Fifth Ashes Test, Oval, Day Two

Sports - Cricket - Ashes

My picks of the second day:

England's last wickets fell early in the morning, all out for 332 runs, on day two of the fifth Ashes test at the Kennington Oval. Their bowling started just as frustrating, looking dangerous and aggressive at times but not getting the breakthrough they needed before lunch. It could not have turned more dramatically and changed more drastically after the interval though: Australia crashed sensationally, losing ten wickets for just 87 runs in under 30 overs. They got a couple of wickets and some pride back in the last hour-and-a-bit of play but will need much more to drag themselves back into the match with England leading by 230, with seven wickets in hand.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 332 all out, Australia 61 for 0 (271 behind) at lunch: Australia for keeping their cool and grip on the game.

2nd session, Australia 133 for 8 at tea (199 behind): England's bowlers swept the Aussies away, unbelievable, undreamable session!

3rd session, Australia 160 all out (172 behind), England at the end of day two: Australia for scraping back a couple of wickets when it was most crucial and it looked all doom and gloom for them.

Partnership: 61 runs between Shane Watson (30) and Simon Katich (26): The only notable partnership for Australia. Watson and Katich were able to overcome early nerves and shivers, frustrating the opening bowlers. Watson fell first after a delayed start after lunch due to rain, dead lbw from a full delivery by Stuart Broad. The young bowler, who had a point to prove against his doubters of late, then began a role with Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke all falling victim to his spree - two lbw and the last caught low by Jonathan Trott at short extra-cover. The Aussies could not recover from the Broad massacre. Graeme Swann added his sword to the fight, having the only little glimmer of hope and light in the dark and depressing Australian batting line-up caught by Alastair Cook, out for 50 off 107.

Bowling: Stuart Broad starred once again, achieving his third Test five-wicket haul, Graeme Swann helping out with four wickets of his own. That did not leave James Anderson and Andrew Flintoff with much to take, although they created most of the early pressure, to no avail though. The Aussies did not look too much in danger until after the interval, when Broad came into it, explosive and lethal for Australia. Freddie snatched the last one in the end, leaving the Aussies with their lowest total at the Oval since 1997 and their fourth-lowest post-war.

Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson were able to remove Cook, Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood, all three of them looking like they did not want to be at the crease in the first place. They did not stay there for long, caught out for nine, four runs and one run respectively. That left captain Strauss on 32 and Jonathan Trott on 8 at the end of the second day.

Ups: Wickets, wickets, wickets - it definitely was worth any money or time spent on the second day. England could not have dreamt up a better start, just like the Aussies in the fourth test. But, careful, the last time England enjoyed a spree like this (third Ashes Test at Edgbaston, day two), Australia were able to bat out a draw... Not this time hopefully!!!

Downs: A couple of the umpiring decisions were horrendous, lbw when it hit the bat, catch when it was nowhere near the bat,... But when you are on a role, things like this swing your way and that certainly was the case for England today. Australia got a lucky decision back, Collingwood's wicket coming off a no ball by the looks of it. It all evens out in the end.

Hero to zero: Not for the first time, I am left wondering what all the fuss is about Freddie Flintoff?! Broad and Swann stole the show, so, why is all the flap and talk always about Freddie, if he, will he, won't he?! And who was KP again???

Fifth Ashes Test, Oval, Day One

Sports - Cricket - Ashes

My picks of the first day:

England won the toss and chose to bat with Andrew Flintoff back from injury and Jonathan Trott making his debut against an unchanged Australian side at the Kennington Oval. After losing an early wicket in the morning, England recovered well up to lunch and played some beautiful cricket, hitting boundaries on a regular basis. But, one by one, the England line-up fizzled out, each contributing their little part, ending the first day of the final Ashes test disappointingly but something the bowlers can work with at 307 for 8.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 108 for 1 at lunch: England will have been the happier having recovered and built up a partnership after they had lost an early wicket.

2nd session, England 180 for 3 at tea: England kept the scoreboard ticking and the entertaining cricket going, eventhough they lost a couple of wickets.

3rd session, England 307 for 8 at the end of day one: Australia pulled the advantage back and shattered any hopes of a high score for England, no batsmen reaching a century, once again.


