Panic in Perth
By Bagpuss
January 2 2007
Have we thrown away the Urn from a situation where we had the squad to run the Aussies hard at home? After a "no-show" in the first Test and a disaster of a 4th day in the second we face the Aussies for, what could be the last meaningful time. Can the batsmen focus for long enough?
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND THIRD TEST
W.A.C.A. GROUND, PERTH 14 – 18 DECEMBER 2006
DAY 1
Nine days after England lost the supposedly unloseable test in Adelaide here we are in Perth. If Australia win this the little urn returns to convict hands after an all too brief spell away. Although the draw would keep the series alive England must know only a win would realistically give them a chance to hang on to the Ashes.
So finally a change in the team line up. The long awaited appearance of Panesar, hailed by Duncan Fletcher as the best finger-spinner in the world a few short months ago after the Headingley victory. But even up to the post-Adelaide post mortem he was trying to explain the exclusion of Monty by the need to bat down to 8 – citing the 100+ partnership between Clarke and Warne at Adelaide. Yes, but maybe if the best finger spinner in the world had been playing they wouldn't have made a 100+ partnership??
Despite a good showing in the 2-day match at the WACA over the weekend Anderson is dropped for Mahmood. It could be that Anderson hasn't looked threatening in the Tests. Or maybe that Mahmood looks a better bet in that number 8 spot. Jones keeps the gloves despite Read keeping impeccably and then making 59 not out at the weekend. But Jones hasn't made many keeping gaffes so far this series (not much chance to as very few edges have been in evidence from the Aussie batters!). And I would agree that Jones' batting technique is more likely to prosper against the Australian attack.
Australia are forced into making a change from their winning side by the unexpected retirement of Damian Martyn. What's that all about then? Marto has run away to become a surf dude in Hawaii leaving a spot for Andrew Symonds, picked over Adam (who?) Voges, to try to relight his stalled Test career.
The ground looked pretty full on Monday night when over 17,000 turned up to see the England Legends beat their Australian counterparts by seven wickets in a 20/20 game. Somehow the WACA authorities have shoehorned another 50% or so in today – over 24,000 in the ground. Members don't automatically get reserved seats so have been queuing since midnight. Those who managed to secure a vantage point would have been pleased to see Ponting win the toss. England supporters, at a guess near 40% of the total, sigh as Ponting chooses to bat. Here we go, 300 plus for not very many at close of play then. At least we have the trumpet in the ground for some distraction.
Hoggard opens from the Lillee-Marsh stand at the River End of the ground. Flintoff still mistrusting Harmison with the new ball takes it himself. Langer and Hayden set out to dominate – the plan must be to get a few hefty kicks to England's soft underbelly whilst they are still down after Adelaide. They are going along at 4+ runs an over when Harmison replaces Flintoff at the Prindiville End. There is some discussion whether this is the right end for him – there is already quite a breeze blowing across the ground and Harmison is bowling in to it. In the midst of all this discussion Hoggard at the other end gets his Aussie bunny – Hayden edges the out swinger and Jones takes the catch. 47-1 in the 11th.
Next man in Ponting, with a record number of Test centuries for Australia and over 450 runs so far this series. Common sense says we need to get him out early, when he always looks a bit vulnerable. Statistics tell us this is likely. Regression towards the mean, apparently. You cant go on putting in outstanding performances forever. Even Bradman was caught out by this though he had to wait for his final Test innings. But it doesn't augur well when he gets off the mark from a misfield by Panesar. Two runs, and the drinks interval. First over after drinks Harmison hits Ponting on the pads. It seems an age before umpire Aleem Dar puts the finger up. Even over the cheers of about nine thousand England supporters you can hear the yell of celebration and relief by Harmison. Boy did he need that one. Ponting out for 2, Australia 54-2. I spend the next few minutes trying to explain to nearby Australians, who are complaining it was too high (Hawkeye says would have caught leg bail which is good enough for me) the regression towards the mean theory. Seems a bit lost on those around me. What can you expect in a country where you pay $34.92 for two items priced at $29.99 and $19.99?
Ponting is replaced by another danger man, Hussey. Whereas Ponting always looks dodgy for the first 30 runs or so, Hussey is a batsman who never looks as though he will get out. There doesn't seem to be any weak areas for the bowlers and fielders to work on – if anyone has spotted something I'm sure the England management would be only too pleased to hear from you. But at least the scoring rate has slowed and as we drift towards lunch (Trotters bar or Carlton Hotel everyone?) we decide that England has probably had the best of this session, just. Panesar is brought on to bowl with just ten minutes to go before lunch to cheers from the England supporters and a comment from a neighbouring wag in green and gold next to me “didn't realise we had to play the f***ing Pakis as well”. At least if you're going to make racist comments get your facts straight mate.
