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Loading ...10th over, and out walks Kevin Pietersen. Methinks this is the best chance for him to make the famous case for his Ashes place. Couple of wickets down, ball moving around, plenty of time to play a crucial innings.
England v Australia, NatWest Challenge – Game 2, Lord’s
By Avinash 5 years ago, mid-July Add your comment below
Australia v England – Natwest Challenge. “Sessions won” (at 15, 40 and 50 over intervals)
[First innings - England]
Overs 1-15 (Will):
Australia won the toss on a beautiful, summer’s morning, and asked England to bat. Ponting chose to have Brad Hadden as their sub, which – on the face of it – could benefit them hugely. I’m still getting my head around these new rules; they seem to favour the side batting second though. Ponting’s opening bowlers started very well, restricting England to 20-0 in the first six overs – but, confusingly, he refused to attack with three slips. Lee looking very good this morning – and very quick.
A great start for Kasprowicz – Strauss chopping the ball onto his stumps from Kasper’s first delivery of the game. England were just threatening to get away – 25 for 1
Vaughan left a straight one from McGrath (as Lehmann said on commentary, “You’ve got a bat, Michael: use it”), and Trescothick is out caught behind. 28 for 3 and Pietersen and Flintoff are now both in. Big debate now is when England decide on their sub (Vikram Solanki). 12 overs gone – decision will need to be made pretty soon…
Australia’s session without a doubt
Overs 15-40 (Avinash):
Kevin Pietersen’s cross-bat shot ends his brief innings, the second player to chop the ball onto his stumps. 45 for 4.
That brought Flintoff and Collingwood together in the 16th over with Jones to follow. Time, perhaps, for England to consider Super Sub Solanki? A fifth wicket anytime soon will almost certainly bring him into action and common wisdom suggests that Ashley Giles will be the bowler to make way for him.
Gillespie finally came on to bowl the 18th over of the innings and was promptly sent to the fence twice by Flintoff, two dismissive pulls of two woefully short deliveries. More importantly for Ponting, Lee, McGrath and Kasper have bowled 6 overs apiece inside the first 20, which leaves the attack largely in the hands of Symonds and Gillespie for the next hour. This could well be the defining passage of play in this innings, especially if Flintoff and Collingwood continue to take toll of a clearly out of sorts Dizzy.
Symonds has settled into a tidy line and length, but Gillespie is still having problems. Collingwood just survived a stumping down the legside off Symonds, but England are looking far more comfortable now against these two. The challenge for England is that this is a good pitch for batting, firm and a fair amount of bounce. It will ease out some more and get even better when Australia bat and England will therefore want to get close to 250. One suspects that Flintoff holds the key to their batting fortunes at this point. 74 for 4, 25 overs
Flintoff continues to bat well and Gillespie continues to offer just enough boundary balls to keep England ticking reasonably along. Ponting will start to think now about how he is going to get through 20 overs between Gillespie, Symonds and anyone else he chooses to bowl. Clarke and Hussey are the two obvious names, although Clarke’s first over which just ended was fairly innocuous. The fourth and fifth bowlers have bowled 13 of 20 at this point, but Ponting can’t afford to let England continue to build the innings at almost zero risk, so he has brought McGrath on to bowl the 33rd. One bad ball in McGrath’s 7th over however, duly directed to the ropes by Freddie.
What’s going to be interesting now is to see when England decide to shift gears. It will depend largely on how many runs England feel they need on the board, but if 230 is the target, as it must, they have to begin now. Flintoff will look to bat through the innings and will fancy his chances of going after McGrath and company with the older ball but Collingwood must be the man to change tempo now and allow Flintoff to continue to pick his spots to attack. 125 for 4, 35 overs. Collingwood dismissed in the 38th over, a fish outside off-stump. England 100 runs short with 10 to go…
Overs 40-50: (Will)
Jones now in, and facing Lee. Flintoff well set, but it’s a lot to ask of him to score at 10/over for the final 10 overs. 154 for 5.
