The Ashes Blog

Symonds is out, McDonald is in, and Brett Lee gets another chance at glory on English soil. Frankly, I think the selectors have done alright. I am surprised they went with Ronnie (McDonald) over Roy (Symonds), but I think they made the right decision. As for the rest, it’s all fairly predictable stuff. Only one specialist spinner is in the squad (Hauritz), but that’s not going to be a problem. If Cardiff is a turning pitch, then guys like Clarke, Katich, and North are all wicket takers who can combine to fill the extra spinner position.

As for the fast bowling “pack”, Johnson and Siddle are automatic selections, which leaves Lee, Clark, and Hilfenhaus fighting for the extra 1 or 2 spots.

Here’s the squad: Read the rest of this entry »

I thought I’d try and put together a playing list of recent Australian and English players who have struggled to play as much cricket as they would like because of various injuries. Some seem to spend half their life on the bench, whilst others have experienced occasional injuries but have nevertheless missed out on some big moments. Here’s my Injured Ashes XI:

1. Marcus Trescothick
2. Phil Jaques
3. Michael Vaughan (c)
4. Shane Watson
5. Andrew Symonds
6. Andrew Flintoff
7. James Foster (w)
8. Brett Lee
9. Simon Jones
10. Shaun Tait
11. Bryce McGain

Not a bad playing list, but do you think all eleven could be simultaneously fit for a game??! And how many of these guys will play a Test in the 2009 Ashes series?

Australia: 7/372

England were able to get those quick wickets in the morning session, and were completely dominating until they came up against a couple of big Queenslanders. Matty Hayden and his good mate Andrew Symonds took control, putting on 279 runs (the sixth highest partnership in Test history for the sixth wicket) and all but securing the game for Australia.

For Symonds, this innings may prove to be as monumental as his big century at the 2003 World Cup. His Test career has so far been much like his one day career pre-2003 – lots of potential, and the occasional useful knock, but nothing of substance. He now has a Test 150, and will have the opportunity to add to that on day three at the MCG. After picking up a couple of handy wickets during the Perth Test, Symonds may finally develop into the batting all-rounder that he has always promised.

His partner in crime was Matty Hayden, who has also been a little short on runs so far in this series. His 27th Test Match hundred might be enough to keep those calling for his retirement quiet for a little longer, as his form in this game certainly indicates that Haydos could play out another season at least.

As far as England is concerned, this was yet another day when they looked great for a session, and then they completely lost it. Granted, they did have a few poor umpiring decisions go against them, but so did the Aussies. The difference between the two sides is that the Australians create more opportunities, so that if they don’t get them with the LBW, then they’ll just bowl ‘em out.

England: 215
Australia: 1/119

It was a strong display from the Aussies on day two of this Perth Test. England was on top on day one, but as has been the case throughout this series, they can’t seem to put enough good days together. This time it was their batting that failed them, leaving it up to their supposedly weak tail to put on the highest partnership of the innings. According to Duncan Fletcher, Ashley Giles was brought into the team for the first two Tests because he offered more with the bat. This was shown for the foolish decision it was when Gilo’s replacement, Monty Panesar, teamed up with Steve Harmison to add valuable runs to England’s total. Panesar’s perfectly executed straight drive to the boundary drew applause around the ground, and in particular from England’s dressing rooms:

“It was the shot of the day. Better than anything I played today. Better than anything I’ve played all series, in fact.”
- Kevin Pietersen

What must be going through Duncan Fletcher’s head this evening?

Australia’s second innings started with Justin Langer’s dismissal first ball, and I thought for a moment there that we might be about to see a classic Australian collapse. However, Matt Hayden finally started to look good, with one delicious sweep shot off Panesar’s bowling that looked just like the Hayden of 2001. When that came out, I knew he was comfortable.

Together with Ponting, the two of them seem impenetrable, and they look like they could post a pair of centuries. The pitch started to get easier for the batsmen around the middle of the day, and by the time the Australians got in, it looked like a perfect batting strip. With their lead already at 148, I’d say another 150 runs would be enough. England will struggle to chase anything more than 300, though if they’re good enough, the locals may try and set a target in excess of 400. However, as KP has pointed out, South Africa successfully held on for almost a day and a half last year in Perth for an unexpected draw, and England will be hoping they can do likewise. But then if the English do manage to get another 9 Aussie wickets today, then that will leave them with at least 2 full days to either bat out for a draw, or secure an unlikely victory. If they reverse their batting order, they might be in with a chance.

What are people saying?

“The most incompetently-selected England team of recent years were facing a desperate battle to save the Ashes this weekend …” – Daily Mail

“… Ponting has once again driven a dagger deep into England’s soul.” – The Telegraph

“Has Duncan Fletcher lost the plot? The dire display in the second innings at Adelaide, the prevarication over playing Panesar and the stubborn insistence on retaining Jones behind the stumps, would appear to answer the question in the affirmative.” – Brian Whorrall, comment at The Times

“Taking five wickets on the first day of an Ashes Test was incredible but I have to make one thing clear – it doesn’t mean people should think that I can turn this series around single-handed.” – Monty Panesar