Mahmood comes on at the other end for Flintoff and gets through his over quickly enough to allow time for one more from Panesar. Only needs one ball though as Langer presses forwards in classic defence pose but misses the ball and hears the woodwork falling behind him. Australia go to lunch 69-3 off 24.1 overs. Session to England.
After lunch and a few overs Harmison has been switched to the River End. Now with the breeze over his left shoulder he is hitting high 80s-90 mph, a sure sign that his rhythm is finally right. The no-balls have gone and just one marginal wide. This is more like the Steve Harmison of old – maybe the journey west has brought him closer to home, more likely he finally finds a pitch that offers a bit of encouragement – although this one is far from a WACA pitch of old there is more pace and bounce than anything seen so far this tour. Panesar is also relishing the extra bounce at the other end but Hussey looks set for the day and Clarke is moving along merrily. They take Australia past the 100 and reach their 50 partnership soon after, Clarke contributing 35 runs to Hussey's 15. But Clarke doesn't survive much longer. He tries to play a pull shot off Harmison and only succeeds in hitting it straight back to the bowler who pulls of a superb reflex catch Clarke out for 37, Australia 121-4.
Symonds joins Hussey. He has been saying since he was added to the squad following Martyn's going walkabout that he was determined to play his own game whatever the circumstances and he sets out to do just that. He rides his luck when Jones seems to fluff a fine edge off Panesar in the 42nd. One over from Panesar goes for 17; 6-6-4-1 as Symonds and Hussey put on 50 in just 51 balls but Flintoff backs Monty and keeps him on and the Luton boy gets his revenge in his next over. Symonds cant resist but gets just an edge through to Jones, though it took him two goes to secure the catch. Symonds gone for 26 off just 24 balls with only 8 scoring strokes, Australia 172-5.
Gilchrist joins Hussey. Hoggard and Flintoff queue up to have a bowl at him but they don't get the opportunity as Panesar tempts him and Bell dives to take the catch. Another duck for Gilchrist and Australia 172-6. They go to tea 184-6, Hussey 46 and Warne 8.
After tea Mahmood resumes from the River End, Panesar continues from the Prindiville end. Hussey reaches his third fifty in as many innings in this series and Australia pass 200 in the 57th. But Warne is riding his luck. And it runs out in the 60th over when he edges Panesar's first ball to the keeper. 214-7. Four wickets to Panesar and it is only right he should get a fifth, Lee goes lbw for 5 leaving Australia 234-8. Harmison is storming in at the other end and bowls Clark, 242-9, then three balls later gets the right end of a dubious umpiring decision from Rudi Koertzen as McGrath is given out caught behind – replays suggest the ball hitting somewhere closer to shoulder than glove. But Australia, who chose this morning to bat, are all out for 244 in just 71 overs. England's bowling attack has at last begun to fire – more specifically Harmison has unpacked his radar and found some rhythm and Panesar has proven that turn, bounce and enthusiasm in spades will get wickets here in Australia, even here at the WACA which has traditionally been a spinners graveyard. Only three five-fers have been recorded by left arm finger spinners at this ground, by Daniel Vettori about 5 years ago, the other two in each innings of match in the 70's, by the man to whom Monty has been compared, Bishen Bedi.
So England have up to 17 overs to bat this evening, probably less as the 7pm cut off point will lose us a couple of overs at least. Lee opens from the river end with a full toss that is dispatched through the covers by Strauss for 4. His second ball is a half volley which is given identical treatment. The over goes for 11. McGrath gets the new ball at the Prindiville end, just 4 off the over. Lee gets his first chance to bowl to Cook and tests the theory he can't control the short ball. He almost proves them correct as the pull shot is top edged but falls safe between backward square and long leg. Further short balls are treated more conservatively but it is his other bugbear that gets him out, wafting at a wider ball from McGrath in the 6th and edging it to Langer at widish slip. Cook out for 15, England 36-1. More problems for England as Bell edges Lee to Gilchrist for a duck, though he may feel unlucky that Rudi Koertzen missed Lee overstepping.
Clark replaces Lee at the river end for the 11th over The change should have brought the wicket of Collingwood who should consider himself extremely lucky to have survived, Warne spilling the slip catch when he was on just 4. Warne replaces McGrath in the 12th. Interestingly, having watched Panesar he is pushing the ball through a bit quicker than usual. Monty should be flattered, the worlds record test wicket taker is trying to copy him! England reach 50 just before the close, when they are 51-2 off 14 overs, Strauss 24 and Collingwood 10.