England, in the 43rd over, are still unable to really get after the bowling. 168 for 5, and the Australians are only conceding a run a ball at the moment. Unless England can snick out four or five early wickets, this game should be Australia’s for the taking.
Kasprowicz was expensive in his final few overs, conceding 24 from his final three, however he’s certainly bowled the best spell in his tour so far. 2 for 40 from 10 overs, as Flintoff climbs into Symonds, smashing him over mid-wicket for four. Symonds then reverted to his spin for the final ball of the 45th over, Flintoff dispatching it into the Grandstand for another huge six. 87* from 111 balls 192 for 5 at the end of the 45th over, Brett Lee back on.
Lee breaks the back of England’s innings – Flintoff gone for 87, 193 for 6. Superb innings given the calamatous start by England’s top-order. England, still, are way too short and it’ll need a very special bowling performance to dig them out of it (or a very dodgy batting performance by Australia). Giles now in – Solanki not super-subbing after all.
Jones hits two fours off Glenn McGrath in the 47th over – 11 runs from the over, but Brett Lee dismisses him in the first ball of the 48th. Lee really has bowled well today – his fourth wicket so far, and England might struggle to bat out the remaining 11 balls of the innings. 210 for 7
Giles magnificently caught by Ponting! What a catch. Driven hard to extra cover, Ponting sticks out a hand and takes it horizontally, two inches above the ground. Fantastic! Lee takes five wickets, and books himself a spot in the first Test here at Lord’s, in 10 days time. 216 for 6 and it’s over to Avinash for the first instalment of Australia’s innings. (What a catch that was! Good catches stir the spirit)
[Second innings - Australia]
So Australia need to get 224 to even the series up, a task that most agree should prove quite comfortable. It is by no means a foregone conclusion however, but what will help England considerably is early wickets. Early wickets of course is exactly what England’s new ball bowlers have completely failed to give their side throughout the series, but Gough and Jones must reverse that trend here. Harmison and Flintoff will like the bounce this pitch will provide them, but the match might be won or lost by how the remaining 30 overs go. It will be interesting also, to see how attacking Vaughan will get. Much like Ponting in the last game, England have to bowl Australia out to win and they will need to be aggressive with their defence, a curious phrase that I can only put down to early morning stupor. Australia to start as favourites then and the chase begins in just a couple of minutes.
Overs 1-15: (Avinash)
A slash over the slip cordon for four, a wicket off a no-ball, a flick for four, two successive plays and misses, and a near LBW to round off Gough’s opening over. 12 for 0 in the second over and this looks like it’s going to be fun.
After seeing his new ball bowlers slapped all over Lords, Vaughan decides to give the ball to his two best bowlers. Harmison bowled a warm-up first over but Flintoff was much more accurate and got Gilchrist just a couple of balls into his spell. The ball that got him was similar to the one he bowled on the same ground a week ago – short of length, just outside off, and a fair amount of bounce. In that game, Gilly tried to pull but scooped it up in the air, this time he tried to force on the off side but edged to the keeper.
So Ponting strides to the crease, and he hasn’t looked very comfortable against either Flintoff or Harmison all series. Australia however have shown that they intend to make these good batting conditions count. They are going to try and rush to the finish, rather than work themselves towards the target and in that lies England’s best chance, as long as they continue to attack. Ponting has begun in a hurry as well, meanwhile. However, like we said earlier it will be the 30 overs that Freddie and Harmison don’t bowl which could decide the game. 53 for 1, 7.4 overs
Overs 15-40:
Australia ended the first 10 at 63/1 and at this stage, look completely in command. Harmison has not had a good day with the ball, and even Flintoff has been a little below his best. Vaughan has therefore turned to Giles, but he has too many men out patrolling the boundary for my liking. England will need to create (and maintain) pressure via dotballs and wickets for long periods and that will only happen if most of the field is up.