Partnerships:

- 102 runs between Andrew Strauss (55) and Ian Bell (41): After Alastair Cook fell early, giving a catch away to Ricky Ponting with a poor shot off the side of the bat for 10 off 12, the England skipper showed his team again how to work the works and score the runs, until lunch at least. Bell joined in and also contributed some beautiful and brutal cuts for fours. Strauss eventually got out for 55 off 101 with his only underdetermined shot of the day - which replays showed came off a no ball. Unlucky.

- 62 runs between Ian Bell (31) and Paul Collingwood (24): Bell continued strong after his captain's departure, completing a hard-earned half-century and looking to continue nice and strong. Collingwood worked hard to keep up with his batting colleague but just did not look like he was comfortable in his role and got caught in gully. Bell fell shortly afterwards for 72 off 137, an inside-edge onto his stumps.


- 48 runs between Jonathan Trott (22) and Matt Prior (18): The debutant, replacing Ravi Bopara, started nervously, edgy and a bit silly but later showed off some cheeky and bold shots with Prior contributing well, too. But it did not last long enough to build anything solid, Prior losing control and giving away a stupid shot and catch to Shane Watson, falling for Mitchell Johnson's change of pace. Andrew Flintoff fell cheaply for only 7, giving a catch away, after being applauded and cheered onto the pitch for his last match in an England Test shirt. Trott got run out for 41 off 81 thanks to quick thinking by Simon Katich, the debutant thinking he smacked it, but got snapped out of it. Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad looked like they were going to hit off a great partnership again, putting runs on the board whilst Australia would have thought they could and should cut through the lower order. But those hopes were dashed, Swann falling to the last ball of the day, caught behind.

Bowling: Peter Siddle got four of the day's wickets, looking the most dangerous from the first overs of the day. Mitchell Johnson had on and off spells whilst Ben Hilfenhaus looked unlike his normal excellency. But most of the wickets came from the batsmen's inconsistency and insecurity. Just when you thought they had started something they could build on, they gave their wickets away stupidly. The pitch changed throughout the day, showing uneven bounce and bursts, which will encourage the England bowlers for when they come to field.

Ups: Some beautiful batting, quality drives, brutal cuts, many boundaries, great to watch.

Downs: Too many wickets on a too regular basis, no big partnership, no big individual scores, i.e. centuries, once again.

Hero to zero: Funny contrast how Flintoff was cheered and applauded on like a hero and legend he is - but how much quieter he left the field again shortly after falling cheaply. Hopefully he can do a better job with the ball.

Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

Only six matches were played mid the second week into the new season. But they did not disappoint and offered at least as much entertainment and action as the first weekend encounters all together. And again, there were some shockers and screamers in the extraordinary mix. What more does a football fan want?!

Top game: Manchester United's defeat to Burnley was obviously the biggest shocker, Tottenham's thrashing of Hull City the most entertaining display.

Top team: Tottenham are the team on fire! Like Arsenal last weekend, they were unstoppable and made their opposition's defence look non-existant, this time Hull City being the victim.

Top player: Burnley's goalkeper Brian Jensen was here, there and everywhere, right up the opposition's nose. He gave Manchester United no chance to get an attempt close, making even a penalty save look easy. Tottenham's Jermain Defoe was just as omni-present, hungry and tormenting, just like he was last weekend, too. This time he got the hat-trick he deserved. He is on a roll - and a half.

Top goal: Again, there were so many quality goals to choose from, but Robbie Blake's cracking strike with his right foot was the most shocking, unbelievable and unforgettable! In their first top flight home match in 33 years, the winning goal could not have been better, smiles not bigger and the cheers not louder. Glen Johnson's debut goal for Liverpool was a stunner as well, spectacular jump-turn shot.

Top save: David James made a brilliant save just before his stupid blind act conceded a penalty, fully stretching to his right, making up for his sleeping defence. Pepe Reina's sharp move to his left denied Rory Delap and condemned Stoke to a thrash-defeat.

Flop game: Again, no game disappointed, although Birmingham and Portsmouth left most of the action late, squeezed into the last minutes. But those couple of minutes made up for the wait, too.

Flop team: Man who? Man Utd were frustrated and will wake up the next morning thinking it was all just a bad dream. They could not net any of their 17 attempts, more than double their opposition's chances, or get anything all-too threatening created from over 62% of possession. Scary but made a change. Who said football was predictable?

