Funny game, Cricket : isn't it? Ten days ago, people were ready to bet their money on 4-1 in favor of Australia. A week earlier before that, people were talking big things about "this new England". Today, here we stand in Edgbaston watching the brutal crushing of Australia in almost two days.
When skipper Clarke won the toss and chose to bat first, they had Lords at mind. Post a total large enough. Don't give England enough time to switch themselves on. Here, something was different. England had Finn. Anderson was looking different. Rain delayed the proceedings a bit. But till the end of day 1, England were trailing by 3 runs with 7 wickets in hand. Anderson had taken care of more than half of Australian batsmen. Suddenly, England were back to their best after getting humiliated ten days earlier. Among all the chaos, Rogers stood in the storm alone. Making another fifty. It looks at the moment that making fifty is like eating salad for him. It was his 9th 50+ score in last 11 innings. England didn't need more than 3 bowlers to bundle all of them.
Day 2 came. Johnson was on 299. He jumped to 301 in 3 deliveries. Both dismissals were xerox copies of each other : except second scalp was left handed. Australia were looking dangerous. They looked to restrict England at a lead of below 100 and then we all know what Warner and co. usually do in third innings. But, England had got probably the best no. 8 to ever play test cricket. Moeen Ali. Partnership with Broad of 87 runs blunted the Australians. The lead was 145. It was enough. Game resumed. Then it was Finn's turn. He ripped the Australians single-handedly. Two years ago, he was "Unselectable". Today, it was impossible to imagine dropping him. He looked indecipherable to the aussies. Warner fought single-handedly followed by Nevill. He was in a different zone. 35 ball 50. Finally, Anderson took care of him. Australia were playing to take it to day 3 after that.
Day 3: Australia fought as hard as they could. Nevil and Starc made England work hard for those remaining three wickets. But the defeat had become inescapable till now. Finally, England found those three precious timbers. Time for chase. It was all over unless England decided to implode. England didn't. Not this time. Lyth worries continued. He will remain a doubt for Trent Bridge. Belly found his lost touch. Two fifties in the game. Root was as evergreen as ever. Suddenly, England problems seem to disappear. England are making it ridiculous with win-loss-win-loss combo. Where do they go from here? We will have to wait and watch in the next two games. For now, 2-1 looks satisfying.
When skipper Clarke won the toss and chose to bat first, they had Lords at mind. Post a total large enough. Don't give England enough time to switch themselves on. Here, something was different. England had Finn. Anderson was looking different. Rain delayed the proceedings a bit. But till the end of day 1, England were trailing by 3 runs with 7 wickets in hand. Anderson had taken care of more than half of Australian batsmen. Suddenly, England were back to their best after getting humiliated ten days earlier. Among all the chaos, Rogers stood in the storm alone. Making another fifty. It looks at the moment that making fifty is like eating salad for him. It was his 9th 50+ score in last 11 innings. England didn't need more than 3 bowlers to bundle all of them.
Day 2 came. Johnson was on 299. He jumped to 301 in 3 deliveries. Both dismissals were xerox copies of each other : except second scalp was left handed. Australia were looking dangerous. They looked to restrict England at a lead of below 100 and then we all know what Warner and co. usually do in third innings. But, England had got probably the best no. 8 to ever play test cricket. Moeen Ali. Partnership with Broad of 87 runs blunted the Australians. The lead was 145. It was enough. Game resumed. Then it was Finn's turn. He ripped the Australians single-handedly. Two years ago, he was "Unselectable". Today, it was impossible to imagine dropping him. He looked indecipherable to the aussies. Warner fought single-handedly followed by Nevill. He was in a different zone. 35 ball 50. Finally, Anderson took care of him. Australia were playing to take it to day 3 after that.
Day 3: Australia fought as hard as they could. Nevil and Starc made England work hard for those remaining three wickets. But the defeat had become inescapable till now. Finally, England found those three precious timbers. Time for chase. It was all over unless England decided to implode. England didn't. Not this time. Lyth worries continued. He will remain a doubt for Trent Bridge. Belly found his lost touch. Two fifties in the game. Root was as evergreen as ever. Suddenly, England problems seem to disappear. England are making it ridiculous with win-loss-win-loss combo. Where do they go from here? We will have to wait and watch in the next two games. For now, 2-1 looks satisfying.
