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Relive Harmison’s horrors
By Will last year, at the end of November, 1 Comment »
It’s November 18 as I write this while checking on Steve Harmison’s progress for the Lions in South Africa. It reminded me of that horrific first over of last year’s Ashes. Me and my two colleagues were so ridiculously up for the series, we sprinted into work at 10pm (wearing stupid wigs and hats)…and the whole excitement disappeared in a matter of five minutes once Harmison had sprayed it like an aerosol.
So relive those glorious moments of exactly 12 months ago with the commentary below!
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| Here’s Harmison…Now then, it’ll be Steve Harmison bowling to Justin Langer for the first ball of the Ashes. The roar goes up - it is unbelievably loud out there - “Langer’s wearing a sweater! He’s obviously in it for the long haul,” says Andrew Miller.Here come England to rapturous applause and cheers of “Ingerland, Ingerland, Ingerland” from the hordes of England fans. Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden are on the boundary edge and they are seriously pumped up; swinging their bats wildly, sparring with them like boxers before a bout.We’re moments away - the ground looks a picture, under a morning sun which is already scorching hot. We hope you enjoy out commentary today, wherever you are in the world, and don’t forget to keep an eye on our bulletin - from Andrew Miller at the ground - as well as our photo index.Morning Martin, and good morning to everyone, wherever you might be. At last, we’re nearly there and the Gabba - or Gabattoir as some call it and, judging by the cacophonous noise out there, it’s damn close to a fortress-like atmosphere - is slowly filling up. Ricky Ponting had no hesitation in choosing to bat and both teams have gone with the tried and tested. The pitch is dry and, although there’s a hint of grass, the cracks are visible and it could turn a country mile come the fourth day.The national anthems are over - Adam Gilchrist was thankfully the only one to do The American Thing and hold his baggy green next to his heart. All very patriotic.10.55am Well, we made it through that. It’s five minutes away and we are all set. Your commentators throughout this match will be Will Luke, Jenny Thompson and Martin Williamson. Here we go … Will Luke, who has been even more excited about this in recent days than my four-year-old on Christmas Eve, to take you through the first spell. Good morning, Will …10.50am Ian Botham and Ian Healy are carrying out the two flags and we are about to have the national anthems. The two teams are coming out as well and the noise inside the Gabba has been upped a few decibels. I bet the opening batsmen are delighted to be standing out in the middle minutes before they have to open the innings.Oh my God. We have an American-style national anthem sung by a Kylie wannabe … the ceremony must have been organised by a republican. The Aussie anthem gets four girls singing it … not much improvement.
10.40am Nasser Hussain is in the middle and giving his pitch report. It’s about 29 degrees and an 8mph wind coming from the north. The surface is dry and there are cracks on it, and the consensus is that the pitch will play well for a couple of days before the cracks open up, and thereafter there will be uneven bounce for the quick men … not to mention what Warne will do. 10.35am Australia have won the toss and will bat A huge cheer goes up from the home crowd but a shocker from Sky TV. Nicholas is interviewing Flintoff and the on-field analysts are yakking over the top of him. Shambles. Our man on the spot gives us the quotes nevertheless … “We’d probably have had a bat, but we’re not too bothered,” says Flintoff, perhaps not as convincing as he would like to be. “The ball doesn’t swing for long, so the first ten overs we’ve got to get it in the right area.” As for Ponting, he is clearly happy to have first crack. The wicket does look particularly good. There’s a bit of moisture on the top of it but there are a few cracks which might open up.” Asked about the decision to play Stuart Clark, he said: “Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait have both missed out. The way Stuart bowls in these Brisbane conditions will be handy and if there are some cracks - he’s a straight bowler, so he will find them hopefully.” A reminder of the teams: England 1 Andrew Strauss, 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Ian Bell, 4 Paul Collingwood, 5 Kevin Pietersen, 6 Andrew Flintoff (capt), 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Ashley Giles, 9 Matthew Hoggard, 10 Steve Harmison, 11 James Anderson. Australia 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Justin Langer, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Michael Clarke, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Brett Lee, 10 Stuart Clark, 11 Glenn McGrath. 10.30am The captains are walking out to the middle … here we go. Both are wearing blazers and caps, and they are going to be tossing with a special commemorative coin (that will doubtless be on eBay within hours!). All lined up on the wicket, very portentous music playing. And here’s Mark Nicholas … 10.25am The commentators are pontificating about life, the universe and everything. Behind them, the pitch is beginning to clear in preparation for the toss which is in less than five minutes. The stands are filling out nicely and the PA is getting really quite deliriously excited … Wayne writes: “Australia’s selection of Stuart Clark is a good choice but I think Mitchell Johnson would have done a great job and offered something a little more different to Glen McGrath’s clone.” 10.15am England have named their XI and as expected, Ashley Giles has been preferred to Monty Panesar. “It’s safety first from Fletcher, but with some reason,” Andrew Miller tells us. “Remember 2002-03, when Craig White was England’s No. 7. The idea of a tail that long is anathema to the coach. Giles acts as ballast, and should allow England’s top six to play with greater freedom.” Feedback on the decision to play Giles coming in. “Giles starting in place of Panesar? We all knew it was coming. What is going on? Fletcher you haven’t got a clue,” writes Neil. “Even if the long tail is a good point, and I rate Giles, has he really played enough cricket to be prepared for this match?” asks Michael Wells. Sriram Veera, our insomniac in Bangalore, advises us that this is the 100th Test that Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have played together. 9.55am Andrew Miller, our man at the Gabba, reports as follows: Definite green tinges in the wicket, and Ricky Ponting reckons there’s some moisture lurking beneath the rock-hard surface as well. The team that wins the toss will probably bat first, but as Nasser Hussain demonstrated four years ago, nothing can be taken for granted England team have been in a huddle on the practice strip and are now jogging round before going through their stretches. Ashley Giles has been busy going through his bowling action, which may or may not be a sign of anything 9.30am Good morning and welcome to coverage of the first Test at Brisbane. In 80 minutes the phony war is over and the talking stops. The weather is clear and sunny and there will be a prompt start. Read Andrew Miller’s preview by clicking here and send us your thoughts by clicking here There is no news at the moment on whether England will play Ashley Giles or Monty Panesar but as soon as we hear, we’ll let you know. The local pundits are betting on Giles, however. |
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| 0.1 | Harmison to Langer, 1 wide, and it’s wild and woolly, a massive wide taken by first slip. Welcome back to Australia, Steve |
Knock yourselves out with more if you can bear it.
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