Saturday, July 11, 2015

England v Australia, 1st Test, Day 4 - England are the worthy winners


England’s victory was just a matter of time and they deserved to win this Test match. It had been an all-round performance from them – their planning and execution of those plans was spot on. As we are well aware of Australia’s fighting spirit, we expected them to put up a brave show; but sadly they didn’t live up to the expectations of their fans.  They succumbed against some thoughtful bowling display from Stuart Broad and Mark Wood.

Stuart Broad and Mark Wood’s brilliant spell

Australia’s hopes had started to dent since the start of 28-over. After the dismissal of David Warner, Cook engaged Stuart Broad and Mark Wood. From over 28 to 35, these two dished out a fantastic exhibition of pace bowling which was a delight for those who relish watching quality fast bowling.

Their spell was not only thrilling, but very much thoughtful as well. The dismissals of Steve Smith and Michael Clarke had been the result of some smart thinking.

Steve Smith was outsmart by the variation of length

The first ball of over 28 was on a half-volley length, which resulted in a boundary. The next delivery was fast and pitched on the good length area. No runs. The next delivery was fast and full and struck Smith’s pads – England’s vociferous appeal for lbw was turned down by the umpire. No runs. Smith was getting suffocated. The next delivery was on a back-of-a-length outside off and enticed Smith to nick it.

First one was a half-volley, next one pitched on a good length, then the next one was fast and full holding its line and the later one was back-of-a-length! Smith, who’s enjoying the form of his life, was left clueless by some smart thinking by Broad. Shuffling too much across the line doesn’t help every time.  

Michael Clarke was flummoxed  

Even though, Michael Clarke is a brilliant player against pace-bowling, but still he is highly susceptible against those balls which rises sharply from short-of-a-length along the middle-and-off-stump line. He ends up giving a catch to short-leg or short-square-leg fielder or leg slip.

Over 32. Michael Clarke cracked a boundary on the onside off Broad’s delivery. Michael Clarke was expecting a short delivery from Broad in the next delivery as there was a fielder placed at short-square-leg and the line of attack of previous delivery was on the middle-and-leg-stump. 



But Broad’s next delivery was full-outside-off, at which Clarke played a drive without using his feet. It was a Twenty20-like-airy-slash. The ball went straight to Ben Stokes at backward point.

Two crucial wickets dashed the hopes of Australia and they were the result of some brilliant thinking.


Don’t forget Mark Wood

Well, this Mark Wood has impressed me a lot. He has an excellent sense of utilizing the bowling crease and varying his length. Above all, his pace is deceptive. While bowling in tandem with Broad during that inspiring spell, he kept things under control via some lively spell of pace bowling. The guy has pace. He’s deceptive.  Test cricket needs such sort of pace bowlers more and more.  

Thank You
Faisal Caesar
  

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