given the support he had and the fact that he was on line more often than not.
Losing Katich early was a worry but a century stand and overhauling Englands paltry score for the loss of 1 wicket looked to put the game out of Australias reach.
Losing 3 quick wickets for 50 odd, hopefully, reminded them that there is still a long way to go.
4 for at stumps and with our most in-form batsmen out there they should be looking to bat for a day and pile yet more pressure on the old dart then make them fold like a cheap suit.
I am still erect.
Oh what a difference a day makes. This test started ominously for Australia. A dead set plumb lbw turned down. I expected to see Rudy shaking his head. There were two noises but the bat was way too late. I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach as visions of Strauss plundering a big one cavorted in my head. Thankfully quality bowling and some extraordinary clean hands put paid to that nightmare. North's catch was just the thing to kickstart the carnage and from then on it was as if the clock had been turned back to the halcion days of McGrath and co. Australia used the pitch and conditions to perfection and the Poms became obsessed with bat on ball. Line and length, the bread and butter of bowlers everywhere became the weapon of choice and it worked a treat. What a contrast the Poms when it was their turn to fling the leather. Line and length gave way to aggressive short and wide bowling accompanied by even more aggressive batting. Before you knew it Australia had their first 50 and it became clear the capitulation of the English batsmen was not to be repeated by the Aussies. As the innings wore on the agression from the batsmen was replaced by watchful patience, something I have been imploring Australia to utlise when the situation calls for it. Had Australia continued with the cavalier approach it had maintained in it's period of dominance it could have been a much different overnight scoreline.
ReplyDeleteSo Ricky and the selectors, you are to be congratulated. Number one for the masterstroke of choosing four pace bowlers. Each one looked likely to do danage at any time. And number two for the change in mindset of the batters which surely put Australia in a commanding position. This test should be over by lunch on day three and then it's off to The Oval where a draw is the norm. It will be England that will have to make all the play to take the urn unlike four years ago.
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