On the morning of the second day of the second Test, I skipped the country for a jolly. Hence I missed the end of 75 years of hurt at what everybody outside Yorkshire refers to as the home of cricket. Ably aided by a band of text maniacs, I was kept up to date wicket-by-wicket while the rest of France looked on with, at best, utter indifference and sneering contempt.
So I missed much of the game. Day one was another like day one at Cardiff, only this time it was Alistair Cook and Andrew Strauss rather than Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood that got the runs. Strauss then got out in ridiculous fashion just as I was on the way out of the door and off to the airport. I didn't see Ricky Ponting's disputed wicket and subsequent trademark strop. I didn't see Strauss fail to enforce the follow on and this time get away with it. I didn't see Flintoff's first five-for since the last Ashes series in England. I didn't get the jitters while Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin piled a lot of runs on. And I didn't see comical bowling from Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson.
And I'm not seeing any of it now either. While I was sunning myself in scorching temperatures on the Mediterranean coast, it seems that Birmingham, along with most of the rest of the UK, has been pelted from above. With rain, in case that wasn't clear. That's held up play for all of day one so far, but play is due to begin on 20 minutes time (at time of writing).
Australia will bat with Shane Watson opening in the absence of the naughty Phil Hughes. Watson hasn't batted higher than six in Tests before. That's their only change while England's is enforced - Ian Bell replacing the injured Kevin Pietersen. This could be an interesting little session here.
Thursday 30 July 2009
Thursday 23 July 2009
Dear Glenn
Mr McGrath
After your score prediction for the 2009 Ashes series some time back please could you remind me of the current score if you get chance?
Yours
An Englishman
After your score prediction for the 2009 Ashes series some time back please could you remind me of the current score if you get chance?
Yours
An Englishman
Sunday 12 July 2009
Day five
Rain? Who needs it.
England survived for a draw, albeit very much a losing draw, mainly down to the grit and determination of Paul Collingwood. Resuming at 20 for 2, it didn't look like it would last too long and the middle order did their damnedest to chuck away their wickets once again. Andrew Strauss and Matt Prior both got out cutting against the spin when cramped for room - needless shots given the match situation - which left Collingwood to see things out with the tail once Andrew Flintoff edged an unusually out of sorts Mitchell Johnson to Ricky Ponting in the slips.
Collingwood was a picture of determination, batting for nearly six hours for his 74, but got out with England six runs short of making the Australians bat again and with just Monty Panesar left in the hutch. Despite the crowd rising as one to salute his knock, Collingwood was clearly upset, head down as he stalked back to the dressing room. This was after Stuart Broad, who got a bit of shooter from Nathan Hauritz to trap him leg before, and Graeme Swann had both departed. Swann 'needed treatment' twice after being struck by Peter Siddle as England deployed some delaying tactics, much to the chagrin of Ponting who had a face like thunder. I defy him to say he wouldn't do likewise in the same situation.
So for the last forty minutes of the game, James Anderson and Monty Panesar were all that stood between Australia and a 1-0 lead. Monty showed some never-before-seen adhesiveness and Anderson made it 50 Test knocks without a duck and never before has either played such a crucial knock. Anderson made 21 from 53 balls, Panesar 7 from 35, eventually pushing England past the Australian total and securing the draw.
Relief all round then, but there's lots to do before Lord's and not much time to do it in. The match starts on Thursday and England need to address many things. Not giving wickets away would be a start. How many got out to good balls in the whole game? Not bloody many. Prior in the first innings, Broad and Swann in the second perhaps. Ravi Bopara got a duff call in the second too, but far too many were rash shots or poor decision making. The captaincy issue hasn't been addressed either. Strauss didn't or couldn't mix it up or come up with plans of attack. As such, England drifted at times in the field, making it too easy for Australia's batsmen. The bowlers got nothing out of a dead pitch, and those not involved are the ones whose stock has risen as a result of this game. Change should be resisted. The Lord's pitch will offer more than this one and the thought of Steve Harmison trudging through another Test fills me with dread. Graham Onions in next in line should England go with one spinner, though the spinning role is perhaps the major job up for grabs - neither Swann not Panesar covered themselves in glory, not with the ball anyway, while Adil Rashid was busy bowling Durham out.
