First Blow to England

 

 

Ashes 2013

 

England Ready to Strike the First Blow

 

July 14^th

 

[09:30 CEST] History shows that winning the 1^st Test in an Ashes series does not mean winning the series, but it never hurts and you felt that the 1^st Test was the place for Australia to make a stand. This has been an incredibly hard, combative Test, but it looks like Australia’s best efforts are going to fall just short. This was a feature of England’s play during their best run in recent times in 2003/05: they would have bad session, a bad day, but still more often than not find a way of winning and, just when you thought that the opposition was on top, would stretch away. A feature of that side was that when most needed someone would also make a match-winning, or match-saving contribution.

We saw that again last night. Australia were close to closing with just three down and going into the final morning strong favourites. Graeme Swann, who has still not had much bowling this summer after his winter operation, his activity limited by injuries, had not been allowed to settle and had looked ineffective, took advantage of the opening created by Stuart Broad and landed two hammer blows.

Haddin and Agar are capable of getting Australia across the line on their own but, surely, Agar cannot repeat his first innings heroics. However, after bowling well and only just missing his century, he must believe that he can walk on water. Agar is the thirteenth spinner to be tried since Shane Warne retired – yes, that is 13 – it could be lucky 13 for Australia.

[10:50 CEST] Just over an hour to go. Michael Clarke thinks that Australia could win this by 4 wickets just after lunch. It is cloudy and seriously humid and the new ball is just 9 overs away, with the prospect of big swing available. You have to think that, if England do not strike in the first hour, Australia will be favourites and, if the match goes beyond lunch, Australia will win.

There are a lot of comparisons with Edgbaston 2005, when Australia went into the last day needing 107 to win, but with only two wickets left. They only lost that match by 2 runs and to a catch that many Australian fans still dispute as being a glaring mistake by the umpire. Here, Australia’s position is clearly better than in that match, which is still known as the best ever Test.

[11:55 CEST] Jerusalem live, although the version seems a little wimpy. I like to hear Jerusalem sung in a more full-blooded way. Agar survives the first over. Here we go.

[13:35 CEST] Lunch. What was that about Edgbaston 2005? Australia are inching their way to victory with an amazing last wicket partnership. 20 needed. 60 put on already. Surely Australia cannot do it?

[15:23 CEST] 15 to win. Anderson bowls. Haddin flashes. Nervous look behind. Appeal. NOT OUT! Review! Tiny mark on HotSpot. Marais Eramus says “there’s HotSpot”. Then “there’s audio” (Jonathon Agnew relaying the conversation). Then he tells Aleem Dar to lift the finger. ENGLAND WIN BY 14! Then, shortly afterwards, Snicko confirms that there was a sound as the ball passed the bat. Good decision.

Who said “remember Edgbaston 2005”?

I suspect that that may have been Australia’s best chance of catching England cold. Without doubt Steve Finn will be replaced for the 2^nd Test and there will be fewer cheap runs available for Australia.