Flop player: David James, what were you thinking? He was not anywhere near the ball when he ran into Sebastian Larsson and why did he go for it in the first place? He should have stayed on his line, and let his defenders do their job on the wide.

My Predictions - Actual Results

Sunderland 0:1 Chelsea - 1:3

Wigan 1:0 Wolves - 0:1

Birmingham 1:0 Portsmouth - 1:0

Burnley 0:2 Man Utd - 1:0

Liverpool 3:0 Stoke - 4:0

Hull City 1:2 Tottenham - 1:5

Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

The 2009-2010 season kicked off with a couple of surprises, a collection of beautiful goals, Arsenal topping both lists:

Top Game: Everton 1-6 Arsenal - I still cannot believe the score when I read and see it now, unfeasible for anyone to have predicted that one right! Goals, goals, goals and beauties they all were, every football fan's phantasy - apart from Evertonians of course.

Top Team: Arsenal will be the side with the biggest smiles on their faces, laughing back nice and loud at all of their critics who predicted doom and gloom for the young side, after they had lost their main players Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure in the transfer window. Again, all the goals were quality and joyful to watch - unless you are a Toffee.

Top Player: Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas defied all his doubters and shone as provider and scorer in the 6-1 romping of Everton at Goodison Park. Many thought he will be the next player to leave the club for a nice lump of cash, but he proved he wants and is worth the shirt and arm band, for keeps.

Top Goal: There are many goals to choose from, most of them from Arsenal, one beauty after another. But my vote goes to Hugo Rodallega's wonderful 25-yard volley over Brad Friedel. Wigan stunned many with a shiny dominant display, Aston Villa especially.

Top Save: There have been a number top-draw saves, but Pepe Reina and Man Utd's Ben Foster lead the list for me. They took most of the breath away and made the heart stop for that split-second of thought and uncertainty, if the ball has gone in or not, on a couple of occasions. Liverpool could have been thrashed by three or four goals, if Pepe would not have made those crucial stops, from sublime to subliminal, denying Robbie Keane to score against his former side and get his sweet revenge.

Flop Game: For the first time, the Premier League has seen the season start without any draws, every game and crowd enjoying/cursing goals, so, no complaints here.

Flop Team: Everton could not have feared or even dreamt up a worse start to a season, a nightmare-disintegration it was. It is their worst home defeat since 1980, say no more. They cannot keep on blaming it on the Joleon Lescott-fiasco, will he stay or will he go. There are eleven players per side and none of them turned up for the Toffees on Saturday.

Flop Player: Jamie Carragher was a shadow of his usual solid self, leaving Sebastien Bassong free to head in Luka Modric's spot-on free kick. He took a knock early in the game when he collided with Martin Skrtel, who required stitches and was taken off eventually. That could explain him being off the pace and less able to cope and cover but cannot be an excuse or make up for his side's sorry display and deserved defeat against a refreshing and promising Tottenham side.

Flop Goal: Stephen Jordan put the ball into the net from a trademark Rory Delap throw-in, could not have been more perfect connection-goal - if only it was not his own net. Those are the moments you just want the ground to swallow you... Stoke 2-0 Burnley...

Flop Manager: Rafael Benitez has been ranting once again, this time against the referee for not giving the away side more than one penalty. He seemed to have forgotten his team were shambles for most of the match and were well and truly and fairly beaten. With all the ifs and buts about the penalties, Tottenham could have had three or four goals anyway if it were not for Pepe, but Rafa obviously forgot or missed that. Think before you rant Rafa!

My Predictions - Actual Results

Aston Villa 1:0 Wigan - 0:2

Blackburn 1:1 Man City - 0:2

Bolton 0:0 Sunderland - 0:1

Chelsea 1:0 Hull City - 2:1

Everton 1:1 Arsenal - 1:6

Man Utd 2:0 Birmingham - 1:0

Portsmouth 0:1 Fulham - 0:1

Stoke City 1:1 Burnley - 2:0

Tottenham 1:2 Liverpool - 2:1

Wolves 0:1 West Ham - 0:2

Fourth Ashes Test, Headingley, Day Three

Sports - Cricket - Ashes

My picks of the third day:

England survived until lunch thanks to an impressive batting innings and partnership by Stuart Broad (61) and Graeme Swann (62). But the inevitable defeat came shortly after lunch, Mitchell Johnson completing the third five wicket haul of his career and finishing off England, who were well and truly beaten by an innings and 80 runs.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 245 for 8 (200 behind) at lunch: Australia, as the only "worry" for them was if England could avoid an innings-defeat.