Lots to do then, but at least Glenn McGrath's 5-0 prediction was wrong.
England survived for a draw, albeit very much a losing draw, mainly down to the grit and determination of Paul Collingwood. Resuming at 20 for 2, it didn't look like it would last too long and the middle order did their damnedest to chuck away their wickets once again. Andrew Strauss and Matt Prior both got out cutting against the spin when cramped for room - needless shots given the match situation - which left Collingwood to see things out with the tail once Andrew Flintoff edged an unusually out of sorts Mitchell Johnson to Ricky Ponting in the slips.
Collingwood was a picture of determination, batting for nearly six hours for his 74, but got out with England six runs short of making the Australians bat again and with just Monty Panesar left in the hutch. Despite the crowd rising as one to salute his knock, Collingwood was clearly upset, head down as he stalked back to the dressing room. This was after Stuart Broad, who got a bit of shooter from Nathan Hauritz to trap him leg before, and Graeme Swann had both departed. Swann 'needed treatment' twice after being struck by Peter Siddle as England deployed some delaying tactics, much to the chagrin of Ponting who had a face like thunder. I defy him to say he wouldn't do likewise in the same situation.
So for the last forty minutes of the game, James Anderson and Monty Panesar were all that stood between Australia and a 1-0 lead. Monty showed some never-before-seen adhesiveness and Anderson made it 50 Test knocks without a duck and never before has either played such a crucial knock. Anderson made 21 from 53 balls, Panesar 7 from 35, eventually pushing England past the Australian total and securing the draw.
Relief all round then, but there's lots to do before Lord's and not much time to do it in. The match starts on Thursday and England need to address many things. Not giving wickets away would be a start. How many got out to good balls in the whole game? Not bloody many. Prior in the first innings, Broad and Swann in the second perhaps. Ravi Bopara got a duff call in the second too, but far too many were rash shots or poor decision making. The captaincy issue hasn't been addressed either. Strauss didn't or couldn't mix it up or come up with plans of attack. As such, England drifted at times in the field, making it too easy for Australia's batsmen. The bowlers got nothing out of a dead pitch, and those not involved are the ones whose stock has risen as a result of this game. Change should be resisted. The Lord's pitch will offer more than this one and the thought of Steve Harmison trudging through another Test fills me with dread. Graham Onions in next in line should England go with one spinner, though the spinning role is perhaps the major job up for grabs - neither Swann not Panesar covered themselves in glory, not with the ball anyway, while Adil Rashid was busy bowling Durham out.
Lots to do then, but at least Glenn McGrath's 5-0 prediction was wrong.
Saturday 11 July 2009
Day four
Oh dear.
Even Rain let England down on the fourth day of the opening Test. The forecast was poor, but the rain held off until tea, whereupon it came to the extent that play was abandoned for the day. But it may be too late already.
With the clouds heavy and rain apparent at some point during the day, Australia got a move on. Marcus North went to a hundred after starting the day on 52 while Brad Haddin got there in quick time. It barely seemed five minutes between him raising his bat for fifty to doing so slightly more extravagantly as he notched his ton. The batsmen knew that if they got on with it, then they could stick England in before tea and have a nibble under increasingly dark skies.
Eventually the call came, after Haddin holed out for 121, Ravi Bopara taking the catch off one of Paul Collingwood's cutters. Collingwood was the only bowler not to go for a hundred. He only bowled nine overs, mind, and still went for 38. A really cruel opposing captain would have kept going until he too conceded three figures. 674 for 6 was the score when Ricky Ponting called them in, a lead of 239. Australia could only muster four centurions as opposed to England's five, so there's a note of comfort.
