Do England know how to save Test matches?

Considering their cataclysmic first three days, England can be content with reaching 293-5 on the fourth day. It is, rather prematurely, being lauded as the start of England’s attempts to retain the Ashes. England’s endeavours were certainly an improvement. But they didn’t bat in the manner that saves Test matches.

Three of England’s wickets were lost to reckless shots, the sort that would attract light criticism even in limited overs games. Andrew Strauss was caught pulling for the second time in the game; Paul Collingwood, after a fine innings, was stumped; and, most inexcusably of all, skipper Andrew Flintoff played a suicidal shot, caught trying to hit Shane Warne out of the state. It was more reminiscent of his pre-2003 batting, characterised by a lack of coherent thinking.

Though defiant, England’s batting was more Edgbaston 05 than Johannesburg 95. Rattling along at 3.66 an over, England were responsible for a day of exhilarating cricket. Yet their emphasis seemed to be on taking the game to Australia, rather than saving the game themselves.

It is an indication of modern Test cricket that the art of saving games has been lost. Batting time has been replaced by belting.

England have long since been a victim of ‘100 and out’ syndrome; indeed, Collingwood would never have attempted such a reckless shot had his score been anything other than 96. We only need to look at the Australians – Ricky Ponting was devastated to have missed out on a double ton, having made exactly 100 more than the Durham man.

Collingwood’s feisty knock deserves enormous credit, and has surprised many, myself included. But he must realise that, the moment he put century before the match, he ended England’s hopes of salvation. His partnership with Kevin Pietersen constituted the most uplifting facet of England’s performance.

At 244-3, Australia were searching for their next wicket, and there was a very real chance England would save the game. Alas, England gifted it to them.

I was at the Gabba myself today, and although it wasn’t a terribly memorable day’s play, it was an interesting one. Australia declared early … the only thing holding them back was Justin Langer’s century. With that milestone kno…

Watching this test there were several times where Queenslanders sitting near me who know Buchanan, from his time as Queensland coach, chortled at events that were sure to have been orchestrated by Buchanan.

He’s a coach that belives the devil is in the detail and he’s not about to leave that purely in the hands of a player on the field.

Poor Collingwood. I had this sinking feeling during his 90s that Warne was just relishing all the pressure…

Pieterson though… man. I just wish he’d stop playing the bloody sweep! I know the field settings made it nowhere near as risky as it could have been, but for gods sake man, just knuckle down a bit!

If England were 3 down rather than 5, I’d almost be betting on them, particularly given Gilchrist’s rather negative field placings, and the lack of a fully fit McGrath…

It’s almost fair now if Ponting and McGrath are injured… Makes up for Jones, Vaughan and Trescothick.

I was playing International Cricket Captain during the breaks, and was playing the same match as was on TV… quite bizzarre.

Anyway, in my game Trescothick hit 160 odd, Vaughan made a century, and Jones took a five-for. Then Langer, Ponting and Hayden all fell really cheaply to irresponsible shots. I ended up being forced to follow on after England had won the toss and made 580… mainly due to McGrath’s lack of match fitness …. now I’m just batting for a draw.

Almost the direct inverse of the match in the real world.

I didn’t mind Collingwood’s dismissal so much. That’s the way he’d been playing, and to fall being positive carries no shame at all.