2nd session, England 263 all out, Australia beat England by an innings and 80 runs: Australia for dashing even that little hope, thrashing England by over an innings.

Partnerships: 108 runs between Stuart Broad (61) and Graeme Swann (46): A little spree of just 78 balls - 73 runs of the partnership coming from just 5.3 overs - added at least a bit of fun and smiles to the English faces, even if the result was clear and inevitable, one way or the other. After James Anderson and Matt Prior fell early to Ben Hilfenhaus, caught at slip and behind respectively, the match could have ended within the opening hour.

Bowling: Johnson got the five-wicket haul Peter Siddle denied Hilfenhaus, who ended up with four. Siddle knicked a wicket, having Broad caught at backward square-leg and ending an entertaining, but in the big picture, meaningless partnership. Johnson then finished England off having Swann caught behind and Graham Onions bowled, knocking the off-stump over and England out. The Aussies were the stars, Johnson and Hilfenhaus especially, without a doubt, dazzling England out of the park. 

Ups: The England fans got to see more batting and entertainment from the England bowlers than from the top order on the previous day. At least a little bit entertainment during the great depression - the fourth Ashes test.

Downs: Will England be able to get back from this? I know, it is only 1-1, but with the Aussies on fire and England in the dumps, I am not to sure they will be able to get the win they require to regain the Ashes.

Hero to zero: Everyone keeps saying this could not and would not have happened if Kevin Pietersen and/or Andrew Flintoff would have been fit to play, but I do not think so. Stop moaning and start looking: These Aussies, on fire the way they were in this test, would have wiped out KP and Freddie just alike - especially because both have been and shown only a fraction of their best over the last year-or-so.

Fourth Ashes Test, Headingley, Day Two

Sports - Cricket - Ashes

My picks of the second day:

Australia comfortably added 249 runs to their total for their last six wickets on day two of the fourth Ashes Test at Headingley, Stuart Broad finishing off the lower order with four wickets on the day. That left England trailing by 343 runs and reeling once again after they ended the day five wickets down for only 82 runs, leaving no doubt whatsoever, they will be heading to the Oval needing to win the final test if they want to regain the Ashes, unless a miracle can happen.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, Australia 306 for 5 (204 ahead) at lunch: Australia after enjoying a comfortable morning, no threat whatsoever.

2nd session, Australia 445 all out (343 ahead) at tea: Australia after losing their last five wickets for "only" 142 runs but still being on top.

3rd session, England 82 for 5 (261 behind) at the end of day two: Australia after shattering any hopes for England of producing a miracle-saviour innings.

Partnerships: 

- 152 runs between Michael Clarke (93) and Marcus North (52): England once again could not get the line and length right, giving Clarke and North enough space to place their strokes and proceed play as comfortably as they had the day before. Clarke eventually fell lbw to a Graham Onions' yorker after achieving a marvelous 96 from 138 deliveries. 

- 70 runs between Marcus North (37) and Mitchell Johnson (27): After Brad Haddin got caught out with a premeditated shot for only 14, North and Johnson brought more frustration to and runs against the home side. The short pitch finally paid off against Johnson, who put the ball down Ravi Bopara's throat and was caught for 27 off 53 deliveries. North completed his second century of the series in style, smacking the ball for six and capitalizing of a wary England attack like he had enjoyed all day. He fell for 110, giving Anderson an easy catch and Broad his sixth wicket with Australia finishing the innings 445 all out. 

- 58 runs between Andrew Strauss (17) and Alastair Cook (32): Coming out after tea trailing by 343 runs, it left England with more than just a mountain to climb. Australia started too straight, giving Strauss and Cook a start and creating a glimmmer of hope that England would at least not get thrashed by an innings - but that was not of long last after the skipper fell lbw to a terrific length delivery by Ben Hilfenhaus. One can always dream - all nightmares for England in this test match though with the Aussies on fire.