These short sessions such as England had to endure can often be tricky little periods. You're never going to win a game in such a situation, but you can definitely lose one and maybe England did. Mitchell Johnson had Alistair Cook plum in front playing across a straight one and Ben Hilfenhaus got a lucky-ish call for lbw against Ravi Bopara. Hitting him high on the thigh, well above his pad, Billy Doctrove didn't hesitate in raising the finger, despite seeming to be a determined not-outer in Australia's innings. Either way, Bopara was back in the hutch and there's no reason to think Hilfenhaus wouldn't have got him next ball anyway, with it swinging around at good pace. Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss saw out the remaining deliveries until tea and then the rains came.
The forecast for tomorrow is good and, with an attempt to recover time lost earlier in the game, there's at least 98 overs for Australia to pick up the eight remaining wickets they need. Even if England force them to bat again, it's difficult to imagine the chase will be of a suitably sizeable total that will trouble the Australians in terms of time. England have the mother of all battles on their hands to rescue this one.
Even Rain let England down on the fourth day of the opening Test. The forecast was poor, but the rain held off until tea, whereupon it came to the extent that play was abandoned for the day. But it may be too late already.
With the clouds heavy and rain apparent at some point during the day, Australia got a move on. Marcus North went to a hundred after starting the day on 52 while Brad Haddin got there in quick time. It barely seemed five minutes between him raising his bat for fifty to doing so slightly more extravagantly as he notched his ton. The batsmen knew that if they got on with it, then they could stick England in before tea and have a nibble under increasingly dark skies.
Eventually the call came, after Haddin holed out for 121, Ravi Bopara taking the catch off one of Paul Collingwood's cutters. Collingwood was the only bowler not to go for a hundred. He only bowled nine overs, mind, and still went for 38. A really cruel opposing captain would have kept going until he too conceded three figures. 674 for 6 was the score when Ricky Ponting called them in, a lead of 239. Australia could only muster four centurions as opposed to England's five, so there's a note of comfort.
These short sessions such as England had to endure can often be tricky little periods. You're never going to win a game in such a situation, but you can definitely lose one and maybe England did. Mitchell Johnson had Alistair Cook plum in front playing across a straight one and Ben Hilfenhaus got a lucky-ish call for lbw against Ravi Bopara. Hitting him high on the thigh, well above his pad, Billy Doctrove didn't hesitate in raising the finger, despite seeming to be a determined not-outer in Australia's innings. Either way, Bopara was back in the hutch and there's no reason to think Hilfenhaus wouldn't have got him next ball anyway, with it swinging around at good pace. Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss saw out the remaining deliveries until tea and then the rains came.
The forecast for tomorrow is good and, with an attempt to recover time lost earlier in the game, there's at least 98 overs for Australia to pick up the eight remaining wickets they need. Even if England force them to bat again, it's difficult to imagine the chase will be of a suitably sizeable total that will trouble the Australians in terms of time. England have the mother of all battles on their hands to rescue this one.
Friday 10 July 2009
Day three
As went day two, so went day three, or at least threatened to until a glorious and most welcome shower of rain interrupted proceedings.
The new ball came early for England and, after some dross sent down with the old one, wickets started to fall. First Katich, lbw to a swinging delivery from Anderson - possibly the first one that swung in the entire innings. Michael Hussey's runs at Worcester may have been a false dawn and he edged Anderson to Matt Prior cheaply. Ponting got to 150 before dragging a Monty delivery into his stumps; the first loose shot Ponting played in his knock.
Then lunch and, as yesterday, the batsmen took over. Michael Clarke and Marcus North set about the bowling and, without giving a chance away, took Australia into the lead.
Hope looked lost for England with the older ball not doing anything until their twelfth man stepped in to rescue the situation. Rain played a blinder, halting the Australians in their tracks. The runs completely dried up under Rain's onslaught and, if he can keep this up over the next 24 hours, should save the Test for England.
