Ashes 3rd Test Day 3: Gilchrist, Clarke and Hussey put England to the sword
Australia are only 9 wickets away from winning the Ashes after Hussey, Clarke and Gilchrist hit centuries today, declaring at 5 for 527. For good measure, they put England in with a handful of overs left before stumps and knocked Strauss over to have England reeling at 1 for 19.
England fought hard in the morning and Flintoff managed his bowlers well, apart from a curious decision to open with Pietersen. Australia started with a flurry of boundaries and I was thinking if this kept on till lunch, the match was all but over. But Harmison was back to his best and had Ponting caught behind in the 4th over. He also had a very close LBW shout on Hayden but surprisingly, Aleem Dar who loves to give Australians out LBW (just ask Damien Martyn) turned him down.
Hayden played a strong innings and butchered a chance at 100 (four centuries in one day would've been sweet), cutting a rearing delivery from Panesar to first slip. Warne will be licking his lips over the bounce Panesar extracted from the pitch - Hayden's dismissal bounced nearly chest high (and Hulk is a big unit). Hayden has had a dry series until now - if he'd failed today, I was prepared to forego my anti-Symonds campaign and jump on the Jaques-for-Hayden bandwagon. As it is, Hayden has kept the dogs at bay for at least another Test or two.
Hussey looked scratchy early on - lots of LBW shouts, a few edges plus several skiied pull shots. One should've been caught when Geraint Jones called for it but couldn't get to the ball - Pietersen could've strolled under the ball. I mark that as Geraint miss. Hussey went onto finally score an Ashes century - well deserved and hopefully there'll be many more. Not his best innings - he was nearly as lucky as KP at the Oval but I'm sure he'll take the hundred.
Clarke was in beautiful touch on his way to an unbeaten century - he really does seem a mature and much improved batsman since returning to the side. He's kept all the flamboyent strokeplay but with smarter shot selection. Clarke and Hussey form the kernel of a formidable middle-order for Australia and the next half dozen years look promising for our batting lineup. But Geraint Jones attracted more question marks over his spot as he missed a stumping chance on Michael Clarke in the last over before lunch. Jones is going to have to score a hundred and lead England to a world record win over the next two days if he's to keep Chris Read from taking his place.
Amidst the glut of runs on offer, Andrew Symonds came and went, caught behind for 2. Even Symond's dismissal featured a Geraint Jones drop as the nicked ball deflected off his gloves. Luckily Strauss was around to pick up his mess. Today's situation was tailor made for Symonds - no pressure, well in front, needing quick runs for a declaration. Ironically, around the same time as Symond's dismissal, news filtered out that in his first match back from injury, Shane Watson reinjured his hamstring injury. Brad Hodge, get yourself fit! I'm sure Phil Jaques would make a fine #6 - after all, Hussey is meant to be an opener too. I'll take anyone for the #6 spot at this point.
After Symonds came Gilchrist. I've often said that watching Gilly in form is cricket at its most watchable. Better than Ponting, Clark, Afridi - even better than Warne mesmerising a bemused batting order. There is only one thing more heartbreaking than a Gilly duck. That's Gilly scoring the 2nd fastest Test century and missing it! I had to go to a Christmas Carols evening which coincided with the 2nd and 3rd session. I smuggled a pocket radio so I heard snatches of the ABC coverage with delight and dismay. When I got home, I read the Cricinfo ball-by-ball commentary which said "his fastest Test fifty and it's a blink-and-you've-missed-it one. Shame if you did... " Thanks for rubbing it in, Cricinfo! Then to sink the boot further after Gilly hit 3 sixes and a four off one Panesar over, "If you can't watch this, I instruct you to go and find some highlights later, oh my word, it's well worth it." I did manage to see Cricket Australia TV's highlights (you need to be a CA family member to view it) but it's just not the same as watching it live. One of the greatest displays of Test batting and I missed it. I'm gutted.
I'll just have to console myself with the fact that we're a couple of sessions away from reclaiming the Ashes. Ponting made the surprisingly bold move to declare just before stumps. Yesterday, I thought about the possibility of Ponting declaring late today but discounted it. He's too conservative a captain - that was more Waugh's style. But I hadn't factored in Australia scoring 408 runs in less than 3 sessions. With only 6 overs to face, Andrew Strauss copped yet another dubious umpiring decision as he padded up to Brett Lee inswinger clearing the top of the stumps. Didn't stop Rudi from raising the finger though. It was a good declaration from Ponting to put the English openers in after a day of searing heat in the field.
So England still need 538 runs to win with 2 days of cricket to bat out. It's not a question of a draw - if England bat for 2 days, they'll chase down the score. It's not even a question of whether England can chase down the score - that would take a miracle even greater than Adelaide. Sure, Pietersen and Collingwood batted for a whole day in the 2nd Test but the WACA pitch is not an Adelaide featherbed. It's just a question of whether England can bat out Day 4. I'm doubtful but I hope they do just so I get my 5 days of cricket. Cricket Australia and the WACA staff will be hoping they can bat at least 25 overs into Monday so they get their ticket revenue. I wouldn't hold my breath.
| Posted by JC on Sun 17 Dec |  11 comments |
Í missed it too JC. Had to go Christnmas shopping. I've watched all of Gillie's flops over the last two seasons and I miss every game when he fires!