Too easy at the moment and it is still advantage Australia at Lords, but England have shown already that they aren’t going to submit meekly whatever the situation. Further twists might yet be in store and Will will tell you all about them shortly. 68 for 1, 12.5 overs
Still nothing to report. 119 for 2 and it’s a predictable walk in the park for the Aussies. England’s batsmen, Flintoff apart, were ropey today. Ponting and Martyn are a joy to watch, and are just knocking the ball around as though it’s a Sunday afternoon (which it is!). 27 runs have been made down to fine leg, though – poor. Ponting one short of his fifty.
The game continues to go Australia’s way at 161 for 2, with only a further 63 runs required. Vaughan’s not had much to work with – the pitch is so flat, and the game is an almost a complete mirror-copy (albeit a reversal, as it’s Australia winning) of the game at Leeds. There was a fly-by to commemorate the ending of World War II – which was quite something to see. A capacity crowd cheering and whooping at the Lancasters, Spitfires and Hurricane fighters.
[Result]
Australia won by 7 wickets
Tags: australia, england, lords, natwest-challenge, ODI, the-ashes |
42 Responses to “England v Australia, NatWest Challenge – Game 2, Lord’s”
July 10th, 2005 at 11.29 am
July 10th, 2005 at 11.54 am
And he’s gone. Well done ponting for keeping lee on I suppose, well done Lee, but most of all well done Bob Willis, who preceeded the dismissal with gushing praise of KP, what all he has done in his career till now, and how he must make his way into the Ashes squad. I now he really like the man, but Bob Willis really does overdo it about KP.
July 10th, 2005 at 12.04 pm
Agreed – he’s comparing him to Viv Richards for God’s sake. Pity the fool, Willis….
July 10th, 2005 at 12.17 pm
The pitch has alot of bounce. Do you think that will suit your bowlers? i think so, particularly Flintoff…
July 10th, 2005 at 12.18 pm
To be honest, I think it’ll flatten out come this afternoon. It’s gonna be a belter
July 10th, 2005 at 12.27 pm
Yes. I think it will be a good oppurtinty to get Gilchrist out though. He’s struggled with deliveries that have a little extra bounce all through his career. Batsman like ponting like it though. All in all Australia certianly have the advantage with winning the toss, even if Vaughan reckons he wasn’t fussed about losing before the start of play, i think he will be now.
July 10th, 2005 at 12.35 pm
Yes, surely the Aussies have had the better of it till now. Their super sub strategy seems to be just fine, with Haddin waiting to bat if required; while England might just be forced to sacrifice Mr Giles.
The pitch seems already to have eased up, so I should think England must look at a sizeable total. Flintoff is looking good, and the time is perfect to see a Freddie special here…
(and boy, Collingwood had a narrow escape on that stumping chanceoff symonds. Great work from gilly though)
July 10th, 2005 at 12.37 pm
Run Rate hovering around 3/over. Definately need a score in excess of 250 on this pitch – which is a LONG way off!
July 10th, 2005 at 12.49 pm
The obvious point is Flintoff needs to be there at the end of 50 overs. He’s in a similar position to what Symonds has been in on occasions this tour…can he go that step further? certainly possible
July 10th, 2005 at 12.51 pm
I think it’ll take a Flintoff hundred for England to get close to 250. We haven’t seen a century in games between these two sides all series, have we? Underscores how difficult batting first has generally been, I guess.
July 10th, 2005 at 12.51 pm
60 from these 10 overs and 80-100 from the last 10 will more than get them the 250 they want…but wickets in hand will obviously be important.
July 10th, 2005 at 1.02 pm
a century besides Trescothick’s in the last match, no, don’t think so…
Flitnoff is looking solid here, but with McGrath being brought in it will be crucial to see if they can see him off.
July 10th, 2005 at 1.27 pm
I think England are 100 runs short, with 11 overs to go. I’m sure Giles will be subbed for Solanki now
July 10th, 2005 at 1.33 pm
It appears Solanki won’t be the super sub…
July 10th, 2005 at 2.09 pm
what a stunner from ponting. Gives Lee a really well deserved 5fer. This may be sub par the total, but I reckon if the rest of this summer has been anything to go by, it cuold still be a good fight at Lord’s.
