The Ashes
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loud, jumping out of my seat fantastic! No Jimmy Anderson?
No problem, he said Broad would step up and wow didn’t he!
I have to linger on this innings as it was so remarkable Steven Finn took the wicket of Peter Nevill, the only wicket to
fall with bails flying. Carrying on my theme of how few of the
wickets taken have involved the ball hitting the stumps from
the bowlers arm; 10 wickets - 9 catches.
Now, if the Australians could be caught out for 60 would
England befall the same fate? After the nightmarish 103 all
out at Lords it was a thought. Adam Lyth and Alastair Cook
opened the innings as they have for each of the tests so far.
England were on 32 before Lyth fell to a catch by Peter
Nevill from the bowling of Mitch Starc, a failure on his part
again I’d judge with only 14 to his name after facing 28 balls.
Ian Bell made a cameo appearance facing only 6 balls before he
was out, LBW to Starc. Yikes, England were on 34 for 2. Could
Day 2 be at risk?
Well, Joe Root was next to the crease, I was a big fan of this
lad before this summer, he plays the game with a huge smile
on his face and is a joy to watch as a batsman. He has a natural
talent and bats with an ease that makes hitting lots of runs look
a doddle.
Alastair Cook had quietly been making runs but became
another victim to Starc, his 2nd LBW, Clarke left having scored
43 runs and England were on 96 for 3 - 36 ahead! Unbelievable!
Joe Root was joined by his Yorkshire team mate Jonny
Bairstow and the pair set about showing how to use that piece
of willow in their hands. Both young batsmen provided great
entertainment - unless you were an Australian that is. Much
to his disappointment Bairstow was out for 74 to a great catch
from David Warner, Josh Hazlewood being the bowler. The
pair had pushed the score on to 269 for 4. Something of a
bigger lead.
Mark Wood came in as a more than capable night
watchman. I have to make mention of Mitch Johnson again,
he took a great deal of stick yet again, he was stood in front
of where I was sitting for quite a while and was very good
natured, pretending to throw his water at the crowd at one
point, signing as many autographs as people, mostly children
wanted and even a ‘selfie’ with 2 of my fancy dressed friends.
All credit to him - he’s become a real crowd favourite.
I’ve waxed lyrical about Day 1 so really haven’t left myself
many words to describe Day 2 and the fact that England WON
THE ASHES early on Day 3. That did need to be shouted out
by the way.
Joe Root finished the day on 124 and only added 6 to his
total the next day becoming Starc’s 4th victim after a Nevill
catch. He’d watched Wood score some classy runs at the other
end, he made 28 before Starc made his 5 for - sending the bails
flying!
Ben Stokes with 5 and Jos Buttler 12 fell cheaply - Buttler
becoming Starc’s 6th wicket - he ended the innings with 6 for
111. A great feat but not quite a match for 8 for 15. Mooen Ali
came in at 9 - not bad man to be coming in considering he really
is a batsman who can bowl. Stuart Broad seems to have found
his mojo with the bat and the pair set about piling on more
agony for the Australians.
Ali made 38 before we saw the second wonder catch of the
test match, I didn’t have a view of Moeen Ali so had pointed
my camera at Steve Smith as the ball headed to him and he took
the ball - I can relive that moment over and over again. Mitch
Johnson had his solitary wicket of the innings to the delight of
the largely English crowd, which is very odd!
Stuart Broad made 24 and with a nervous looking Steve
Finn at the opposite end Alastair Cook made the bold move
of declaring with a lead of 331. Playing mind games? Oh yes,
I’d say so!
14 Issue 42