Posted by TA on 2006-12-17 01:38:40
Posted by TA on 2006-12-17 01:38:40
I was at the WACA for every glorious hit from Gilchrist. It was a perfect day for an Aussie Fan.
The whole game was brillant with the crowd bowing down to Gilly, and Boos every time Clarke got strike, (which is probably why he joined into the party). There were fielders on the boundary rope and still the 4 and 6s came. I was justing hoping Gilchrist could have had a chance to get some payback against Flintoff.
Posted by Andrew on 2006-12-17 02:01:03
The whole game was brillant with the crowd bowing down to Gilly, and Boos every time Clarke got strike, (which is probably why he joined into the party). There were fielders on the boundary rope and still the 4 and 6s came. I was justing hoping Gilchrist could have had a chance to get some payback against Flintoff.
Posted by Andrew on 2006-12-17 02:01:03
Andrew - I hope you weren't a part of this crowd booing at clarke when he was on strike,...thats just bad sportsmanship, and against out own team, not even the poms, dont ruin the game.
Posted by Josh on 2006-12-17 02:44:12
Posted by Josh on 2006-12-17 02:44:12
Booing Clarke reminds me of other Gilchrist's innings like when Ponting made a double century and Gilchrist made a booming 100 and all anyone talked about afterwards was Gilchrist. He can put anyone in his shadow when he's on his game.
Andrew, you lucky bastard!
Posted by JC on 2006-12-17 09:51:58
Andrew, you lucky bastard!
Posted by JC on 2006-12-17 09:51:58
To TA, it kills to miss an innings like that - in the first innings, Gilly came in just as I was going out to the post office so I hurried out and back again only to find out he'd got a duck.
Posted by JC on 2006-12-17 09:59:36
Posted by JC on 2006-12-17 09:59:36
I saw it (Gilly). Not rubbing it in, but it was glorious!
Panasar was rubbing his neck after *that* over. Continually looking backwards as the ball travels back over your head hurts after a while.... it's like whiplash for the ego.
He was even more gutted when he ran in for another beating and Flintoff picked up the ball and threw it to Hoggard. Sheepishly he put his hat back on and ran back to the outfield...
Posted by Timbo on 2006-12-17 12:54:38
Panasar was rubbing his neck after *that* over. Continually looking backwards as the ball travels back over your head hurts after a while.... it's like whiplash for the ego.
He was even more gutted when he ran in for another beating and Flintoff picked up the ball and threw it to Hoggard. Sheepishly he put his hat back on and ran back to the outfield...
Posted by Timbo on 2006-12-17 12:54:38
Watched the highlights this morning and had tears in my eyes. I thought the cracks I heard yesterday afternoon was lightning striking somewhere closeby. It was Gillie 6000 miles away in Perth!
Posted by TA on 2006-12-17 13:27:07
Posted by TA on 2006-12-17 13:27:07
JC - The whole innings felt like a highlights package. I loved it when there were 3 fielders around the midwicket boundary and he still kept finding the gaps. Immaculate.
Posted by jethro on 2006-12-17 13:52:20
Posted by jethro on 2006-12-17 13:52:20
It was simply awesome. Gilly, you are an out-and-out superhero.
On any other day we would have all marvelled at the magnificent century by Clarke!
Posted by Dan Tas on 2006-12-17 14:20:36
On any other day we would have all marvelled at the magnificent century by Clarke!
Posted by Dan Tas on 2006-12-17 14:20:36
Josh, The booing was more good natured in a way. Besides Clarke soon got his own cheers when he started whacking fours of his own.
Though the funniest boos was when Monty got taken off though. I am sure Hoggard didn't want to be brough on.
It was defintely one of those days when you would want to say you were there.
After the first sixes all the fielders went back, and still Gilchrist found the gaps. It was amazing.
It was a shame that Gilchrist did overshadow Clarke and Hussey. Especially Hussey as I am sure his average has reached some riduclous level, not only for this series but for his career. I remember it was around 85-86 before this innings.
Posted by Andrew on 2006-12-18 00:02:10
Though the funniest boos was when Monty got taken off though. I am sure Hoggard didn't want to be brough on.
It was defintely one of those days when you would want to say you were there.
After the first sixes all the fielders went back, and still Gilchrist found the gaps. It was amazing.
It was a shame that Gilchrist did overshadow Clarke and Hussey. Especially Hussey as I am sure his average has reached some riduclous level, not only for this series but for his career. I remember it was around 85-86 before this innings.
Posted by Andrew on 2006-12-18 00:02:10
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