Make no mistake - Australia are in charge. England will not win this Test and how hard they have to work to secure a draw will depend on the elements and how many more runs the Australians pile on. Even though Clarke went late in the day and if North goes early tomorrow, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson can still put England out of it.
The Australian batsmen just haven't been put under any pressure. They've not been drawn out of their comfort zones and have played the ball into areas they're comfortable playing it. Nobody has had to take a risk and, as a result, runs have flowed and England are very much on the back foot.
The new ball came early for England and, after some dross sent down with the old one, wickets started to fall. First Katich, lbw to a swinging delivery from Anderson - possibly the first one that swung in the entire innings. Michael Hussey's runs at Worcester may have been a false dawn and he edged Anderson to Matt Prior cheaply. Ponting got to 150 before dragging a Monty delivery into his stumps; the first loose shot Ponting played in his knock.
Then lunch and, as yesterday, the batsmen took over. Michael Clarke and Marcus North set about the bowling and, without giving a chance away, took Australia into the lead.
Hope looked lost for England with the older ball not doing anything until their twelfth man stepped in to rescue the situation. Rain played a blinder, halting the Australians in their tracks. The runs completely dried up under Rain's onslaught and, if he can keep this up over the next 24 hours, should save the Test for England.
Make no mistake - Australia are in charge. England will not win this Test and how hard they have to work to secure a draw will depend on the elements and how many more runs the Australians pile on. Even though Clarke went late in the day and if North goes early tomorrow, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson can still put England out of it.
The Australian batsmen just haven't been put under any pressure. They've not been drawn out of their comfort zones and have played the ball into areas they're comfortable playing it. Nobody has had to take a risk and, as a result, runs have flowed and England are very much on the back foot.
Thursday 9 July 2009
Day two
Day two: Australia day.
And yet it didn't start like that. Momentum was the watchword from yesterday and England had seemingly lost it at the end of the first day's play. Nobody told Graeme Swann who blazed away for 48 entertaining runs with able support from James Anderson and Stuart Broad (and some less able support from Monty). Swann was left stranded as wickets fell at the other end, but they did what tail ends ought to: wag. Not only did they get runs, but they got them quickly and put pressure on players who may have been going out thinking they'd be batting sometime very soon.
The end did come and momentum swung again, back to the Australians, as Phil Hughes cut and slashed his way to a breezy 36. This kid is going to be a long-term pain in these Ashes contests. At the other end, Simon Katich had his Chris Tavaré head on and set about boring the pants off everyone (except the crowd-surfing young fellow who came dressed as David Gower) as he ground his runs out in no particular style whatsoever. Ricky Ponting was slightly quicker as they did exactly the job required and made slow progression towards the England total of 435 with both Katich and Ponting ending the day with grittily constructed hundreds.
Australia on top then, and by plenty. The England bowlers toiled on a day that failed to produce swing. Though spin was there aplenty, it was slow off the pitch and, consequently, easy to read. Swann was unlucky not to have had Katich lbw, but chances were few to non-existent. Tomorrow looks like being a long day for England in the field once again and these two batsmen could have taken one result off the table already; the one where England win. England need something inspirational in the morning session tomorrow, but it's hard to see where it's coming from.
And yet it didn't start like that. Momentum was the watchword from yesterday and England had seemingly lost it at the end of the first day's play. Nobody told Graeme Swann who blazed away for 48 entertaining runs with able support from James Anderson and Stuart Broad (and some less able support from Monty). Swann was left stranded as wickets fell at the other end, but they did what tail ends ought to: wag. Not only did they get runs, but they got them quickly and put pressure on players who may have been going out thinking they'd be batting sometime very soon.
