the ashes
2015
Ian Bell threw his wicket away trying to hit Lyon out
of the ground, the ball didn’t carry and he was caught
by David Warner to the delight of the Australians. A
decent 53 to his name he’d helped take England to 132
for 3.
One more run was added before rain stopped play yet
again, it was close to the end of the day so proceedings
were halted with England a mere 3 runs behind the
Australians. An exhilarating day of cricket - at least if
you’re English!
Having had a day of showers and almost Autumnal
weather for Day 1 of the Edgbaston test a better day was
promised weather wise. Could the on field antics match
those of the previous day?
It seems that anything is possible in this Ashes series
and wow yes it was to be another cracker!
England started the day in a strong position being 3
wickets down and 3 runs behind; things were looking
good. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, Yorkshire team
mates were at the crease.
There were high expectations of Bairstow, brought in
to replace Gary Ballance - a Yorkshire swap. However
he’d only scored 5 runs when an incredible ball from
Mitchell Johnson threatened to take his head off. He
instinctively lifted his bat and the ball flew through to
Peter Nevill to see Bairstow dispatched.
Ben Stokes was next in, his stay was to say the least
a short one, the 2nd ball he faced was another cracker
from Johnson , same bat lift, same result! A second
Nevill catch, a second wicket for Johnson in the same
over. England were 143 for 5, A mere 6 runs ahead!
Was a collapse looming? Jos Buttler joined Root and
the pair steadied the ship; Joe Root scored 63 runs before
he threw his bat out at a wide ball, Adam Voges took a
great catch, Root’s innings was done.
Jos Buttler wasn’t far behind Root, he’d been at the
crease for 71 minutes acting as a foil to Root he was
caught LBW from the bowling of Nathan Lyon, he’d
made only 9 runs. England were 190 for 7 with Moeen
Ali and Stuart Broad in charge of adding runs to build
a decent lead.
Ali really is a batsman who bowls a bit, so his lowly
batting slot at 8 really doesn’t tell the story as far as
he’s concerned. Broad has had the ability to score runs
and looks very batsman like, but to a degree has looked
nervous at the wicket after being hit fully in the face by
a ball from Varun Aaron - the ball went through his face
guard leaving him looking a lot like a panda for the rest
of the 2014 summer.
Both men batted with determination and showed
a patience and resilience some of the higher order
batsmen hadn’t. Their partnership saw a very handy
87 runs added to the total. Broad showed no fear of the
ball and batted well for his 31, before he was caught by
Mitchell Marsh from the bowling of Josh Hazlewood.
Hazlewood also despatched Ali 10 runs later with a
catch from David Warner. The tail enders didn’t last
very long, with Anderson’s wicket being the last to fall
to yet another Nevill catch from the bowling of another
Mitch - this time Starc.
England were all out for 281, a score that looked
unlikely after the 2 Mitch Johnson horror balls, with the
lower order making up for the collapse in the middle
order. Of the 20 wickets to fall in the first 2 innings,
only 3 were clean bowled - and those 3 were Australian
wickets. A fairly remarkable fact. I think.
So, England had a lead of 145, would that be enough to
see an eventual win for them. Australia field some of the
best batsmen in the world - and in fact in Steve Smith
have THE top batsman in the world, on a good day he
could knock that many runs off on his own.
Chris Rogers and David Warner opened the batting,
Rogers had been the only man to make runs in
Australia’s first innings, would he strive again. Well, no,
he wouldn’t - Stuart Broad took his 299th wicket when
he had Rogers out LBW.
Steve Smith came in to bat, he and Warner put on 45
before Steve Finn started his blitz if you like - Smith had
made only 8 of those runs before he edged a ball to Jos
Buttler.
Michael Clarke very much in need of runs was next
up, he didn’t stay long, he played at another Finn ball
and was caught by a great catch by Adam Lyth, were
Australia on the verge of another collapse?
Adam Voges faced one ball from the marauding Finn
and he was on his way back to the pavilion, the catcher
this time being Ian Bell. Australia were on 76 for 4.
Mitch Marsh joined Warner, who to his team mates
relief had been batting sensibly running up a decent
score for himself. Marsh became the only batsman
bowled in this innings, the man with the ball was, of
course Finn.
David Warner had amassed 77 runs in some style
when he was deemed to be out, another catch by Lyth,
this time Jimmy Anderson got a look in as the bowler.
Australia were on Nelsons 111 for 6 and still behind.
Was it possible that this match could end in 2 days?
Peter Nevill had other plans, having made 45 runs on
his debut at Lords he set to saving his country from the
embarrassment of losing by an innings in 2 days. Mitch
Johnson who’d shown he could be handy with a bat in
Cardiff didn’t hang around for too long - he was caught
by Stokes from the bowling of Steven Finn.
The day ended with Australia on 168 for 7, or as Simon
put it, 23 for 7. Hardly a position of strength.
A thoroughly enjoyable, jumping out of your seat,
shouting out loud game of cricket! I wasn’t there for
Day 3 but must make mention of the final result.
Nevill and Mitch Starc his next partner had a
partnership of 64 before Nevill was caught by Buttler
from the bowling of Finn. He’d made a very respectable
59 - his wicket meant that, Steven Finn on his return
from the wilderness had a wonderful 6 wickets for 79
runs! An amazing feat!
Mitch Starc had stuck his heels in too and made 58
before he was caught out by the ‘sub’ from the bowling
of Ali. I’ve forgotten to mention that England had a blow
on the 2nd day with Jimmy Anderson being forced to
retire with what looked like a side strain, a real shame,
and on his birthday too!
Hazlewood and Lyon both made double figures and
Australia finished this second innings on 265 setting
England a tricky 120 to win.
England didn’t have a huge task in front of them, but
the opening pair fell, with Alastair Cook being bowled
by Mitch Starc for a mere 7. Adam Lyth didn’t fare
much better being deemed to be LBW from the bowling
of Josh Hazlewood. England were on a nervy 52 for 2.
Could Australia pull off a miracle? I’m glad to say the
answer to that was a resounding NO. Ian Bell seemingly
thriving at 3 made 65 and Joe Root made 38 - England
won this test by 8 wickets!
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