The England-Australia match that concluded at Edgbaston was truly an edge of the seat thriller. Who said test cricket is so boring, it was simply spectacular on all counts. We were treated with a weekend feast at home-the last two days was just ideal weekend to get glued to the TV sets. Ashes brings the same spirit among the teams like India-Pak match and the sea-saw battle between Aussies & Englishmen was simply breathtaking.
In another continent, Windies put up a brave fight on unfamiliar conditions and notched up a fine victory and came close to another, but to tell you frankly though India was playing on Sunday, you could not stop switching the channel every ball. It would be nice to recap this great match which will be in your memory for long.
Day 1 : Ponting won the toss and put England in to bat thinking that there will be devils in the pitch with so much hype created by the grounds-man that at one point of time, the commentators felt that if England wins the match, the man of the match should go to the grounds-man. England did just that, piling up a big total at very high speed for a test match-400 runs in a day, thanks to steady batting by Trescothick, fast growing talent Pieterson and the new Botham for England Andrew Flintoff.
Day 2: Australia could manage only 308 in reply to England’s 407 with good performance from the old warrior Langer, Ponting and Gilchrist. They could have gone on and scored more, but Flintoff bowled magnificently to restrict the Aussies.
Day 3: Australia were 100 runs short and England thought it could ride home the advantage. They could not just repeat the first innings and Warny started turning the ball square. England had no clue in dealing with Warne and were 131 for 9.the battle had to be waged hard and from here you could see how the game was swirling either side like Warne’s leggie and googly. Warne ended with figures of 6-46.Burly Andrew Flintoff reminds you of some one who can fight like a Gladiator and was counter attacking with devastating effect. Simon Jones performance as No 11 batsman apart from good support bowling will stand out as the decider between Victory and loss for England.
How can the day end without Flintoff bowling at his best rocking Langer’s wicket in his first over and missed the Hat-trick by 1 ball (from first innings) and foxing Ponting with a lovely out swinger. By now he was unplayable at 90 miles speed and devastating effect off the pitch. After Australia started with a steady 1st wicket partnership of 47, they were reduced to 7-137.Flintoff has proved that he is the best all rounder in the game now and this day and the match belonged to him.
Day 4: We were watching Ind-WI match and frankly I thought Australia would fall 100 runs short. Slowly the bottom half of the eleven started picking momentum and Warne, Lee & Kasprovicz were waging the battle here. Most unfortunately Warne got hit wicket and the pendulum shifted England’s way. Harmisson and Flintoff were stinging the balls at them at full pace and Kasprovicz showed the heart and mind and the match went to the wire. Australia was just 3 runs short and lot of time in hand and then came the Heart break. Harmisson’s bouncer hit the hand of Kasprovicz and WK Jones took the catch. Bowden lifted his finger and the anguish was simply unbelievable on Kasprovicz’ face.
The match was a joy to watch and should have ended as a tie which could have been a fitting tribute to the great game. The match assumes great significance for tail-enders who time and again show us how their fighting abilities can bring a game alive. Warny would have basked in Glory had he stayed longer eclipsing Flintoff’s performance .May be it was not his match as he fell 1 short of the Magic 600.The man who could have made this match mediocre is Glen Mcgrath, thanks to his absence, England got the chance of their life when kasprovicz got the ball of his.