Jul 21 2009
The Ashes 2009: Bad luck and Big Fred irritate Aussies
Australia were left in tatters yesterday thanks to a lengthy, destructive spell from England talisman Andrew Flintoff.
Big Fred bowled ten overs off the reel and finished with innings figures of 5-92, accounting for Haddin, Hauritz and Siddle as England wrapped up the match in the morning session. Greame Swann had a large hand in the victory too, first clean bowling overnight century maker Michael Clarke, then big-hitting all-rounder Mitchell Johnson to finish things off.
But the Aussies must be left bemoaning their bad luck as England certainly had the rub of the green where umpiring decisions were concerned. Replays showed that Simon Katich’s wicket should have been ruled a no-ball, and Mike ‘Mr. Cricket’ Hussey was given out caught at slip when he apparently missed the ball by a couple of inches.
Then there was a remarkable case of double standards as square leg umpire Billy ‘LBW’ Doctrove ruled that a Phil Hughes edge had carried to Strauss at slip without the aid of the third umpire.
Had they referred the decision, Hughes would most likely have been spared as the ball looked to have hit the ground just before entering Strauss’s hands.In a similar incident involving Ravi Bopara during the England innings, the umpires had no hesitation in going to the third umpire.
All of which leaves a slightly bitter taste to this victory, which might otherwise have been a very close match. Still, you need some luck if you have aspirations of beating the best side in the world. Brett Lee is set to return for the next match at Edgbaston, so expect the Aussie bowling attack to come back revitalised and baying for Pommie blood.
It’s certainly shaping up to be one heck of a summer of cricket, and maybe one to rival the Ashes of 2005. From an English point of view, fingers crossed that England just edge proceedings, and Freddie reconsiders his impending Test retirement.