The end did come and momentum swung again, back to the Australians, as Phil Hughes cut and slashed his way to a breezy 36. This kid is going to be a long-term pain in these Ashes contests. At the other end, Simon Katich had his Chris Tavaré head on and set about boring the pants off everyone (except the crowd-surfing young fellow who came dressed as David Gower) as he ground his runs out in no particular style whatsoever. Ricky Ponting was slightly quicker as they did exactly the job required and made slow progression towards the England total of 435 with both Katich and Ponting ending the day with grittily constructed hundreds.
Australia on top then, and by plenty. The England bowlers toiled on a day that failed to produce swing. Though spin was there aplenty, it was slow off the pitch and, consequently, easy to read. Swann was unlucky not to have had Katich lbw, but chances were few to non-existent. Tomorrow looks like being a long day for England in the field once again and these two batsmen could have taken one result off the table already; the one where England win. England need something inspirational in the morning session tomorrow, but it's hard to see where it's coming from.
Wednesday 8 July 2009
Day one
There is never an excuse for deploying a nightwatchman - never. On a slow wicket, England made decent progress on day one of the Ashes today in Cardiff. Everyone got a start and England rebuilt manfully after being reduced to 90 for 3 by lunch.
There was a wobble when first Collingwood and then Pietersen got out - a comical dismissal to a Nathan Hauritz delivery which, if left, would have been called wide - but Matt Prior and Andrew Flintoff put on a swashbuckling show to put on 86 for the fifth wicket. Momentum was with England heading into the final overs of the day, but then Flintoff played on to Peter Siddle and out walks Jimmy Anderson.
Now this isn't a critique of Anderson who has the most consecutive Test knocks without a duck, but attacking he is not. Suddenly the sting went out of England and, when Prior succumbed to a cracking Siddle in-cutter, the momentum swung back towards the visitors once again.
Ah, the nuances of Test cricket. After the smorgasbord of limited, and very limited, overs cricket, it's good to get back to the real deal. Day one was tremendously even and there are no markers laid down yet for how this pans out over the coming weeks.
There was a wobble when first Collingwood and then Pietersen got out - a comical dismissal to a Nathan Hauritz delivery which, if left, would have been called wide - but Matt Prior and Andrew Flintoff put on a swashbuckling show to put on 86 for the fifth wicket. Momentum was with England heading into the final overs of the day, but then Flintoff played on to Peter Siddle and out walks Jimmy Anderson.
Now this isn't a critique of Anderson who has the most consecutive Test knocks without a duck, but attacking he is not. Suddenly the sting went out of England and, when Prior succumbed to a cracking Siddle in-cutter, the momentum swung back towards the visitors once again.
Ah, the nuances of Test cricket. After the smorgasbord of limited, and very limited, overs cricket, it's good to get back to the real deal. Day one was tremendously even and there are no markers laid down yet for how this pans out over the coming weeks.
Tuesday 7 July 2009
Some Ashes predictions
Before the Ashes series begins, allow me to run you through some predictions for the forthcoming action.
My main prediction is that Mitchell Johnson will be a colossal pain in the arse all summer long. Too often throughout history have England had Australia seemingly in trouble with six or seven down for not many only to prove singularly unable to winkle those last few out. Johnson's already proved that he's hard to shift and he scores his runs at a decent pace. Don't get him out early and you're in bother. Then there's his bowling...
Crowds will still go wild for Monty, despite his barely knowing which end of the bat to hold and being a liability in the field. We just love a character and he's certainly that, but he's just not that good. He hasn't developed. Sorry Monty, but it's Adil Rashid's turn now.
Top wicket-taker: Stuart Broad. I like this kid. I think he is all that.
Top run scorer: Phil Hughes. The Australian version of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, I just don't see the English attack getting him out cheaply too often, even if Harmison did do him over twice in the Lions game.
England to win. There. I've said it. I think the spin factor will prove decisive. England have a spin factor and Australia don't and that's the major difference between the sides.