England's bowlers have put them firmly back in this Ashes series. It is just to be seen if the batters can keep them in the driving seat tomorrow.
DAY 2
Wherever I go there is no shortage of locals willing to offer up their opinion on the Ashes. Today it is the man in the sandwich shop on the corner (incidentally a splendid place where you construct your own sandwich, choosing whatever fillings you like from a vast variety. Not too sure about a fellow customer's choice of banana and beetroot . . . ). The man at the checkout was sure England would struggle in the first hour or so of the morning's play. I, of course, replied with confidence that Strauss and Collingwood would both register hundreds as England cruised to a 400+ first innings score.
My optimism appears severely misplaced. Clark (river end) and McGrath (Prindiville end)open with maidens. In the fourth over of the day Collingwood slashes at a widish ball from McGrath and Hayden takes a smart catch at gully. Collingwood gone for 11. It seems regression towards the mean is no respector of nations. England 55-3. Ponting has chosen his bowlers for this important first hour well – whereas Lee may have offered the balls for scoring opportunities Clark and McGrath keep things tight. Strauss however seems to be settling in well so it was with some degree of disbelief he walks when in the 25th over Koertzen responds in the positive to a vociferous appeal for caught behind off Clark. Replays look as though there is daylight between ball and bat, the technical gizmos are in conflict with “Snick-o” showing a faint deflection indicating noise from somewhere, “Hotspot” showing no area of bat contact. Whatever. Strauss (42) seems to have been on the wrong end of a dodgy decision for the second time in a row and England are teetering on 84-2 less than an hour into day 2.
Flintoff has joined Pietersen. At the top of his game the England captain looks as good a hard-hitting batsman as any in the world. Short of form and significant time in the middle he looks – well, not sure that Fletcher would want him at 8. So far in this series Lee has had the better of him twice out of three dismissals so it is no surprise when Ponting brings the speedster on from the river end. More of a surprise is that he leaves Warne chewing the cud at slip and brings on new(ish) boy Symonds at the other end. Pietersen is playing a cautious game but a boundary from him brings up the England 100 in the 32nd over. Flintoff is playing the odd classy shot liberally interspersed with heart-in-the-mouth moments. It ain't pretty and it cant last. Maybe concentrating on keeping out Lee's 150k + offerings at one end made him complacent at the other end. Symonds is the beneficiary as he defends and succeeds in edging a low catch to Warne. 107-5 and the way Jones has been playing must consider that Australia are through to the England tail with very little resistance so far. A three figure first innings lead looks distinctly possible, more so a couple of overs later when Jones slashes wildly at Symonds and succeeds in playing straight to Langer at gully.114-6. How Duncan Fletcher must have wished it was Ashley Giles rather than Saj Mahmood walking out at number 8. An over and a bit later the shell-shocked Englishmen on and off the field can go for lunch. In the words of Bon Jovi, England, 122-6, are quite literally half way there. And living on a prayer.
I decide to try altering the karma of the day by staying in the pub after the lunch interval (ok so the fact that the drinks were cold and the room air conditioned did influence my decision a little). But there is no effect on England's downward spiralling fortunes as Mahmood attempts I'm not sure what and top edges Clark through to the keeper. 128-7. Hoggard joins Pietersen who seems to have chosen an odd tactic – nudge a single early in the over and leave the Hogster to block the next four or five. Hoggard resists but this isn't doing much for the probable first innings deficit, currently still over three figures.
Ponting gets impatient and brings on Lee for Clark followed by the first appearance of the day for Warne, replacing McGrath. Lee almost does for Pietersen with his first ball of the day when his pull shot is top edged, falling to earth safely in the no-mans-land between mid on and square leg. Pietersen chooses the bowling of Hampshire mucker Warne to bring up his 50, his slowest half century of his career in 108 balls with 6 fours. The celebrations of England supporters are brought to an abrupt halt by the fall of Hoggard's wicket next ball – a leg break catches the edge high up and Hayden takes a good catch at slip. Hoggard out for 4, though the partnership added 27 to take England to 155-8 and within a hundred runs of Australia.
