The Ashes Test 5 Day 2

Nothing that happened at the Oval on Friday can possibly of greater significance that one thing that did not. The Aussies simply did not show any guts, courage and determination or sense and pathetically and disgracefully accepted the bad light. Langer says that the decision was not his and the management had decided not to take a chance with Flintoff reverse swinging the ball in less than perfect light. I believe him. It is very much in keeping with the attitude shown by Ricky Ponting and the Aussie team management on this tour to make negative defensive decisions such as this one. Looking at the statement itself, one can see the shallowness and cowardliness of the decision. By their own admission, the Aussies did not want to take the chance of losing a couple of wickets to Andrew Flintoff's reverse swing. The sprirt of the cricket clearly states that bad light should be taken only if there is a chance of physical injury. This kind of decision could have been understandable if a couple of tail-enders were batting. Given the context of the series, maybe not even then. Has Ricky Ponting forgotten that this Test has to be won if the Ashes are to be retained ? How dare he be afraid of defeat ? What difference is it going to make anyway whether they lose 2-1 or 3-1 ? Does he not know that iffy weather has been forecast for the rest of the Test ? I must say whatever little respect I had for Ponting as a leader has been destroyed by this decision. And my sympathies towards the Aussies have also decreased significantly alongwith. For the sake of cricket (and that of McGrath, Warne and Gilchrist) I still hope the weather gives both teams a fair chance to win.

This pathetic decision in the end clouded a good performance by the Aussie openers. Langer has looked in good touch but needs to now go on and make a hundred. Hayden buckled down well. Will all of it become inconsequential ? Time will tell