My picks of the fourth day:
Andrew Flintoff was back to his old batting self on day four of the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston. He scored strongly and beautifully, proving his worth and class with the bat, what he could not do with the ball earlier in the match. He pulled the advantage back for England after the Aussies took crucial wickets, forming a strong lead under the timely shortened and restricted circumstances of 113 runs. With the Aussies a couple of wickets down at the end of the day, it leaves the match tight and tense and promising for the last day of play.
Run of Play: Advantage to...
1st session, England 159 for 4 (104 behind) at lunch: Australia taking crucial wickets quickly, not giving England a chance to get too comfortable.
2nd session, England 316 for 7 (53 lead) at tea: England pulling the advantage back thanks to a long-missed dominant innings by Freddie.
3rd session, England 376 all out (113 lead), Australia 88 for 2 (25 behind) at the end of day four: England having formed a lead of over 100 and taking a couple of early wickets.
Partnership: 89 runs between Matt Prior (40) and Andrew Flintoff (41): After a late start left little play before lunch, England lost a couple of wickets in that short period with captain Andrew Strauss ending his splendid innings disappointingly, nicking Ben Hilfenhaus's delivery behind to wicket keeper Mike Hussey replacement Graham Manou and Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting catching Paul Collingwood's edged drive off Hilfenhaus over his left shoulder at second slip.
In the afternoon session, Ian Bell fell eventually after more controversial decisions had gone his way, but this time the lbw was given to Mitchell Johnson, bang in front with the inswinger. It left England looking less likely to get any compatible lead established and a chance of getting anything out of the match, until Prior and Flintoff formed a beautiful partnership. Flintoff showed some of his good-old and long missed class, ticking and smacking, including many sweet fours and a couple of smashing sixes.
Freddie got caught out by Michael Clarke at slip just before tea, making it 309 for 7, but the tail-end contributed well and added 67 runs to the total, the main contributor being Stuart Broad with his much-needed half-century since his place in the team is under threat. That left the Aussies trailing 113, and after losing opener Simon Katich for 26 to a straight ball by Onions caught behind and captain Ricky Ponting for 5 to a perfect delivery by Graeme Swann, a shattering quality off-spin, Australia will have to work hard to survive the last day of play and get something out of the match.
Bowlers: Mitchell Johnson showed a better and more dangerous overall-display, confident as always, but still showed weaknesses. Ben Hilfenhaus was the strongest of the day, as always, Peter Siddle adding to the strong character of the bowling team, but not much more. It was an overall better display by the bowling, but the frustration still showed, especially when decisions went against them and the scoreboard kept ticking with Flintoff heading the torment.
Ups: Freddie back to his old class, at least for a bit, beautiful to watch. Also good to see Broad finally getting something from his bat. It was a pleasure to see nearly every player enjoying and contributing their part.
Downs: The Aussies attitude, like holding sour grapes, spoiled the match a bit, especially Siddle and Johnson mouthing it off, plus the skipper Ponting. I lost count how many time Jonhson and Siddle were mouthing off about something or another. Obviously no surprise with the umpire regularly going against them, it makes that encounter more juicy, but it is still not nice for the game.
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