Edgbaston review: England saved by the weather
The big question heading into Day 5 was whether Australia could save the 3rd Test. But as the day unfolded and Australia comfortably batted out the second session without loss, another perspective emerged. The two days lost to weather didn't save Australia. It may have saved England. By the end of Day 5, Australia were 250 runs ahead with 5 wickets in hand and Michael Clarke on 103 not out. England would've been staring down the barrel of a 5th day run chase of at least 300. If the Australian tail wagged, possibly 400+. Given England's tendency to drop their bundle when batting under pressure on the 5th day, an Australian victory was not only possible but probable.
Sure, England dominated over sections of the game. But their inability to finish Australia off should be a source of major concern, particularly when the ball isn't swinging. At Cardiff, they couldn't get past our middle order once. Watching Australia cruise through Day 5 makes me wonder what might have happened at Lords if umpire error hadn't decimated our top order. I think I can say without any fear of Australian bias or partisanship that if you elimated weather and umpire errors, Australia would be leading this series 3-nil.
| Posted by JC on Tue 4 Aug |  7 comments |
I think I can say without any fear of Australian bias or partisanship that if you elimated weather and umpire errors, Australia would be leading this series 3-nil.
Thankyou for articulating this. When reading it I agree 100%, and I think it's why I cringe at the thought of watching these tests.
The poms have had a remarkable rub of luck to date, and we always maintain that these things even out over time... hopefully that translates to us finding an ally in Random Rudi and the clouds swooping in whenever we take the ball.
Posted by Moses on 2009-08-04 12:01:48
Also:
1. Once England were ahead they could have batted for longer and not lost wickets looking for quick runs.
2. After tea the game was up and England made it easier for North and Clarke, who had batted well. Ravi Bo/Broady bowling?
I'm hoping Rudi is umping tha last 2 Tests as at least that give Belly a fighting chance of averging 30+. Rudi must have something going on with Belly's mum?
Posted by barmyharmy on 2009-08-04 17:34:13
My 3-nil is pretty tongue in cheek. We still had our destiny in our own hands at Lords in Day 5 and it was Freddie that took it away from us. Ditto Cardiff - Mitch had many overs to finish off that game and couldn't land it on the pitch.
Posted by JC on 2009-08-04 18:43:19
http://icc-cricket.yahoo.net/match_zone/umpire_appointments.php)
Posted by barmyharmy on 2009-08-04 20:16:54
Also I think England have capitalised on their luck but we didn't eg Ponting and Clarke getting out shortly after they were given not out to lbw decisions that were plumb.
Billy Bowden - arrgh I hope the crooked finger doesn't decide the Ashes like Edgbaston 2005!
Posted by MT on 2009-08-04 23:31:28
their alternate innings batting failures..opening prb some what solved in 3rd test but again katich not scoring.. aussies sorely missing HAYDEN/LANGER combo their middle order consistently not supporting them and also missing MCGRATH/WARNE combo for taking 20 wickets in a test.
they could have win de 1st test ..but they failed to take the last wicket..
Posted by addy on 2009-08-05 16:08:50
Post New Comment
You need to be logged in to post a comment. If you're new, register here. Existing users, login via the right margin.
