So to the end of another Ashes triumph.
I am pleased to report that all the members of the Lotto Lot returned to the SCG in time for England's victory and, according to one member, Kate voted that a certain - and most unlikely - member of the team "gave me the sweetest kiss" when they went round the ground to offer special thanks to the supporters.
Before they set off home - "we want none of that one-day rubbish" - the veteran reported: "England showed everyone that you do not need high pace but that good, solid fast medium pace combined with accuracy and variations will be just as effective." He also praised the patience of the England batsmen. "They never attacked because they thought the next ball might be their last. They were all too aware of the destructive effect of four singles in an over; perhaps more effective than a single four, no matter how flashy,"
I texted back that some writers had given Collingwood only four marks. "Then they were not watching," he replied. "He took one catch that will live with me for a long time and, besides, he is one tough cookie. He never took a backward step in the face of all the sniping from the Aussies. I am sorry he is going but I guess it would be hard to explain why to the Lord's lot."
By the way, he added, "the money has gone, so with many thanks to J Smith of london, our sponsor, we are off home. It has been a fantastic trip, and I have had some experiences which will also stay with me forever. Kate was not the only one to receive a sweet farewell kiss - but I will not include that in my autobiography!"
Saturday 8 January 2011
Friday 7 January 2011
Where next?
WE needed 90 minutes to capture the first wicket - Siddle, predictably caught in the deep - and after exactly two hours England were bouncing up and down on the pitch, the series was safe by 3-1 and England had won for the third time in five Tests by an innings and plenty.
No stat tells you more about the difference between the two teams. England were strong and purposeful, well-prepared and determined and, despite the shortcomings of the captain, all men steeped in cricket knowledge.
Anderson was the hero and rightly so. They are strange, taciturn people in Burnley; I know them well from the days when Bob Lord, a heavyweight butcher who was reputed to hate reporters, was chairman of the football club. The rest of the press pack kept him at arm's length but once he realised that I was the only sports writer who was going to ring him he relented and gave me story after story. So get a Burnley man on your side and you have a man who will be your best friend.
Now England have beaten Australia in three of the last four series, pessimism is the name of the main feeling Down Under. They ought to count their blessings but my guess is that they will go on the inquiry, sacking everyone in sight and an orgy of self destruction route.
Remember that England lost 5-0 in 2006-7 yet most of the players from that series are in the current squad. Consistency in selection may be boring and predictable but it is the key to success.
As for England, who knows what will happen. In the past bad teams have survived, good teams have been torn apart.
Lets hope Geoff Miller and his mates have learnt that lesson.
No stat tells you more about the difference between the two teams. England were strong and purposeful, well-prepared and determined and, despite the shortcomings of the captain, all men steeped in cricket knowledge.
Anderson was the hero and rightly so. They are strange, taciturn people in Burnley; I know them well from the days when Bob Lord, a heavyweight butcher who was reputed to hate reporters, was chairman of the football club. The rest of the press pack kept him at arm's length but once he realised that I was the only sports writer who was going to ring him he relented and gave me story after story. So get a Burnley man on your side and you have a man who will be your best friend.
Now England have beaten Australia in three of the last four series, pessimism is the name of the main feeling Down Under. They ought to count their blessings but my guess is that they will go on the inquiry, sacking everyone in sight and an orgy of self destruction route.
Remember that England lost 5-0 in 2006-7 yet most of the players from that series are in the current squad. Consistency in selection may be boring and predictable but it is the key to success.
As for England, who knows what will happen. In the past bad teams have survived, good teams have been torn apart.
Lets hope Geoff Miller and his mates have learnt that lesson.
Thursday 6 January 2011
Prior warning
DAY FOUR
Lets devote the victory, when it comes probably before lunch on day five, to Paul Collingwood, fine all-rounder, and non-stop fighter for the England cause.
To lunch Thanks to 118 from Prior and neat innings by Bresnan and Swann England were all out soon after lunch for 644, setting Australia to make 364 to make England bat again, a task beyond the imagination of anyone sane. Prior was in his own seventh heaven with a six and 11 fours and a lot of energy in his 130 ball innings.
To tea (77-2) Once Watson ran himself out - as Prior whipped the bails off, he was close enough to the bowler and his partner to shake their hands but lacked the will to do so -it was clear there would be no miracle finale for the Aussies.
