766 and All That by Paul Johnson

Author:Paul Johnson [Over by Over team]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780571277827
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Published: 2011-02-11T16:00:00+00:00

England 187; Australia 268

The evening session

By Rob Smyth

Preamble: In 1990–1, the Ashes were decided in 13 days. In 1994–5, the series was over after 15 days. In 1998–9, it was 13. In 2002–3, 11. In 2006–7, 15. But in 2010–11, the Ashes series began on the 12th day, with Mitchell Johnson dragging Australia into the contest in stunning style. England are in trouble here, 81 runs behind, but it’s crucial that they keep their nerve. Perth is a wicket that ages as beautifully as Sophia Loren.

1st over: Australia 0–0 (Watson 0, Hughes 0) This is a vital spell for Jimmy Anderson, who wasn’t at his best yesterday. He starts with a reasonable maiden to Watson.

2nd over: Australia 4–0 (Watson 0, Hughes 4) Hughes leaves a couple and then drags the last delivery through mid-on for four. ‘Rob,’ says Daniel Sheehan, ‘I think the readers need an early-morning update from the office of Alec Gregory.’ I’d forgotten about the exploits of Dignity’s Alec Gregory! That seems ages ago. A more innocent time; when England were a couple of days away from retaining the Ashes; when I could feel my eyes.

3rd over: Australia 4–0 (Watson 0, Hughes 4) Australia have started very carefully – particularly Watson, who plays (or rather leaves) another maiden from Anderson.

4th over: Australia 6–0 (Watson 1, Hughes 5) This will be a mammoth session: two hours 40 minutes, with a maximum of 39 overs. Not quite Melbourne 1998, but still a beast. Tremlett galumphs in to Hughes, whom he has dismissed thrice on tour already, and Hughes squirts one through point for a single. Watson then gets off the mark.

5th over: Australia 6–0 (Watson 1, Hughes 5) This is interesting. England half appeal and half celebrate when Watson pushes at a booming delivery from Anderson that flies through to Prior. Marais Erasmus said not out, but England decided not to review it. So why did they appeal quite so vociferously? Replays show it just hit the trousers on the way through.

6th over: Australia 11–0 (Watson 2, Hughes 9) With every ball Hughes survives, the danger of him punishing England increases. Obviously. You know what I mean. He has looked OK so far, and drills Tremlett down the ground for three.

7th over: Australia 16–0 (Watson 5, Hughes 11) ‘I’ve just woken up to read this filth,’ says Martin Quinn, which just about sums it up. ‘If there is an upside I suppose it’s that Hussey and Haddin apart, our bowling attack has the hoodoo on this lot and we remain a very tough team to beat; our second-innings batting has a track record of saving and winning games.’ Is this the best England team ever?

8th over: Australia 16–0 (Watson 5, Hughes 11) Tremlett gets one to pop a little, and Hughes fends it on the bounce to gully.

9th over: Australia 30–0 (Watson 19, Hughes 11) Steven Finn replaces James Anderson. He goes for 14! Watson goes for him straight away, hitting three boundaries. That sound you can hear in your head is the theme from Jaws.

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