Story Australia's 2010-11 Summer [3rd Test, Day 1, Tea]

[Fenil]

Its a good stage for England to return with a win here.

 

[Gaurav_7]

Loved that update there. Adds something extra to the usual Cricket. But, I'd still back Australia to do well.

 

[Dipak]

Lol, whatta reason to miss three tests

 

[timchrist984]

Broad To Miss Series After Injury

English fast bowler, Stuart Broad will now miss the rest of the Ashes after he tore his ACL while participating in a fielding drill. He is expected to be fit for the world cup, but will definitely miss the whole Ashes series as well as the 7 match ODI series against Australia.

Broad, as well as most of the English bowling attack, has not enjoyed much success so far this Summer. He picked up just 4 wickets in the first 2 tests of the series. While it is a huge blow for Broad personally, England will not be overly disappointed, as the injury gives them a chance to try either Chris Tremlett or Tim Bresnan as test cricketers.

When asked about his injury, Broad responded to the media by saying 'I didn't even know what an ACL was before my injury. I have been told by the fitness staff that I must rest for at least 3 months, so my goal at this point is to be fit for the World Cup.'

'It's a great opportunity for Chris and Bres to prove themselves as test cricketers, but I'm confident I will get my place in the team back once I've recovered,' he said, when asked whether his current form warrants a place in the test side.

'Stuart Broad: Injured or dropped?'​

 

[Fenil]

The mysterious injuries and missing the test continues...

 

[timchrist984]

These surely are strange and uncertain times for cricketers.

 

[Gaurav_7]

What is ACL?

 

[Dipak]

Same question here, what is ACL?

'Stuart Broad: Injured or dropped?'

or may have also slept off with dougie.

 

[Fenil]

What is ACL?

Same question here, what is ACL?

The ACL is the smallest of the four main ligaments of the knee and is the primary stabilizer. ACL stands for the Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

 

[Dipak]

The ACL is the smallest of the four main ligaments of the knee and is the primary stabilizer. ACL stands for the Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

Cheers for that mate. Anyways not keen on Bio after my 10th.

 

[timchrist984]

3rd Test: Brisbane, Australia v England (16 December 2010)

After another week clouded by injuries and off-field indiscretions, the 3rd test of this ashes series has finally rolled around. The media coverage on Dougie's sleepover and Stuart Broad's injury has taken the cricket world's attention of the fact that England are 2-0 down in an ashes series.

Aside from Kevin Pietersen, who scored 125 not out in Sydney, none of the English batsmen have been able to occupy the crease for more than a session. Australia's young bowling attack performed beautifully in Sydney. It is a real shame that Bollinger and Doherty will no longer take part in the series. Fortunately for Australia, Johnson and Hilfenhaus have had swift recoveries from their injuries.

This test is simply a must win for England. If they lose, they will no longer be able to retain the ashes. A draw in this 3rd test would mean they would have to win every single test match in the rest of the series to retain the ashes. Australia have played brilliantly in this series so far and will be looking to secure the ashes with a win in this, the 3rd Vodafone Ashes test match.

As the captains made their way out in to the centre to do the toss, the weather report for the next 5 days was flashed up on the big screen. The news is not good. Showers are expected on both day 2 and day 3. The temperature is not expected to get above 16 degrees for the whole test match. This bleak weather forecast means that both teams will be wanting to attack from the start and force a result.

Just before the coin toss the teams were released. Australia have confirmed that Johnson, Hilfenhaus, Hughes and Smith will come in to replaced the disgraced Bollinger, Katich, Doherty and North. England have announced that Chris Tremlett will replace the injured Stuart Broad in the side. Here are the teams:

Australia
Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Harris
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

England
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Prior
Swann
Tremlett
Anderson
Finn

Toss:

So, Strauss has won the toss and has sent Australia in to bat. This makes complete sense as the overhead conditions are cool and damp. The pitch is soft and green, a bowler's paradise.

Will England take advantage of the conditions and dominate with the new ball? Or will Hughes and Watson give Australia a solid start? Stay tuned for more from Brisbane.​

 

[timchrist984]

Australia Two Down At Lunch

Australia, 30.0 Overs, 2-99 (MJ Clarke 38, SR Watson 37, S Finn 1-26, J Anderson 1-27)

After England dominated early with the new ball, Clarke and Watson have fought back and taken Australia to 2-99 at lunch. Finn, Anderson and Tremlett all made the most of the cool, moist conditions. They swung the ball hard from the get go. England have also let themselves down in the field. In the last 4 overs of the session alone, they managed to grass 2 catching chances.

