Ashes: The second Test
We are through with the first day of the second Test and England notched up 407 at over 5 an over in just less 80 overs. The unanimous verdict all round seems to be that England messed up by scoring just 400 odd on such an insipid pitch. And, that Australia are going to pile up 600 odd over the next day or two. And, then bowl out the Poms on the 4th day to get an innings victory. Hah! Could I please beg to differ? Not completely though. It is certainly possible, considering the might of the Aussie bowling, that they could indeed pile up more than 600. And, just considering basic probability, England will most probably still end up losing.
But, how come no one is criticizing the Aussie bowlers for the hiding they received? The next time India plays on such a dead pitch, and our bowlers concede more than 400 in a day, who do you think the press is going to blame first? Of course, the bowlers! What's different if the bowlers happen to be from Australia instead of India? Just because the pitch does not offer any support does not mean you can just run in and deliver the ball and wait for miracles to happen. I saw the game for only an hour today. The three pace bowlers did hardly anything of note (don't give me the excuse of the pitch, please!). And, particularly Warne was nowhere near threatening. His bowling lacked a good loop and his customary big leg breaks were not to be seen (ok agreed it is a first day pitch, but this is WARNE!). On the whole, my verdict is that you cannot attribute England scoring 400 in a day just to the pitch. The Aussie bowlers are equally to blame. You need to have a gameplan for any sort of pitch. A bowler cannot say "Give me a friendly pitch and I'll drive the wits out of the opposition. Else, don't count on me!".
Anyway, let us hope the English bowlers are fired up by the huge total for once their batsmen have chalked up against Australia. Yeah yeah, all of us know how good the Aussie batting is and that they won't gift away their wickets and that they are surely going to score in excess of 600. But, come on, who the hell wants to see yet another Aussie victory! Let us hope there is a change in the script this time :)
Update: Day 2
Until now, the Aussies seem to be returning the gifts the Englishmen handed over to them yesterday. Ashley Giles is supposedly pointing to the press box in the below pic after getting rid of Ponting. Given the magnanimity that Ponting displayed in throwing away his wicket, I don't think Giles can claim any credit whatsoever for that dismissal!
Query:
BTW, can anyone shed light on why Giles is referred to as the "King of Spain"? Have read that phrase umpteen number of times since morning. Is it because he is not the "King of Spin"? ;-)
Interesting stat hot off the blocks:
Warne becomes the first bowler to take 100 wickets in an overseas country. Tells you not only what a great bowler he is, but also that the Englishmen have been his bunnies for 12 years now!
Update:
Another interesting stat I came upon just now. When McGrath is part of the Aussie lineup, Brett Lee's bowling average is 28 and when he does not have McGrath's support, Lee's average is an abysmal 47! One can only wonder what are the prospects of Lee continuing to play for Australia for tests once McGrath hangs up his boots ...
Yet another Update:
Just noticed this hilarious bit on The Guardian:
Stat of the day
It's been 22 Tests since England topped Australia on first innings. And to dial random Australian numbers to remind them of this fact, the international code is +61.
I guess no one can beat the English tabloids at stretching things too far!
Cheers,
Harsha
posted by Harsha V. Madhyastha @ 3:40 PM
13 Comments:
I don't know if Australia will score 600+ or not, but definitely England did miss a big chance. McGrath wasn't playing, Brett Lee was bowling poorly, and at some point their score was 112/0.
In fact I am beginning to think that the English batting lineup is currently very poor. They have attacking batsmen at 5,6 and 7, Vaughan is not in good form and Warne can pick Bell anytime. It kind of implies that once England lose their openers, they don't have batsmen who can stay at the wicket. And hence, scoring 200 additional runs is always going to be difficult for them.
The Eng batsmen could have been bundled out earlier (once Strauss and Tresco got out) with a more disciplined bowling and they probably gave away 50-75 extra runs.
But, that doesn't imply that England can get Aus out for less than 400. They have batsmen like Katich, Martyn and Ponting who won't get out easily on this pitch. So, if Eng doesn't get some really quick wickets (with the first or the 2nd new ball), expect Aus to score 500+.
BTW, if I am Flintoff or Simon Jones I will have a deep point/cover and leave midoff open and bowl well outside off with 2 slips and a gully and make them drive to good length deliveries. Looking at the scoring chart, that looks like a good option on a slow pitch. It saves boundaries and also gives you a chance to get some wickets.
Wow! That's a really long comment; might as well be a post!
