Ashes Series 2009 – England Escape With Draw
Collingwood Leads Battle as England Remain Tied in The Ashes
Jul 14, 2009
Who said Test match cricket was dull and tedious? The final session of the first Ashes test at Cardiff proved that Test cricket is still very much alive and kicking.
At tea England had a slim chance of saving the game with Graeme Swann and the obdurate Paul Collingwood at the crease. But when Swann fell LBW and a lapse in concentration ended Collingwood’s superb 344 minute vigil at the crease – few gave James Anderson and Monty Panesar a hope of surviving the next 69 balls.
But what happened in the next 40 minutes of play had everyone on the edge of their seats. Panesar and Anderson oozed calmness and played out each ball, as the partisan home crowd bayed for them to survive. When Ponting and Anderson shook hands at a little past 6.40 to end the game, the crowds jubilation showed how crucial those 69 balls could be in determining the fate of the series.
Attention now turns to Lords, where England have not won against Australia since 1934.
Do Australia Have Any Concerns For Lords?
It is clear that Australia dominated the majority of the first test. The crucial thing to Ricky Ponting’s side was all the batsmen, bar Mike Hussey, made a significant contribution and all now find themselves in excellent form heading into Lords.
Similarly the bowling attack showed itself still to be very potent despite missing the likes of McGrath and Warne. Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus showed that they have the ability to succeed and take wickets at the top level. Nathan Hauritz, meanwhile, proved his critics wrong, by out-bowling both England spinners, ending up with 6 wickets in the match. It will, however, be interesting to see how Hauritz fares in less helpful spin bowling conditions.
However the form of Mitchell Johnson will cause concern to Australia. Coming into the series Johnson was seen as the leader of the pack. But at Cardiff, Johnson was the weak link. His radar was array and at times looked distinctly average. Johnson will know he needs to lift his game for Lords. But if he spurns that opportunity the prospect of a fit Brett Lee for Edgbaston could persuade the selectors to drop Johnson.
What State Are England In?
England will know that they produced an absolute miracle to escape from Cardiff still tied in the series. With the exception of the first day and a half, the gulf in class between the two sides was alarming. While the Australian batsmen converted starts into big hundreds, England’s top order failed to convert starts in the first innings while in the second innings, they made very little impression at all. It took the typically tenacious Collingwood to show his comrades what was required.
Similarly the bowling unit lost it way. The spinners were ineffective while the pace unit mysteriously failed to get the ball to swing. The plans for the Australian batsmen also looked suspect and these will need to be re-assessed ahead of Lords.
As for changes for Lords, the injury to Andrew Flintoff will be of great concern. Though Flintoff may not be at his best, he adds that balance and depth to the side that England crave so much. There will be great pressure for Stephen Harmison to be recalled but if Flintoff is fit expect England to make a single change with Panesar losing his place to Graeme Onions.
One thing is for sure all cricket fans will hope that 11 o’clock on Thursday morning will arrive as quickly as possible so that this, already, pulsating series can continue.
Bring on Lords!