The loss of the eighth wicket seems to galvanise Pietersen into action. He gets a life when McGrath drops him off Warne when on 53. Fielding at long off he was loudly cheered by the masses of the Barmy Army behind him. But eventually we all knew KP would play one big shot too many. Symonds is the fielder who has to wait an age for the top edge off Lee to re-enter the atmosphere, all the finger crossing in the world wasn't going to make this fielder drop one. Pietersen on his way for 70 to a standing ovation from red and white and green and gold alike. 175-9 as Monty is greeted by cheers around the ground. He digs out the full ball Lee serves up to welcome him to more appreciation from the crowd. Harmison and Monty then set about doing their best to repair the damage done over the last 2 sessions. After their good work with the ball who can blame them. Harmison takes 10 off one over from Lee, next over Monty slog sweeps Warne for 4. Lee is trying to blast them out but I don't think bouncers are the way to do it – full and straight will get tail enders sooner rather than later. It takes a while for Ponting to come to the same decision but eventually he brings back first Clark for Lee then McGrath for Warne. Not before Monty takes another boundary off Warne, and he follows up with the sweetest of straight drives off Clark. Unbelievably England are less than 50 runs behind and we start to believe the impossible could happen – a first innings lead. Such fantasies are brought to an abrupt halt when Harmison whacks it straight to Lee. Harmison out for 23, Panesar 16 not out 16 (bettering five of the top seven batters). England at 215 are just 29 runs in arrears. The last three wickets have added 87 precious runs, with the 10th wicket accounting for 40 of these, the highest of the innings.
I wonder if the cameras caught Duncan Fletcher's expression after that straight drive by Monty. Surely more and more people are starting to realise the King has no clothes?
The wickets have been shared amongst the Australian bowlers, Lee more expensive then McGrath with two apiece, Clark the best figures of 3-49 off 15.1 and Warne just the one wicket. He will expect his time to come in England's second innings. But perhaps the spell that consigns England to a first innings deficit was Symonds 2-8 off 4 overs just before lunch. He may have disappointed with the bat but has contributed a lot with the ball and in the field. With reports coming in of Watson aggravating his hamstring injury in a State match Symonds in sure to start in Melbourne.
With England all out just about on the stroke of tea Australia have the long final session of the day to bat. In almost 40 overs Australia could set the foundations for a match and Ashes winning total. But if England make inroads they could be on the way to clawing themselves back into contention.
England get the perfect start when Hoggard's first ball to Langer is a peach of an inswinger that shimmies between bat and pad to bowl him. He thinks he has Ponting in the 3rd over too, but it is given not out and is probably a bit high. Flintoff opened from the other end but brings Harmison on in the 8th. He is immediately on target, getting some steep bounce. Ponting is hopping around but hanging on in there. Now is the time to get him – half an hour or so and the Australian captain will have settled and a big score will be on the cards. The Barmy Army have an additional reason to want to see the back of Ponting – our embedded Australian Gus has a bet with Boots, captain of the Barmy Army cricket team, that Ponting will get 150 in this match. The loser will be subjected to a radical if not particularly professional haircut. But Ponting stays, even Hayden, the only batter in Australia's top 5 to make a significant contribution so far this series, looks more secure than usual. The pair rattle along and reach the 50 partnership (and total) in the 13th over, the 100 in the 27th. Ponting gets 50 (85; 7) shortly followed by Hayden's first of the series (77; 8). Flintoff has tried all his front line bowlers without further success and Australia close on 119-1 off 36, Hayden and Ponting both on 57.
With the lead already 148, Australia will sleep more easily than England tonight. Will Ricky Ponting consign Bootsy's curls to the floor tomorrow?
DAY 3
The thirteenth day of the Ashes series could prove to be particularly unlucky for England if they don't make quick inroads into Australia's batting line up. The last day at Adelaide suggests England don't want a fourth innings run chase in excess of, well by Adelaide standards 129, but the deficit is already past that at 148. This pitch has got easier to bat on as the game has gone on though so maybe a figure of 250 – 280 would be reasonable. Which gives the attack a working figure of 100-130 today. Tough ask. Especially as the forecast today of temperatures in excess of 38C will make this the hottest day of the series in more ways than one. The match referee has decreed there will be two drinks breaks per session.
Hayden and Ponting set off at a fair whack. Flintoff has chosen to give Pietersen a few early overs with Harmison at the other end. Fourth over of the morning Ponting cuts a wide one from Harmison for four followed by a better ball which is edged to the keeper. Ponting gone for 75. Of course Ponting thinks the England supporters are merely celebrating the dismissal of the dangerous, currently number-one-in-the-world-batsman. Little does he know we have an additional reason for good cheer. If you go down to the ground today you'll never believe your eyes. For today's the day that Gussy is getting his hair cut.
