Ashes 2nd Test Day 3: Hoggard keeps Australia on thin ice
Day 3 was one of those enthralling, seesawing days of Test cricket as Australia fought back with a 192 run partnership between Ponting and Hussey although late wickets left Australia at 5 for 312. It could've been a lot worse for us though - England squandered several opportunities to dismiss Ponting early in his innings. In the first hour of the day, Hoggard had Matt Hayden caught behind and Damien Martyn driving to gully. Martyn's dismissal in particular was frustrating - a limp bat played away from his body typical of the soft dismissals he offered England in 2005. If Shane Watson is fit by Perth (which is likely), it may be Martyn instead of Clarke that faces the selector's axe. Mike Hussey could slot smoothly into the #4 spot (he could slot into any spot) so personally, I wouldn't miss Martyn.
Things were going so well for England in the first session that even Harmison was bowling well (wicketless though, I must point out). The turning point was when Ponting, on 33, pulled Hoggard to backward square leg where Ashley Giles dropped a straightforward catch. It must also be mentioned that Collingwood also missed a clear run-out opportunity just before lunch, having a ping at the stumps with Ponting well short of his ground. But more attention has been focussed on Giles' grassed chance - somehow "dropped the Ashes" rolls off the tongue much better than "failed to run-out the Ashes".
Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey batted through the second session, putting on 80 runs to have Australia at 3 for 185. England bowled well but the pitch offered less assistance, much like England's innings on Day 1. The Ponting/Hussey partnership is turning out to be as troublesome for England as Collingwood/Pietersen (well, not *as* troublesome as they didn't quite reach the 300 mark). Just before tea, Ponting brought up his 33rd century, going past Steve Waugh's record of 32 centuries by an Australian. I wouldn't be surprised if he adds a couple more before the series is over.
England struck back in the third session. I was surprised when Ponting edged Hoggard to Geraint Jones as I fully expected him to bat to stumps (if he had, my headline for today's blog was going to be "Giles drops the Ashes"). Disappointingly, Hussey played on off Hoggard in his nineties. Putting on my nerdy statistics hat, I noted that Ponting's batting average ticked over 60 after this innings which is an impressive record. Not as impressive as Hussey whose Test average is 76. Of course he's only played 12 Tests so everyone is expecting that average to come down. It hasn't this series though - both his innings improved his average and the only downside is he failed to increase his number of centuries.
So how will this game play out? Australia are only 39 runs away from avoiding the follow-on with Clarke and Gilchrist at the crease so following on is unlikely. How much of an innings lead England gets will most depend on Clarke and Gilchrist's partnership. If Gilly can do what I've been hoping and waiting on for seemingly forever and score a quick-fire hundred, Australia could even go past England's 550. At worst, they'll end up around 100 runs in arrears. England will aim to set us a target of around 350+ to score on Day 5 but I can't see them having enough time to take 10 second innings wickets. The series should remain 1-nil to Australia but with England scoring a psychological blow.
| Posted by JC on Sun 3 Dec |  7 comments |
Thanks JC. I never watch the cricket on television when we are batting to save a game; too many unpleasant memories!! Accidentally saw a tea time score so forced myself to watch last session. When Hussey go out WIN TV down here inexplicably went to the news (for the first time this series I might add) so I missed the last half hour. Fully expected Australia to be nearly all out as there was still a half hour left, but pleasing Clarke and Gillie are still in and follow-on figure isn't too far away.
Must say Ricky Ponting was a bit ambitious claiming he still had hopes of victory. But hasn't he turned into a run-machine!!! Fifty centuries is not unrealstic for his career the way he's going.
Providing we get those 30 odd runs we should escape with a draw I reckon, I hope.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2006-12-03 22:51:25
Must say Ricky Ponting was a bit ambitious claiming he still had hopes of victory. But hasn't he turned into a run-machine!!! Fifty centuries is not unrealstic for his career the way he's going.
Providing we get those 30 odd runs we should escape with a draw I reckon, I hope.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2006-12-03 22:51:25
Yes, JC. I am usually a huge Martyn fan (only visa vie 'style' and nothing else)but I tend to agree. He needs to show that he can perform when his team needs him. Too many soft shots to ordinary balls outside off stump. He is good enough to get out to them but not smart enough to let them go.
Posted by TA on 2006-12-04 00:11:33
Posted by TA on 2006-12-04 00:11:33
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