Bowling: Stuart Broad will have hopefully shut up all the critics who were calling for his head after he completed a five-wicket haul and was the only bowler to create a threat with figures of 91 runs off 25.1 overs with six maidens and 6 wickets. James Anderson looked the most vulnerable, uncomfortable and was the most expensive at 5.5 runs per over. Steve Harmison stayed out of line, length and sorts. Hilfenhaus and Johnson showed them up again, taking five wickets between them by the end of the day - the two completing in not even a couple of hours what took the five England bowlers over a day's play!

Ups: Broad's 5er - would have obviously been celebrated more and louder under different circumstances. But I was still happy and cheering for him, have to grant him that much, especially after all the criticism, threats and calls for his place he had to take lately.

Downs: The poor lbw decision against Bopara just reflected and completed England abysmal couple of days. Made me think of the Dr Pepper advert, "What's the worst that could happen?" - my answer to that: just look at England the last couple of days!

Hero to zero: England - I do not want to pick on an individual because I feel the whole side was a letdown. They will have to dig deep if they want to escape from this with the Ashes urn.

Fourth Ashes Test, Headingley, Day One

Sports - Cricket - Ashes

My picks of the first day:

Australia could not have dreamt up a better start on the first day of the fourth Ashes test at Headingley. After losing the toss and being put out to field, the Aussies ripped England into bits getting them six wickets down by lunch and eventually all out for only 102, Peter Siddle crowning the bowling lineup with five wickets for just 21 runs. England recovered somewhat by getting four wickets by the end of the day, but will need a nigh-on miraculous session on day two, to stay in the match.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 76 for 6 at lunch: Australia for shattering chaotic England to bits, they could not have dreamt of a better start after losing the toss.

2nd session, England 102 all out, Australia 69 for 1 (33 behind) at tea: Australia for ending England's misery quickly and smashing any hopes away of similar bowling success for the home side.

3rd session, Australia 196 for 4 (94 lead) at the end of day one: England will be a little bit happier after taking much-needed and crucial wickets, overall-advantage still goes to Australia though.

Partnership: 119 runs between Shane Watson (51) and Ricky Ponting (78): They played with England, boundary, after boundary, after boundary, whilst the home side looked like amateurs, not knowing where to put or do what, bat and ball. No question, England were outplayed and can be happy the Aussie captain had an absent moment and gave away an lbw after narrowly getting away from a run out the previous ball. Andrew Strauss showed his frustration and aggrevation, stomping across the field, telling off his bowlers and pointing them out the obvious, they have been disastrous, positioning his fielders like a net around them to avoid a total thrash-bash.

Bowling: Every bowler starred for Australia, chipping in with wickets: Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitchell Johnson with one each and Stuart Clark with three before lunch before Siddle swept the England tailend off the field with four more, to complete the high-five for the fast-medium bowler. All ten wickets were caught, reflecting England' insecurity and shambles with the bat, going for every ball, falling for every trap and Australia's dominance with the ball, getting most out of the swing and bounce and placing the balls spot-on.

The opposite applied for the England bowlers. They seemed to have learnt nothing from their downfall, bowling too short and giving the Aussie batsmen plenty of food to chew on and enjoy and get boundary after boundary after boundary. Steve Harmison and James Anderson were the most expensive and ineffective bowlers at a run rate of around 4.5, the prior disappointing most after a promising start when he started aggressively and got Simon Katich caught out on his third ball making it 14 for 1.

Stuart Broad formed the biggest and nearly only threat after that, getting the ball spot-on, snatching a couple of lbws which finally saw captain Ricky Ponting out for 78, 140 for 3, and Mike Hussey for a spicy 10, leaving Australia at 151 for 4. That was after Graham Onions had got the breakthrough and Watson out lbw after he had reached his half-century, the second wicket for 133, which broke the flourishing partnership and left England hoping that will be the last one for Australia.

Ups: That the horror-day has finally found an end for England at stumps. All joy for Australia, even if England got a couple of wickets in the end, thehome side were made to look like total amateurs, not having a clue where is what and how. Thank god, the day has ended!

Downs: Everything, England's batting - if you can call it that, England's bowling and even England's fielding at times, leaking runs and letting Australia off because they feared to be thrashed. This has been the worst day for England these Ashes so far, like the second day of the last test was for Australia.

Hero to zero: After all the hype and calls for Harmison's recall, he utterly disappointed, groping for consistency, to no avail, bowling some horrific deliveries and expensive overs. Apart from his early wicket, I could not stop shaking my head, although he was not the only disappointment of England's bowling lineup.