Australia are 144-2 and the irresistible force has been replaced by the immovable object. Hussey. England cannot always expect to bowl out the other end so at some stage must find a way through “Mr Cricket's” defences. England believe they have the breakthrough at the other end immediately after drinks. The appeal for lbw against Hayden, on 65, is turned down. Hayden uses another life in the next over as he plays just wide of a despairing dive from Cook at midwicket. Panesar replaces Harmison at the river end in the 48th, only to be switched to the Prindiville end after three overs. He is getting more turn from this end and every Englishman on and off the field, as well as many Australians, believe he has his man when Hussey, on 15, seems to have offered the bat/pad catch. However only one Australian knows for sure and he ain't saying, and only one opinion counts and Mr K ain't giving. Hussey survives.
Ten runs come off the 58th over, bowled by Flintoff, to bring up the Australia 200. Next over Panesar manages to get a bit of extra turn and bounce to fool Hayden. The top edge is parried goalkeeper-style by Collingwood at slip, before he manages to catch it at the second attempt. Hayden out for 92, Australia 206-3. Harmison immediately replaces Flintoff at the other end – Clarke has tended to look uncomfortable against Harmison's pace and bounce. Jones drops a difficult chance off Clarke just before lunch, when Australia are 220-3, Hussey 43 and Clarke 3. Australia have a lead of 249 and England are taking lunch in the last chance saloon.
With the early afternoon temperatures soaring I choose to stay in the air conditioned comfort of the bar at the trotting track after lunch. On field temperatures have soared to the high 40s. Maybe this was affecting Jones' judgement when he runs to take the catch off a top edged pull. Of course he misses the catch that was really Pietersen's to drop. As England struggle manfully in the heat Hussey reaches his 50 (93; 6) and Australia pass 250. The new ball is taken at the earliest opportunity but doesn't bring any change in England's fortunes, though it does give Clarke a bruised thumb. Clarke gets his 50 (76; 5/1) and to great celebrations Hussey his first Ashes century (148; 12). As the most reliable batter of the series it is well deserved, though ironic that he has offered England more chances to get him out this innings than in all previous ones put together.
There will be one more chance offered, in the final over before tea, this time at last Jones accepts the catch. Panesar has another wicket and Australia are 357-4 off 89 at tea.
Symonds is out first over after tea. Australia 365-5, England's fourth wicket run chase currently just about within record proportions. But, just when you think the day cant get any worse, Adam Gilchrist turns up. He relishes this sort of situation. A big score already on the board he can play shots with abandon and if he gets out, so what. If he doesn't . . . . .
Gilchrist sings backing vocals until Clarke reaches his second hundred of the series in the 99th over (130; 13/1). Australia pass 400 in the next over. Gilchrist reaches 50 in 40 balls with eight fours – pretty swift by anyones standard. Apparently Ponting has sent out a message to say he will not be declaring tonight. But somewhere in the Chinese Whispers order of things Gilchrist has been told that the declaration will be made today. Taking this as an order to up his somewhat pedestrian scoring rate the ball is suddenly flying around all corners of the ground but particularly, and somewhat hurtfully in my opinion, towards the long on area where the Barmy Army are seated. Almost wiping out one well known England supporter and member of the medical profession, three sixes and a four come off one Panesar over. The sixth wicket partnership reaches 100, of which Gilchrist has contributed 73, then the 150 partnership. Clarke can just look on in awe then take the singles to put Gilchrist back on strike. Viv Richard's record for the fastest test century in history is in sight, but Gilchrist falls one ball short, a 57 ball hundred with twelve fours and four sixes. Ponting declares before any more members of the crowd are put at risk. Australia are 527-5, a lead of 556 runs.
There are six overs left in the day. It only takes four balls for Strauss to get his hat trick of dubious decisions. Shouldering arms to a ball from Brett Lee that swung in to hit him on the pads, I admit to thinking 'he's gone'. Replays show the point of contact to be above the knee roll and that the ball would have gone over. I have since heard an Australian commentator who shall remain nameless, partly to preserve his stupidity and partly because I cant remember who it is, saying “its fine with him when umpires give batters out lbw because it teaches them they should be playing a shot even though the ball would have missed”. Can you spot the flaw in the argument?
England close 19-1, Cook 7 and Bell 9. With 180 overs left to go if England can survive they will be pretty close to the 557 they need to win this match. Well, records are made to be broken!
But they aren't as England capitulate on Day 4 and hand the Aussies back the Ashes at the earliest opportunity. 3-0 becomes 4-0 with a 3 day drubbing at Melbourne and we go to Sydney with the possibility of being only the second England squad to tour Oz and come home defeated 5 - 0.....it's on the cards!! Thanks to Bagpuss for the commentary. I'll close that now and start looking towards Somerset's future in 2007 now that Justin Langer has been confirmed as our captain for the whole fo the 2007 season!!