Jul 13 2009
The Ashes 2009: England lower order show batters how it’s done
England somehow managed to scrape a draw on a very tense final day of the first Ashes Test at Cardiff.
In a scenario reminiscent of Old Trafford in 2005 — when Australia survived a barrage of late Steve Harmison and Freddie Flintoff thunderbolts to cling on for a draw — England just batted the full day, which totalled near on a hundred overs.
Paul Collingwood was the mainstay of England’s rearguard effort, finally out for 74 with less than an hour’s play remaining. Earlier, England’s top order collapsed as first Pietersen, then Strauss and Prior struggled to make runs. Andrew Flintoff lent some support, adding 26 in 71 balls, but fell to Mitchell Johnson midway through the afternoon session.
Enter the lower order, which somehow managed to outperform the specialist batsmen by offering resolute defense. Broad and Swann made useful contributions, offering Collingwood ample support before both fell LBW to Hauritz and Hilfenhaus respectively.
When Collingwood succumbed to Peter Siddle fifty minutes before the scheduled close of play, Australia must have thought they had victory sewn up, with just one England wicket left to fall and less than twenty overs remaining.
But Australia could not snaffle that crucial wicket. With just minutes to play, they turned to part time spinner Marcus North to try and squeeze in as many overs as possible before the 6:50 cut-off point. It was to no avail, however, as James Anderson and Monty Panesar somehow held on to take England into the lead and secure a draw… just.
There was no crowd surfing today, unfortunately, just a load of tense silences and deflated kangaroos. If all the Ashes matches are like this, I don’t think my fingernails would be able to handle it.
I’m currently listening to BBC Ashes 606, and I’m amazed how negative the England fans are. Sure, we got it wrong this time and our top order will have to enter the second Test at Lord’s on Thursday with a different mindset. But if you look at the result on paper, it’s always a draw and we did what we had to do on the last day.
What’s more, England go into the next match on a high having snatched a success from the jaws of defeat. The Australians have had to spend a whole 100-over day in the field under bright sunshine with a not very seamer-friendly pitch. Bring on Lord’s.