Yes, I too feel the English batting lacks depth. Effectively their tail starts at 4 down. This is because Flintoff is basically a bowling all-rounder and Geraint Jones hasn't shown any worth with the bat in Tests. So, the options I think they have are:
1. Get a wicket-keeper who really can bat - Matt Prior?
2. Drop one of the bowlers and get an extra batsman - don't see any in sight with Thorpe having retired
3. Drop one of the bowlers and get in a batting allrounder - Paul Collingwood?
If they want to stick with the current lineup, atleast two of Vaughan, Bell and Pietersen have to fire every time. Until now, Vaughan and Bell have failed on all 3 occasions.
Yes, your suggested field settings look great. I read somwhere that England scored only 28 of their 407 runs in the 'V', which clearly demonstrates that the ball is not coming onto the bat to hit it on the up.
Most importantly, I guess they'll have to dismiss both openers early tomorrow when the conditions will be helpful. If Langer and Hayden get set, England will have to be prepared for two long days in the field!
actually the english bowlers are bowling just about decent and that itself has proven good enough ( not withstanding aussies' gifts ).
That it self shows how pathetic the aussie bowling was yesterday. With a bret lee that bowls well once in 25 bluemoons and a gillespie still struggling to recollect how to bowl , there was just rubbish on offer and it is an indication of how badly the pommies batted that they were all out by the end of the day.
Here's hoping gilly rediscovers his touch and does a flintoff act himself!
I havent watched the match but just from reports and scorecards and stats and all that stuff...it seems like an extended version of 20/20 going on there!
i think these guys have had a drink too many before the game! The shot shane warne played to get out and overall the kind of blind swinging of bats going on is ridiculous! Gilchrist is giving the tailenders strike off the second ball of each over and they are playing ridiculous shots with edges and lbw shouts ....its as if aussies are tired of batting!
I was kinda hoping gilchrist would come good...but looks like he is happy to just remain not out....
Oh! and the most ridiculous thing....giles has 3 wickets....Aaaaaah!
Considering that the tail is in, I wonder why Gilchrist hasn't started going hammer-and-tongs yet.
And yes, the "King of Spain" is certainly on top! He should have a lot to write about in his column in the Guardian next week ;)
About that king of spain thing....check out This wikipedia link and you will find the answer in the 3rd paragraph....
I prefer the Wheelie bin one to king of spain though...
And just as i type this lee is gone.....
*Sigh!* looks like everyone including aussies want the pommies to win...
PS: I think i have put in one too many comments ....need to avoid the "Leave ur comment" link :)
Thanks for link Karthik. My guess was indeed right! :)
The only obstacle in England's way now is Gillespie. He has the patience of a sage and can defend away for eternity. Hopefully Harmison will be able to bounce him out.
BTW, please don't hold yourself back from posting comments. After all, such occasions where the Poms are dominating the Aussies rarely come by!
gilchrist must have been on sedatives of some sort.....he must be wondering what exactly he was doing all that time in the middle!
Im sure if he had been fine, 99 run lead would have reduced by atleast 40-50 runs....oh so valuable runs in this slogfest!
Meanwhile, lee inaugrates the latest phase of this slambang celebration....with a full ball outside the offstump..
Maybe england could mock the aussies by reversing their order.....certainly harmison, jones, giles and co batted better than vaughan and bell!
( No that is not being childish...thats on par with the "i will trash your bowling come what may" attitude they seem to have now ) :)
I think the turning point was Langer's dismissal. And, Simon Jones can take full credit of that. I'd like to give some credit to Giles also. He bowled a good line and length, varied his pace, has a good arm ball, and on top of that has an uncanny ability of figuring out whether the batsman is charging down the wicket.
Both the teams batted poorly on this pitch, but anyway Eng have a 100 run lead. Their main job now is to get atleast 250, although I think a 350 run lead won't be enough.
The way Strauss got bowled to Warne, Eng is probably going to struggle to get to 250 (if Aussies can find a bowler who can partner Warne:). I am predicting an Aussie win here.
Strauss has been nowhere near his form of 2004 in this series :(
BTW, nice pic once again. I have always preferred magazines to novels :) "King of Spain" orders for his crown :)
Thanks Sumit! :)
Have been looking around for a good pic of Strauss' dismissal, but all of them just show Strauss trudging away with the bails off.
"And to dial random Australian numbers to remind them of this fact, the international code is +
61."
Hillarious :)))
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