James Anderson and Steven Finn shared the new ball for England. They bowled beautifully, troubling both the Australian openers. As Hughes and Watson are generally fairly aggressive, they struggled early against England's top class bowling that didn't give them many opportunities to score. In the 2nd over of the innings, Finn struck Watson on the pad with a big in-swinger and appealed loudly. The umpire turned the appeal down as the ball hit Watson outside off stump.

Watson and Hughes put on 17 runs before Australia lost their first wicket. On the first ball of the 7th over, Anderson bowled a full slower ball that Hughes misread completely. He chipped Anderson a simple return catch and was sent packing for just 8. This brought the Australian captain, Ricky Ponting to the crease.

It was in the very next over that Finn picked up the prized wicket of Ricky Ponting. He bowled a full in-swinger and Ponting went for a big cover drive. He got a thick inside edge and the stumps went cartwheeling. Ponting was out for just 6 and Australia were in trouble at 2-24.

The Australian vice-captain, Michael Clarke, then came to the crease. He looked in great touch right from the start. He and Watson batted beatuifully to see of the new ball attack of Anderson and Finn. For the 14th over, Andrew Strauss decided to bring on Chris Tremlett. Clakre and Watson handled him with ease. They took the score to 2-49 at drinks.

Watson and Clarke then put on 68 runs before they offered up a chance. It was the 4th ball of the 28th over when Anderson found the outside edge of Michael Clarke. The ball came hard and fast towards 2nd slip where Alistair Cook dropped a difficult chance.

Graeme Swann was then introduced in to the attack. On the 3rd ball of his first over he deceived Watson and brought about a thin outside edge. The ball went straight in to Prior's gloves and straight out again. Both Swann and Strauss were furious.

Clarke and Watson then batted carefully throughout the next 2 overs to ensure Australia were only 2 down at lunch.

So, with Clarke on 38 and Watson on 37, the current partnership is looking good for Australia. England really need to break it. Cook and Prior will be kicking themselves as they have both missed takeable chances.

Will Watson and Clarke continue their partnership and put Australia in a strong position? Or will the English bowlers fight back and make a breakthrough? Stay tuned for more from Brisbane.

'Matt Prior Drops Watson'

1st Session Highlights:

 

[Fenil]

This drop catch will cost England much.

 

[timchrist984]

Watson Cruises Towards Hundred

Australia, 60.0 Overs, 3-198 (SR Watson 91*, MJ Clarke 53, S Finn 1-40, G Swann 1-41, J Anderson 1-61)

At tea on day one of this 3rd test, Australia hold a slight advantage. They are 3 down after 60 overs of cricket. Watson is playing brilliantly and is on 91 not out. He and Hussey have shared an unbeaten partnership of 53 for the 4th wicket. None of the English bowlers have really troubled the Aussies after the ball lost it's shine.

After the lunch interval, Anderson and Swann continued to bowl in tandem. Watson and Clarke handled them with ease. Watson brought up his fifty in the 34th over of the innings after he drove Anderson through the covers for a single. He celebrated the landmark by casually raising his bat to the dressing room.

Steven Finn was eventually brought back in to the attack to bowl the 40th over. On the 2nd ball of his new spell, Clarke survived a big LBW to shout. Hawkeye confirmed that the ball was just bouncing over the stumps. Clarke made the most of his chance and brought his fifty in the very next over.

On the 2nd ball of the 43rd over, Swann made the breakthrough. He bowled a fullish ball and Clarke flicked it straight to Tremlett at mid-wicket. Clarke was out for an 120 ball 53 and Australia were 3-145. He had shared an 121 run partnership with Watson.

Michael Hussey then came to the crease. After a slow start, he started to combined well with Watson. After 46 overs, Graeme Swann was replaced by James Anderson. Anderson bowled a tight line and length. The Aussies hardly scored off him for the first few overs of his spell. At the other end however, Chris Tremlett was not so economical. Both Hussey and Watson punished his short balls with brilliant hook shots.

Just before the tea break, Graeme Swann was introduced back in to the attack to try and snare a wicket. Hussey and Watson both played him cautiously to ensure Australia were 3 down at the break.

As it stands, Watson and Hussey have put on 53 for the 4th wicket. Watson is on 91 and Hussey is on 22. England really need some quick wickets to get back on top.

Will England pick up the wickets they need? Or will Watson and Hussey put on a massive 4th wicket partnership to give Australia complete control of the test? Stay tuned for more from Brisbane.

2nd Session Highlights

 

[Fenil]

That was a pretty long lunch break. Watson and Clarke doing good work out there.

England on downhill and its not surprising at all given how they have performed so far.