Stumps: Australia 169-6 and 98. England 513.
The living daydream continues. Is all this really happening? We are on the brink of a second innings-victory over Australia, in Australia, to retain the Ashes. Come again?
The Baggy Greens pummeled us for eight consecutive Ashes series from 1989 to 2002/3, and punished our 2005 impudence by inflicting the 5-0 humiliation of four years ago. And so deep are the scars of Australian hegemony, so real our paranoia (despite the fact we actually won the last series) that at one point this morning, here at Full Toss headquarters, we were actually still worrying that England might lose.
I know; it sounds ridiculous. But in today’s morning session our tail quickly subsided, Aussie spirits rose, and the awful prospect occurred to us of England being set a fourth innings target, with disastrous consequences. And then we looked again at the scoreboard. Australia 98 all out. England 513. Nervous we could lose? Paranoia is one thing, complete insanity another.
Nevertheless, there remained an unreal quality to proceedings – best exemplified by the scoreboard entry Hussey c Bell b Bresnan 0. It was that moment – the demise of Mr Cricket – that the truth finally dawned: the Ashes were safe.
Tim Bresnan’s success was almost fairytale-like – and the kind of thing which can only happen in cricket. To all intents and purposes, he looks like a village cricketer – the bloke down the pub, who you’ve roped in to play because your brother-in-law’s got flu. Bresnan has the physique of a wardrobe, and all the ritz and glamour of a photocopier sales conference in Dunstable. In cricketing terms, he was until today the bits and pieces county trundler, best known for being crap against Bangladesh.
And now here he was: taking centre stage in an Ashes test at the MCG – one of the grandest cricketing arenas of all – and sending back Ponting and Hussey as he ripped out the heart of the Australian top-order. Dreamland. Once again in this series, you had to pinch yourself.
Altogether, our bowlers were irresistible today, sustaining constant pressure at both ends. Most encouragingly, it now looks genuinely as if we have a whole squad of effective bowlers, not just one star performer and a backing cast of makeweights. Meanwhile, at least once Hughes was out, the Australian surrender seemed gratifyingly inevitable – the waving of a white flag to a superior cricket team.
In the morning session, several of Mitchell Johnson’s overs symbolised his entire career: two absolute corkers, followed by four terrible four-balls. With every game, Super Mitch grows in stature among England supporters. We love you Mitch – can’t wait to see you again in 2013!
The celebrations proper can wait till tomorrow: let’s knuckle down first and get the remaining four wickets. And then we can tackle the next big talking point: how much does it matter if we win at Sydney?
Finally, while we will never feel sorry for Australia, or sympathise with Ricky Ponting – who’s enjoyed more than his fair share of success – we do feel sorry for Ryan Harris. One of the more likeable members of the Australian side, he’d returned from multiple injuries to force his way back into the test team – and has arguably been their most consistent bowler of the series. Now he’s injured again with a stress fracture – and at 31, may never return.
Thoughts?
Maxie Allen
One or two points (from a Scottish England fan).
While I’m pleased for England, the real measure of their progress will be seen when they play India next year. The England top order have really come to the party, but it is a pity that the tail has failed to offer much.
The English bowlers have looked throughout as though they are capable of taking 20 wickets.
Strauss will thrive on the confidence of an Ashes win.
Thanks for your comments Andrew. Interesting that you’re a Scots England fan – do you also support the Scotland team,eg at World Cups?