Tri-Series 2007 Game 10: England thrash Australia winning bonus point (no, really!)
Isn't cricket a funny old game? Expectations were low heading into tonight's match. James Anderson flew home due to injury, no doubt envied by his teammates left behind. News that Ponting was injured was offset by news that Shaun Tait would make his ODI debut - who will forget his bowling in the two warm-up matches that precipitated Trescothick's breakdown. Robert Craddock at the Courier Mail was begging England to have a go:
It just won't do today for England to have another one of those jellyfish innings where they slide from 2-54 to be all out 120 and have a sell-out crowd home before sunset, sentenced to watch those tedious television programs slotted in when the cricket finishes early. More than 30,000 English fans have visited Australia this summer and they have added rich character to a dreadfully lopsided season. No group of cricket supporters have cheered louder and longer for less. Many have gone home but the ones who will attend tonight are the true diehards who deserve a farewell gift. Not since the band stayed on deck during the sinking of the Titanic have a group shown such determination to stick with a doomed cause.
Matches involving England and Australia now have a strong sense of foreboding. Centrebet announced last night that England would start at $7 to win tonight, the longest price it has been in its 454 one-day internationals - and no one was biting. Talk-back callers yesterday bombarded Sydney radio stations urging Flintoff to field first if England won the toss to at least guarantee fans something to watch after dinner."
Despite the nationwide surge of public sentiment hoping Australia would bat first, Andrew Flintoff selfishly decided to put England's interests ahead of the Aussie public and chose to bat. Shaun Tait debuted and confirmed his reputation of being fast, exciting and erratic. However, his main impact on the game was to drop Ed Joyce early in his innings, a miss of Black Cap proportions. It was a simple catch at third man, ironically with fielding coach Mike Young a few yeards behind him. Perhaps Tait was distracted by Young muttering fielding tips as the ball approached. Joyce went on to score a century, anchoring the innings and proving that maybe it pays to suck up to the Aussies before a match (which makes me wonder how Lou Vincent will go on Sunday).
Joyce was well supported by his teammates. Noye struck a few boundaries including a trademark front foot sweep off Bracken. But when he tried to sweep McGrath, he top edged it into his face, drawing blood (requiring 3 stitches). Next ball, he skiied to Bracken at long leg. He looks creaky in the field but Pigeon has still got it! Bell, Strauss and Dalrymple offered great support and England ended up posting an imposing 7 for 292. Those in the crowd who paid a mere $5 for tickets must have been counting their blessings!
Australia's innings began sensationally when Gilchrist was bowled first ball from an inswinging jaffer from Plunkett. I was watching the TV while shelling prawns and yelled out loud when Gilly's stumps were broken (I didn't spill any prawns though). In came Brad Hodge, a poor man's Ricky Ponting. Very poor in fact, playing on for 1 off Mahmood. The wickets continued to fall regularly with the low point being Andrew Symonds retiring hurt with a bicep injury.
Australia ended up dismissed for 200, losing by 92 runs with 11 overs to play. Okay, they were off the boil tonight. They rested a few players and lacked intensity. 2005 showed us what England can do when we don't turn up with our game face on. But England also showed a lot of character with the bat and had been improving over the last few games (the only way for them was up). They won the bonus point and are now level with New Zealand. So assuming Australia win on Sunday, it means England play New Zealand on Tuesday to qualify for the final. A competitive tri-series? Whodda thunk it!?
| Posted by JC on Fri 2 Feb |  7 comments |
I'm still stunned and not just through lack of sleep!! It all seemed to happen so quickly...one minute Athers was announcing the ECC have decided they need to look beyond the 30 already chosen for the world cup, even suggesting that Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash may be given places (I'm assuming that's so they could entertain the dressing room with their dancing!), the next minute England had actually won??!
Posted by okbl on 2007-02-02 23:58:30
Posted by okbl on 2007-02-02 23:58:30
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Posted by Cricpro on 2007-02-03 04:55:41
I like your blog very much, I like to link my blog with yours,if you agree than link my blog to yours and i'll be linking your's to mine.
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If you agrre than, just post a comment on my blog..
looking for your reply..
Posted by Cricpro on 2007-02-03 04:55:41
Games like this make you realise exactly how important Ricky Ponting is to Australia.
Have to acknowledge England's effort - I didn't think they had it in them. Those injury woes might be a blessing in disguise. In my opinion the newer players not suffering from Ashes dysphoria have provided a foundation for England's improvement over the past couple of games.
The Aussies have some work to do on the team make-up still. They don't seem to have a reliable replacement for when one of the top order are injured. And I have yet to be convinced about Cameron White's position in the team. And I've never been convinced by Shaun Tait. Tait is not the answer to death-bowling, if it's even a question or a mere abberation on one night on a bastmen-friendly pitch in Perth.
Posted by Lliam on 2007-02-03 05:00:28
Have to acknowledge England's effort - I didn't think they had it in them. Those injury woes might be a blessing in disguise. In my opinion the newer players not suffering from Ashes dysphoria have provided a foundation for England's improvement over the past couple of games.
The Aussies have some work to do on the team make-up still. They don't seem to have a reliable replacement for when one of the top order are injured. And I have yet to be convinced about Cameron White's position in the team. And I've never been convinced by Shaun Tait. Tait is not the answer to death-bowling, if it's even a question or a mere abberation on one night on a bastmen-friendly pitch in Perth.
Posted by Lliam on 2007-02-03 05:00:28
Spot on Lliam. Tait I'd be willing to risk in Test matches because of his wicket-taking ability; but you can't afford to risk his inaccuracy in one-day stuff. Five for eighty is not as acceptable as two for forty.
It was obvious after about 30 minutes of this game that Australia was in trouble. Body language was all wrong.
And I hope nothing is too seriously amiss with JC's favourite player Roy. I'd go so far as to suggest that we can't win the World Cup without him.
Stuart Clark does not seem to have his one-day skates on.
Bring back the Hilf!!.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-02-03 10:05:38
It was obvious after about 30 minutes of this game that Australia was in trouble. Body language was all wrong.
And I hope nothing is too seriously amiss with JC's favourite player Roy. I'd go so far as to suggest that we can't win the World Cup without him.
Stuart Clark does not seem to have his one-day skates on.
Bring back the Hilf!!.
Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-02-03 10:05:38
I got no problem with Roy in ODI's, he just doesn't have the chops at Test level.
Clark has gone off the boil since the Tests. The pecking order would seem to be Bracken, McGrath, Lee, Johnson. Tait seems to have blown his chance so Hilfy or Clark are next. I'd like to keep Clark for the Tests so I hope Hilfy goes to the World Cup but I doubt that'll happen. The kid's young, there's plenty of time for him.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-03 10:37:48
Clark has gone off the boil since the Tests. The pecking order would seem to be Bracken, McGrath, Lee, Johnson. Tait seems to have blown his chance so Hilfy or Clark are next. I'd like to keep Clark for the Tests so I hope Hilfy goes to the World Cup but I doubt that'll happen. The kid's young, there's plenty of time for him.
Posted by JC on 2007-02-03 10:37:48
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