July 10th, 2005 at 2.11 pm
yeah early wickets could have them in the game, but i feel next innings will be the best batting conditions of the tour so far and as an Australian very confident…
ps: punter showing ‘em he’s still got it
July 10th, 2005 at 2.13 pm
Wonderful, awesome catch – just brilliant!
July 10th, 2005 at 2.18 pm
of course, harry. If Australia lose this one…….
(they really can’t. I mean shouldn’t. I mean musn’t…)
July 10th, 2005 at 2.22 pm
re Hayden’s shoulder
What the hell does “dressing room incident” mean?
July 10th, 2005 at 2.33 pm
well Hayden once injured his hand by smashing glass after going out in a test match…commentators blamed the bandages and strapping as the result of something like a dropped catch or something of the sorts! but it didnt take a genius to put two and two together
July 10th, 2005 at 2.39 pm
by the way, what’s with sweeping McGrath?
Harmison swept him for four.Harmison?
(stop smirking, will) ….:)
July 10th, 2005 at 2.49 pm
I’m still chuckling. He turned a good length ball into a full toss, down onto one knee and paddles him fine for four! Shot of the summer 
July 10th, 2005 at 3.03 pm
yikes! Gilly bowled off a no ball. is this going to cost the. What a topsy turvy first over, that.
July 10th, 2005 at 3.08 pm
Excuse my language, but why the fuck is Gough opening the bowling?
July 10th, 2005 at 3.14 pm
Because Gough is fast and good with swing. If he is playing then best with new ball and last overs Will. So, you wanna open with Harmison etc…dont play him. IMHO.
July 10th, 2005 at 3.21 pm
Well actually worma i agree with Will. Australia actually have looked their best in the 1st 10 overs, then its when the bowling changes happen that they seem to get in trouble. Logically then why wouldn’t you use the bowlers who are doing the damage?
July 10th, 2005 at 3.22 pm
and there we go again. bowling change, wicket
July 10th, 2005 at 3.23 pm
Harry, I agree, with you and Will. Harmison and Flintoff doing all the damage. They should open. Was just implying then Gough is not the right choice as a change bowler.
And Flintoff gets Gilly !
July 10th, 2005 at 3.24 pm
Dreadful shot by Gilchrist – he was looking in such dominant form, too. Good, nagging line by Flintoff as usual though – fine, fine player
July 10th, 2005 at 3.24 pm
fair enough
July 10th, 2005 at 5.24 pm
ah, the comments slow down when it looks predictable
by the by, what was all the hulabaloo about the planes flying overhead…? I sorta missed it…
July 10th, 2005 at 5.25 pm
See here akr
July 10th, 2005 at 5.26 pm
yup just did
July 10th, 2005 at 6.11 pm
Well that knock from ponting made me a lot more confident about the up coming ashes! I’m wondering whether it has made you English lot a little bit less confident? After all, a ponting in form is a huge difference to the Australian team. So we got pontz back, now all we need is Dizzy and we’re set. 1 all going into the final match…should be good! Well i’m off to bed, have a good one
July 10th, 2005 at 6.26 pm
I don’t feel any different. England hammered Australia at Leeds the other day. Australia hammered England today at Lord’s. In both instances, both winning sides had the better of the conditions.
On the plus side for Australia, Kasper, Lee and in particular Ponting both looked very good, but Gillespie looked poor again.. And on the plus side for England, Flintoff found some form – I was surprised Australia didn’t attack him much, as he was short of runs and has now batted himself into form.
All to play for now – just as it should be!
July 10th, 2005 at 9.02 pm
Again, nothing much that the supersubs did. I think both teams are playing the rule with caution. Or maybe they just don’t care enough for these matches. Right now the matches are being won in the ways they always have. Good bowling and batting. No master strategy there…
July 10th, 2005 at 11.53 pm
It’s not taking long for the suber-subs to look like a supermarket sized mistake by ICC.
