England’s “Swann” Song in Adelaide

After four fantastic days at the Adelaide Oval, England were in a match winning position going into the final three sessions of the second test. Australia went into the last day on the brink, trailing by 137 runs with only six wickets remaining in their final innings. Surely Ponting’s men required a miracle to survive the day? For weeks now the topic of conversation up and down the country has been the weather.  For once, I think all England fans would have settled for snow if it meant a sunny day in South Australia.

England had mixed feelings as they woke up for the fifth day. On one hand, we were in touching distance of an infamous win on a bright sunny Adelaide morning, the lesson to be learnt here is to never trust weathermen. Unfortunately though, England would be taking the field a bowler down after the severity of pace man Stuart Broad’s injury was revealed. The devastated Nottinghamshire bowler had suffered a grade three tear in a stomach muscle and would not only be unavailable to Strauss for the rest of the test match, but for the remainder of the series. A big blow indeed for Flower’s side.

Despite this, England took the field with confidence and vigour. All eyes were on world class off-spinner Graeme Swann as he looked to take advantage of some substantial rough kindly provided by Doug Bollinger. With the ball turning and bouncing, Australia were going to have their work cut out. Despite this it was quickie Steven Finn who made the break through, dismissing the main threat Mike Hussey and justifying skipper Strauss’ decision to take the new ball.

From here on jubilation ensued. Anderson took the wickets of Haddin and Harris in consecutive deliveries, leaving the Aussie quick Harris with a king pair to his name. It’s a good job you bowled well Ryan. It was Swann though who was going to take the accolades from the day, dismissing North, Doherty and finally Siddle to finish with figures of 5-91 from 41.1 overs including 12 maidens.

England managed to not only secure a one nil lead in the series but do so with unequivocal ease. Losing by an innings and 71 runs, this is the first time the old enemy have suffered an innings defeat at home since 1993. The Australians were completely outplayed from start to finish and have possible changes to consider looking ahead to Perth later in the month. England’s celebrations encapsulated team spirit and a realisation that they are capable of greatness within the realms of international cricket.  

As I shot out of my arm chair screaming like a child on Christmas morning when we took the final wicket at 1am yesterday night (sorry housemates!), I sensed a feeling of overwhelming pride. Never before have I witnessed such a one sided performance in such a pivotal game. Despite tired eyes I still managed to stroll up to my nine o’clock lecture this morning smiling like a Cheshire cat. Better luck next time Ricky! Let’s head to Perth!!

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England Cooking up a Treat

What a scintillating couple of days it has been for every England fan up and down the country. Having built up some early momentum in the series, Strauss and his men had to capitalise early in Adelaide to keep the highly criticised Aussies on the back foot. After losing the toss and being asked to bowl I’m sure skipper Strauss was telling the boys to make the new ball count. I bet not even he could have dreamt of what happened next though...

On a surface any batsmen would love to pick up and take everywhere with them, the Australians got off to a nightmare start. After four fairly innocuous deliveries confusion struck between the Aussie openers. The result, a ball-watching Simon Katich found himself walking back to the pavilion without facing a ball thanks to a superb piece of fielding from Jonathan Trott. Nobody likes to see that.

Things only went from bad to worse for the hosts as opening bowler Jimmy Anderson served up the perfect ball to finish off the first over. Ponting could only manage to get the edge of his bat on a swinging, full delivery and found himself following Katich straight back to the dressing room due to a good catch from Graeme Swann at second slip. Australia 0-2, England in ecstasy.

When an out of form Michael Clarke decided to give Swann in the slips more catching practice just two overs later, leaving the home side 2-3, Australia looked a side on the brink. In the space of three overs England fans witnessed arguably the most exciting action since the Ashes series of 2005. I for one was in dreamland.

Although a small amount of Australian consolidation began to embark after a frantic start, England managed to maintain control throughout the day. Australia were eventually bowled all out for 245 with Mr. Cricket Mike Hussey top scoring, falling just short of his second century of the series. This left Strauss and Cook just one over to contend with to finish off proceedings which they did with measureable ease.

With Australia needing a special performance on day two to try and squeeze themselves back into the game, they got the start they needed. In a momentary lapse of concentration, Andrew Strauss decided to shoulder arms to a gun-barrel straight delivery from Doug Bollinger. Could this start an English collapse comparable to the memorable test of 2006? Despite the new ball nibbling around for the rest of the first hour, Cooky and Trott seemed to start where they left off in Brisbane and déjà vu ensued. The pair put on 173 runs together at the crease before Trott, looking to flick the ball into the leg side only managed to find Michael Clarke at mid-wicket, being dismissed for 78.

Kevin Pietersen then strolled out to the middle having had to wait the best part of a week for a bat. I’m sure it must have been hot on the English balcony wearing all that protection! KP wasted no time carrying on with the Australian demolition, ending the day with 85 runs to his name and his wicket still intact. The other man ending the day with a not out against his score was the compact figure of Alistair Cook. The twenty-five year old managed to bat throughout the day for a chanceless 136, giving the tourists a lead of 72 overnight.

I’m sure Ali Cook must be the bane of the Australian camp right now. The Essex man has made 371 runs, batting for a monumental 1,022 minutes since last being dismissed. The English opener now averages a mere 438 for the series. I personally believe it’s about time he started pulling his weight. Hopefully he will once again continue to inflict even more pain on the old enemy come midnight tonight. Until then, all I have to look forward to is Saturday night television. I know one thing; Alistair Cook unarguably has the X Factor!

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