Less than half-a dozen hours ago it was Australia that held all the aces in the Ashes series. Now things have not quite undergone a U-turn but are almost threatening to do so. All courtesy a freak injury to the greatest fast-medium bowling machine of modern times. With McGrath out, Australia look a ghostly shadow of themselves.
England on the other hand seem to have come up with the only possible way they could - go on an all-out attack and boy, it has been exhilirating stuff. I had said that a lot would have to go right for this English lineup to fire - the one factor I had overlooked (well disregarded) was Marcus Trescothick. I felt that his batting against Australia was always a lottery. Guess what - when the luck is with you the heavens will burst without restraint - Trescothick, no doubt a bit fortunately goes on to biff a great 90 and with support from Strauss England fairly raced along.
Well a bit of a comeback by Australia when the Vaughan-Bell pair yet again floundered, but Pietersen and Flintoff finally live up to the expectations of a grand symbiosis. Flintoff is especially surprising. I had reservations about his ability against quality spin and still do but he has played one magnificent innings - attacking Warne with full intent - really the best strategy - looking forward to more glorious strokeplay after tea.
Some people say McGrath may be out for Old Trafford too, others rumor that he may be out for the whole series ... wow !! Now we have a contest on our hands !!
Updates
9:34 - Flintoff OUT immediately after tea. Gillespie strikes. Australia get a foot back in the door.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Isnt this turning out to be some game! I think Warne is the key to Australia's comeback. If England can see him through the first session of Day Three, they should be home with a winning score. We should then be looking at 1-1 and the rest of the series will be hard fought. If Australia do fight back to win, I think England will cave in meekly for the rest of the series. This is their best chance to win and negotiating Warne will be the first step tomorrow.
I greatly enjoyed reading your blog. Keep up the good effort.
Yeah ... absolutely wonderful ! I hope for the sake of the series that England win but I would also love to see the maestro shane warne dish out something extra-special to compensate for Glenn McGrath's abscence ... so a bit of a dilemma there ...
Thanks and glad you enjoyed the blog
Though most people would feel this game is done and dusted, I feel we may still have a twist. With Warne and Lee at the crease tomorrow, we might be looking at some freewheeling strokeplay a la Flintoff and that may set the cat amongst the pigeons for England.
It is matches like these that give test cricket a much needed boost though having seen Twenty-20 cricket recently, I think thats the way the future of cricket is headed.
I would hate Australia to lose within 10 minutes tomorrow. A last fight would be a fitting end to an awesome and absorbing contest.
Well eng has won check out my blog too i have posted a few postings looking forward to ur comments
Post a Comment