I suspect that I will not manage to write something every day. By necessity, these thoughts will not be exhaustive – work and children (and other cricket) prevent me from seeing too much. However, when I can, I will offer some thoughts about the key parts of each day.
The first ball
The Aussies kept saying that England would not be able to do it against them. That England lost 8 wickets on day 1 suggests they were right. However, it was only 8 wickets – they did not get the chance to take any more – and England charged to 393/8.
It all started with the first ball, which Zac Crawley crashed through the covers for four. It was reminiscent of Michael Slater in 1994 when he smashed four off a wayward Phil Defreitas first ball of the series. In 1994, it set the tone of Australian dominance. This one was different – it certainly did not set the tone of English dominance. It set the tone of ‘BazBall’. It validated what we all knew – that England are not going to hang about.
Crawley got England off to a good start, and today, it took a really good ball to get him out. I would have dropped Crawley, but he has already shown why he got picked. Mind you, I still think he needs a lot more runs.
Nathan Lyon
I find Nathan Lyon to be rather arrogant. I don’t think he will be too worried about that. Indeed, he will probably be quite pleased because I think it’s a bit of an act to annoy us English fans!
Irrespective of that, he is a darn good bowler. He went for 149 but took 4 wickets – on day 1. Arguably, Moeen Ali handed him a wicket on a plate, but the one to get Jonny Bairstow was a beauty.
And did I hear on TMS that this is the first time a ‘keeper has claimed two stumpings in the first innings of a test match since Jack Russell in 1989? Not sure if I heard that right (let me know!), but it can not happen often. I can not imagine what Fred Trueman would have said.
Joe Root
‘BazBall’ or not, England need Joe in the middle order. Before the game, I suggested that Root open to replace Crawley and accommodate Bairstow and Ben Foakes. Once again, I got that one wrong. Joe Root was class today, and it was in the middle order where he was needed. As was the case in the One Day team for so long, Root is the ‘glue’ that holds the middle order together.
Mind you, behind the big grin, Root is full of determination. He really wanted that hundred today and perhaps wants to conquer Australia, against whom he has not quite had the success he has had against others. I said a couple of years back that he can take inspiration from Graham Gooch who struggled against the Aussies until late in his career. Root still has time.
Declaration
I would not have declared. I would not have declared against New Zealand in the winter. But I do not have massively strong feelings about it, and it certainly ‘spooked’ David Warner. It could have worked, but it did not this time. It is doubtful England would have got too many more runs and it was worth a try.
Don’t get too funky, though, Ben.
Tomorrow
In the old days, I would have said that England will be in the field all day and on Sunday. That Australia will rack up 600, and England will be out of the game. That will be the plan.
But who knows these days. Certainly, it will take imaginative Captaincy and early wickets tomorrow. Often, scores around 400 lead to very exciting games. Let’s hope so.
Cricketed 