A good sound performance by Australia, but the toss seems to have been crucial. I only saw the English innings, and was pleased by what I saw- but then when the conditions were not so helpful on Thursday, they got spanked. So, as an Aussie, I’m pleased with the win, but not going over the moon about it.
July 11th, 2005 at 6.19 am
Yeah, i’m not over the moon about it either. But i’ll say again, I am very pleased with seeing pontz hit some form before the Ashes. (re Will says “I don’t feel any different…”)I wasn’t meaning did the loss make you less confident, but did the Australian captain’s return to form? Because i was certianly getting worried that he would be making scores of around 20 through out the test matches, and if the English side can do that then it would make their chances of winning a hell of a lot better! Although i suppose it’s just as pleasing for you English to see Flintoff bat finely and equally as worrying for the Australians.
July 11th, 2005 at 7.48 am
Difference between Eng win the other day, and Aus win yesterday. Eng won when the conditions were remarkably different for bowling first that day. Still they messed up quite a lot during their time. Trescothick got a lucky hundrend rather than a comfortable one.
Yesterday conditions were pretty much the same throughout the day. The difference was that Eng ‘feels’ they cannot win batting first. Ponting got a good almost chanceless hundred. Vaughan did not exploit his weakness for shuffling early on. He might be a different batsmen from now on, we have to see the next match to know if Vaughan has blown the chance he had. Eng bowlers were not good enough (compare this to Aus when they were defending less than 200 in same conditions during the Natwest finals, this debate also on Prem Panicker’s ‘Sightscreen’ blog).
Ofcourse huge positive for Eng is Flintoff has Aus runs now. Need to still observe Tres and Pontz to see if they are able to build on after breaking the slump. Huge minus for Eng is Strauss, and he may not recover for some time, anyway good test of his longivity as a batsman. Huge minus for Aus Hayden seems to have been given a freshning-up break, almost as a last way of getting back to form.
Gillespie is struggling, but almost surely Aus will go without him in first test, and Lee may yet be the weak link (hasn’t done much in tests recently, whenever he got to play). On the other hand, Eng bowlers are not doing good homework (and Fletcher doesnt seem to be of great help). Missing out on exploiting Ponting’s weakness was absurd. They may be letting Gilchrist get away as well, and that would be sure disastor.
Final match, last signs before the battle. Waiting eagerly.
July 11th, 2005 at 8.18 am
All looks good for a great Ashes series, great to see Ponting on fire and Lee as well, there is no way he can be left out of the test side, surely not. Dizzy is the worry though, although i reckon with dizzy and Kaspa, even though on their day they are both great there is a sameness about them, thats why Lee is needed. Was also good to see Flintoff get some runs and not in the usual smash and grab way, all in all makes for good cricket.
My question though after only 2 matches, why do we need supersubs, since I heard about the proposed changes I thought this was a no-brainer. It doesn’t make sense and seems to favor the team that wins the toss, too much advantage. My change would have been, break the 50 overs per side into 2 x 25 over innnings. So that the team batting first bats for 25 overs, then there is a 10 minute interval and the other team bats their 25 overs. Have a 30 minute break and the first side somes back out to bat out their second lot of 25 overs from the same position they were in before. Would mean that both sides face, roughly the same sort of conditions etc. Also means that after the halfway mark there is something to compare each side with. What do ya reckon???
July 11th, 2005 at 3.10 pm
What was wrong with the game in the first place? Why bring in these ridiculous and pointless (POINTLESS I tell you!) rules? The subbing is total bullshit
July 12th, 2005 at 8.42 am
They keep saying how they need to make the game more interesting and that people are getting bored easily these days, but cricket is a very long game! They need to realise that they are never going to get everybody focused every on second of every match! I don’t know about you guys, but i still enjoy cricket as much as i did 5 years ago and i think the I.C.C is getting paranoid!
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