And finally, Jimmy Anderson to go the whole series without a duck, continuing his world record run.
My main prediction is that Mitchell Johnson will be a colossal pain in the arse all summer long. Too often throughout history have England had Australia seemingly in trouble with six or seven down for not many only to prove singularly unable to winkle those last few out. Johnson's already proved that he's hard to shift and he scores his runs at a decent pace. Don't get him out early and you're in bother. Then there's his bowling...
Crowds will still go wild for Monty, despite his barely knowing which end of the bat to hold and being a liability in the field. We just love a character and he's certainly that, but he's just not that good. He hasn't developed. Sorry Monty, but it's Adil Rashid's turn now.
Top wicket-taker: Stuart Broad. I like this kid. I think he is all that.
Top run scorer: Phil Hughes. The Australian version of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, I just don't see the English attack getting him out cheaply too often, even if Harmison did do him over twice in the Lions game.
England to win. There. I've said it. I think the spin factor will prove decisive. England have a spin factor and Australia don't and that's the major difference between the sides.
And finally, Jimmy Anderson to go the whole series without a duck, continuing his world record run.
Saturday 4 July 2009
It's not four years ago
It's just days to go now until the Ashes. You can't fail to have noticed, what with Sky's billboard and TV promotions of it. They're obviously putting great stock in the series after the huge viewing numbers achieved the last time the Australians came over.
There's a big difference though. Last time they were over here, the television rights were held by terrestrial broadcaster C4. As such, it was easy to attract new fans to the game. This time, it's Sky subscribers alone who will get to see the cricket. It's one thing for a semi-interested person to flick on and catch a bit of the goings-on compared to the cost of taking out a subscription.
There was a notable upsurge in interest in the game following the 2005 triumph and, certainly, ticket prices now reflect this with some tickets at the Oval going into three figures. Not great timing during the worst global economic slowdown in history. But the tickets have sold, by and large, and a lot of that is thanks to the groundswell of support gained four years ago. If the ECB are wanting new supporters to replace those who, for whatever reason, will not take Sky TV or fork out the ridiculous prices for Test tickets, then they need to work out where they're coming from.
Another thing not the same as four years ago is Steve Harmison. After a decent showing for the Lions in their match against Australia at Worcester, there was a growing call for his return to the Test side. Fortunately, sense was seen. Two decent spells in the match does not a return to form make. Yes, he's highlighted an area where Phil Hughes might be vulnerable, but there are plenty of other bowlers who can take his cue and work him over.
But some things never change. Glenn McGrath has gone for a 5-0 Australia win, just like 2005. Bless him.
We're underway on Wednesday in Cardiff. Buckle up.
There's a big difference though. Last time they were over here, the television rights were held by terrestrial broadcaster C4. As such, it was easy to attract new fans to the game. This time, it's Sky subscribers alone who will get to see the cricket. It's one thing for a semi-interested person to flick on and catch a bit of the goings-on compared to the cost of taking out a subscription.
There was a notable upsurge in interest in the game following the 2005 triumph and, certainly, ticket prices now reflect this with some tickets at the Oval going into three figures. Not great timing during the worst global economic slowdown in history. But the tickets have sold, by and large, and a lot of that is thanks to the groundswell of support gained four years ago. If the ECB are wanting new supporters to replace those who, for whatever reason, will not take Sky TV or fork out the ridiculous prices for Test tickets, then they need to work out where they're coming from.
Another thing not the same as four years ago is Steve Harmison. After a decent showing for the Lions in their match against Australia at Worcester, there was a growing call for his return to the Test side. Fortunately, sense was seen. Two decent spells in the match does not a return to form make. Yes, he's highlighted an area where Phil Hughes might be vulnerable, but there are plenty of other bowlers who can take his cue and work him over.
But some things never change. Glenn McGrath has gone for a 5-0 Australia win, just like 2005. Bless him.
We're underway on Wednesday in Cardiff. Buckle up.
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