Ashes 2010-2011: England all but wrap-up Ashes series victory
After Alastair Cook and Ian Bell had already posted fine centuries for England on day 3 of the fifth and final Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground, there was really little chance that Australia
would be able to stage any significant comeback on the penultimate day of the match. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s task was not made any easier even when they did manage to remove opener Cook for 189 to break the 154-run stand between him and Bell, because the majestic Ian
Bell then combined with wicketkeeper Matt Prior in a 107-run partnership that culminated with the dismissal of Bell for a fine 115 late on the 4th day.
Any diminutive hopes that the hosts might have had of rescuing the game on the fourth day were quickly put to rest in the morning by Prior’s belligerent shots. Having gone in not out on 54 on the third day, Prior wasted no time
in stamping his authority on the Australian attack with some truly glorious stroke play. He got to his hundred in only 109 balls, making him the fastest Englishman to get to the landmark in the Ashes since Botham’s famed Headingley blast of 1981. Prior’s 102-run
partnership with Bresnan and then Swann and Tremlett’s further resistance meant that their side’s eventual lead had risen to 364 by the time their last wicket, in the shape of Tremlett, fell. The magnitude of the lead meant that with a day and a half to play
Australia had virtually no chance to win the game and that the best they could do was cling on to their wickets and hope for a draw.
Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, however, apparently did not care too much for the idea of defending as he came out all guns blazing. He was particularly severe on anything short and pulled and cut with relish. His promising innings was ended on
38 when a mix-up with partner Phil Hughes caused him to be run out. Phil Hughes followed soon after edging a good delivery from Bresnan to Prior and continuing his run of poor performances. Debutant http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Khawaja-c2729 looked at home in the test arena for his 21
before edging a late swinging James Anderson delivery to keeper Prior.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120, who had showed both determination and some skill against swing bowling in his innings of 41, was again found wanting outside the off-stump as he needlessly edged a delivery to become another victim of the Anderson-Prior
partnership. His own disgust with the shot was apparent with his reaction when the catch had been taken.
Mike Hussey too could not repeat what he has so often done for the Aussies in difficult times, and was the next man to go with the score on 161 as he fell to Bresnan. Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin played his usual free-flowing brand
of cricket to get to 30 before was removed by Chris Tremlett, a wicket which prompted England to take the extra half hour available to try and wrap-up the match and the series. But although Tremlett did remove Mitchell Johnson, Australia’s top-scorer of the
first inning off only the next ball, all-rounder Steven Smith and fast-bowler Peter Siddle then hung on for the next 10.2 overs in the face of relentless England pressure. The pair had chalked up 42 runs for the 8th wicket partnership and Smith
had moved to 24 and Siddle to 17 when play for the day ended.
Australian supporters will be hoping that the duo and the remaining two batsmen in Ben Hilfenhaus and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Michael-Beer-c1949 can lessen the 151-run deficit as much as possible to salvage some pride for their team in a series that has ruthlessly
exposed the Australian squad’s lack of experience and quality.
Tags: