OK, so today might just be the day that decides the Ashes. It’s a bit unlikely with two matches still to go, but an England win would make it very hard for Australia to retain the urn, an Australian win pretty hard for England to win it back.
The whole boring ‘team’ thing aside, though, there are some fascinating individuals for whom today could be a Very Big Day indeed.
Shane Watson - I’m bored of writing about him now, but an early dismissal this morning and he’s going to have to do some good work with the ball to avoid the experiment of opening with him coming to an end after one Test. He’s scored runs, but he’s looked like an ODI opener trying to play the same way in the longer game. And his pie-chucking yesterday doesn’t inspire confidence as a bowler, either. Needs both runs and wickets today.
Michael Hussey – Almost had the same brainstorm yesterday evening that he had in the first innings. Must know that he is one more lapse of concentration away from losing his place.
Mitchell Johnson – Brett’s fit again. Need I say more?
Nathan Hauritz – Assuming the Aussies have to bowl again, can he turn it like Swanny was yesterday, or will he again look like a nervously excited schoolboy who’s been inexplicably invited to play with the grownups?
Stuart Broad – One good bowling spell does not make a summer. His 50 yesterday could not have been more timely, but he needs wickets and lots of them today, because his bowling so far in this series has been as short of Test class as my writing is of Gideon Haigh’s.
Graeme Swann - On a pitch turning square, he should by rights run through Australia. Of the 8 remaining wickets, 3 are left handers, one a debutant and one Ben Hospitalpass. Time for him to show that he’s as good as he thinks he is.
And yes, I could’ve mentioned Bell, Cook, Bopara and even Collingwood, but when England bat it is going to be a run chase and some of the England side are actually quite good at that sort of thing. In a slogathon, I don’t think you can judge anyone’s suitability as a Test batsman.
I don’t understand. How did you expect Aussies to win this? They can draw at best.
Lou, Not sure about the skiver, but the reason Australia can still win is If they get bowled out not long after tea they could be 200 in front, then England will need to bat in a one day chase for 200odd off 30 odd overs.
Farkin Hussey – does enough to keep his place but does not contribute to helping his side draw or win the test. painful
My reasoning was the same as jrod’s.
This, in itself, is enough to leave me needing a lie down and a large brandy
North (who I find strange as a player) and Clarke are hopefully saving the game for us anyway.
Apparently Hussey’s wicket is VITAL according to cricinfo. You think those blokes who write that guff would follow cricket wouldn’t you?
How long is it since his wicket has been anything other than ‘meh.’
Swann is looking fairly ordinary this series, isn’t he? At the beginning of it, he was very full of himself.
Swann is a great bowler, in fact, one of the greatest, and a pretty good allrounder to boot. Right up there with the greats.
just ask him.