To close (213-7) England were close enough to victory to claim the extra half hour but Smith and Siddle held out. Defeat in four days would have been one more humiliation for a side already crumbling. Prior had four catches - and an easy run-out - to seal his day. He does not need a dedication to remember this day; a special catch by Colly on day five would round off a memorable series.
Lets devote the victory, when it comes probably before lunch on day five, to Paul Collingwood, fine all-rounder, and non-stop fighter for the England cause.
To lunch Thanks to 118 from Prior and neat innings by Bresnan and Swann England were all out soon after lunch for 644, setting Australia to make 364 to make England bat again, a task beyond the imagination of anyone sane. Prior was in his own seventh heaven with a six and 11 fours and a lot of energy in his 130 ball innings.
To tea (77-2) Once Watson ran himself out - as Prior whipped the bails off, he was close enough to the bowler and his partner to shake their hands but lacked the will to do so -it was clear there would be no miracle finale for the Aussies.
To close (213-7) England were close enough to victory to claim the extra half hour but Smith and Siddle held out. Defeat in four days would have been one more humiliation for a side already crumbling. Prior had four catches - and an easy run-out - to seal his day. He does not need a dedication to remember this day; a special catch by Colly on day five would round off a memorable series.
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Aussie goose Cook-ed
DAY THREE
Somone will have to bat a la Ponting for Australia to escape in the last two days.
To lunch (277-5). The sad sight of the series was the suicide shot of Collingwood at 226-5 when he tried to go over the top. He had scored only 13 and the score was advancing steadily but he thought he needed to prove himself after all those bad scores. Instead that stroke probably marked the end of his Test career. Cook reached 100, Bell settled down for a long, slow innings and England headed for a winning score.
To tea (378-5) Two hours and 30 overs of England dominance as Cook reached his fourth score over 150 and his third century of the series. His improvement in recent months is astonishing. Bell played one of the most intelligent innings of their trip. Now, beyond question, we saw that England are much the better side.
To close (488-7) Another 32 overs of Test winning batsmanship in which Prior added icing to the rich cake with a free-scoring 54. The lead of 206, with three wickets and two days remaining make an England victory almost inevitable.
Somone will have to bat a la Ponting for Australia to escape in the last two days.
To lunch (277-5). The sad sight of the series was the suicide shot of Collingwood at 226-5 when he tried to go over the top. He had scored only 13 and the score was advancing steadily but he thought he needed to prove himself after all those bad scores. Instead that stroke probably marked the end of his Test career. Cook reached 100, Bell settled down for a long, slow innings and England headed for a winning score.
To tea (378-5) Two hours and 30 overs of England dominance as Cook reached his fourth score over 150 and his third century of the series. His improvement in recent months is astonishing. Bell played one of the most intelligent innings of their trip. Now, beyond question, we saw that England are much the better side.
To close (488-7) Another 32 overs of Test winning batsmanship in which Prior added icing to the rich cake with a free-scoring 54. The lead of 206, with three wickets and two days remaining make an England victory almost inevitable.
Tuesday 4 January 2011
Jimmy Riddle
SECOND DAY
There is only the tiniest doubt that England will win the final Test
To lunch (230-8) The two and a half hour first session saw the end of Haddin, Hussey, Smith and Siddle but left the dangerous Johnson on 30. He and Hilfenhaus - who grinned each time the ball beat bat and stumps and finished - still grinning - on 34 added 76 for the ninth wicket. Australia reached 280, which probably shocked the wildest optimists in their dressing room.
To tea (73-0) Strauss, with the scent of victory in his nostrils, went off so quickly that he had 49 by the interval in 16 overs
To close (167-3) Strauss went soon after tea and Trott was also bowled in the next over. Just when Pietersen seemed ready to play one of his memorable innings he top-edged a ball from Johnson to long leg so that England's star bowler Anderson had to battle his way through four overs as nightwatchman. Phil Edmonds once declined the offer to undertake this job. "I've done my work for the day," he snarled and I sympathise. Why is it necessary to have a poorer batsman protect a man whose main role is to bat? Cricketers never take the point and get very upset if a nightwatchman makes a mistake. I don't understand it. "Hey, your job is batting - go out there and don't bother coming back if you get out in the short time left today."
There is only the tiniest doubt that England will win the final Test
To lunch (230-8) The two and a half hour first session saw the end of Haddin, Hussey, Smith and Siddle but left the dangerous Johnson on 30. He and Hilfenhaus - who grinned each time the ball beat bat and stumps and finished - still grinning - on 34 added 76 for the ninth wicket. Australia reached 280, which probably shocked the wildest optimists in their dressing room.
To tea (73-0) Strauss, with the scent of victory in his nostrils, went off so quickly that he had 49 by the interval in 16 overs
To close (167-3) Strauss went soon after tea and Trott was also bowled in the next over. Just when Pietersen seemed ready to play one of his memorable innings he top-edged a ball from Johnson to long leg so that England's star bowler Anderson had to battle his way through four overs as nightwatchman. Phil Edmonds once declined the offer to undertake this job. "I've done my work for the day," he snarled and I sympathise. Why is it necessary to have a poorer batsman protect a man whose main role is to bat? Cricketers never take the point and get very upset if a nightwatchman makes a mistake. I don't understand it. "Hey, your job is batting - go out there and don't bother coming back if you get out in the short time left today."
Monday 3 January 2011
Rain down
FIFTH TEST
Is The Sprinkler an accidental rain dance? England may regret their recent excursion into Strictly Come Sprinkling
To lunch (55-1 in the 30th over) Clarke, in for the injured Ponting, wins the toss. I assume the leave-everything-wide-of-off-stump policy was formulated in the dressing room but surely Clarke ought to have put England in. It would have signified a defiant attitude and saved us the sight of two batsmen who signalled they would be happy not to play a shot for the first two hours on a grassy but not hostile pitch. Tremlett was the best of the seamers; he has been a revelation on this tour and he deserved the wicket of Hughes last ball before the interval.
To tea (111-2 at a rain break) The new boy Khawata starts with a shot demo, is interrupted by bad light and then shows a raw technique from a short backlift. Why didn't Clarke bat at No.3? We got the answer when Watson was caught at slip for 45 and Clarke batted 21 balls for four.
To close (134-4 after more rain): Khawata could not resist a sweep at Swann giving England the bragging rights for the day. Rain prevented further play so that we do not even know whether Haddin or Smith will bat No.6 but there is more rain on the horizon, "Biblical" flooding in Queensland and the feeling of a wet draw about this final match of the series.
Is The Sprinkler an accidental rain dance? England may regret their recent excursion into Strictly Come Sprinkling
To lunch (55-1 in the 30th over) Clarke, in for the injured Ponting, wins the toss. I assume the leave-everything-wide-of-off-stump policy was formulated in the dressing room but surely Clarke ought to have put England in. It would have signified a defiant attitude and saved us the sight of two batsmen who signalled they would be happy not to play a shot for the first two hours on a grassy but not hostile pitch. Tremlett was the best of the seamers; he has been a revelation on this tour and he deserved the wicket of Hughes last ball before the interval.
To tea (111-2 at a rain break) The new boy Khawata starts with a shot demo, is interrupted by bad light and then shows a raw technique from a short backlift. Why didn't Clarke bat at No.3? We got the answer when Watson was caught at slip for 45 and Clarke batted 21 balls for four.
To close (134-4 after more rain): Khawata could not resist a sweep at Swann giving England the bragging rights for the day. Rain prevented further play so that we do not even know whether Haddin or Smith will bat No.6 but there is more rain on the horizon, "Biblical" flooding in Queensland and the feeling of a wet draw about this final match of the series.
Thursday 30 December 2010
Look back
The veteran texts 400 words. He is becoming adept with his new tech. "It was Bresnan what won it," he says, imitating The Sun all those Thatcher years ago. "He knows how to bowl, does the lad. Reminds me a bit of myself, all that long time ago." Let us see if Bresnan survives even as long as the next Test when there is a rumour that Panesar will take his place. I do hope not. Snotty Mike Atherton describes him as an honest toiler. Reminds me of a conversation with Clive Lloyd all those years ago. "It seems to me that as soon as they leave the field of play and become TV commentors they forget everything they learnt as cricketers," he said. I wonder, It's nore likely they think they have to talk populist rubbish to keep the - very well-paid - job on the gantry. "Move mid-off to extra cover," is nothing like as attractive a bit of commentary as "Why don't they put in a short leg and bounce him." The Lotto lads and lasses are already in Sydney preparing to celebrate the winning of the series, firewords over the Harbour and liberal supplies of Aussie wine. I do hope they are not disappointed. Tears ago I learnt not to trust the final game of an already decided one-day series. Just take note of my alledged wisdom. Remember Australia won the fifth Test when the Gatting team kept the Ashes all those years ago.
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