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

[Aussie Team]

I'm pretty sure this two will score more then 250 (partnership)

 

[Fenil]

I think England will come back with few quick wickets now.

 

[timchrist984]

Australia In Control At Tea

England 10-256, 69.5 Overs ( KP Pietersen 125*, J Trott 34, X Doherty 5-58, P Siddle 4-64), Australia 4-297, 80.0 Overs (SR Watson 117, MJ Clarke 98*, M North 35*, PD Collingwood 1-24, G Swann 1-34, J Anderson 1-97)

After the game looked in the balance early, Australia have dominated and now have a 41 run lead. None of the English bowlers have really looked threatening on what is a hard, flat pitch. England will really need to break the partnership of Clarke and North if they are to restrict Australia to a reasonable score.

Going in to lunch, Watson was on 99 not out. It took him until the 2nd over after the break to reach his hundred. He brought up the ton with a glorious drive through the covers. He celebrated his magnificent 163 ball hundred by punching the air and hugging Michael Clarke. He was visibly ecstatic over making his 3rd test hundred.

3 overs after Watson brought up his hundred, Clarke reached his 50. He raised his bat and received ripples of applause from his home crowd in celebration of his 102 ball half century.

It was the 58th over of the innings when the wonderful innings of Shane Watson came to an end. He slashed at a wide, pitched up delivery from Anderson and got a big outside edge. It carried comfortably through to 2nd slip where Jonathan Trott completed the catch. Watson was out for an 117 that came off 179 balls and included 13 boundaries. The score was 3-201 and the Watson-Clarke partnership that was worth 123 runs came to an end.

Mike Hussey then came to the crease. He put on 33 runs with Michael Clarke before he was dismissed in the 64th over. Hussey drove a full ball from Finn straight to mid on and sprinted off for the run. He dived to make his ground, but it was too late, a direct hit from Ian Bell found Hussey half a meter short. Hussey was out for 13 and the score was 4-234.

Marcus North then came to the crease and got off to a slow start. He faced 20 balls before he scored his first run. However, this was not an issue as Clarke was keeping the scoreboard ticking over. By the tea break, Clarke and North had put on 63 runs.

So, Australia is in complete control. England are desperate for a break through. The only way they can get back in to the match is through wickets. Can they deliver?

'Watson Celebrates His 100'​

 

[Fenil]

Aussies seem to be in a commanding position and looking all set to get the score around 425.

 

[Gaurav_7]

Michael Clarke is playing well. I'm backing the Australians to get a huge total here. North looks set too. Coming back to Watson, he is too good.

 

[timchrist984]

Australia Take 140 Run Lead In To Day 3

England 10-256, 69.5 Overs ( KP Pietersen 125*, J Trott 34, X Doherty 5-58, P Siddle 4-64), Australia 6-396, 110.0 Overs (SR Watson 117, MJ Clarke 155*, M North 43, PD Collingwood 1-24, G Swann 2-55, J Anderson 1-126, S Broad 1-67)

Another strong session by Australia has given them a commanding position going in to day 3. They have amassed an 140 run lead and still have 4 wickets in hand. Michael Clarke is looking invincible and his currently on 155 not out. England will really need something special now, if they are to get back in to this test.

It was in the 2nd over after the tea break that Clarke brought up his hundred. He punched a full ball from Finn through the covers and saluted the crowd as he jogged through for the single. His hundred had come off 180 balls and had included 11 boundaries.

4 overs later, Marcus North, who was looking strong, was dismissed. He got a top edge while attempting to sweep Graeme Swann. The ball ballooned up in to the air and Matt Prior completed a simple catch. North was out for a 69 ball 41 that included 3 fours. With the score on 5-310, Clarke and North's valuable 76 run partnership came to an end.

Brad Haddin was the next batsman at the crease. He made a cautious start and was lucky to survive a stumping appeal in the 91st over. However, he has made the most of his luck and is looking in good touch.

It was 2 overs before the drinks break when Clarke completed his 150. He had reached the milestone in 251 balls and had hit 16 fours. The enthusiastic Sydney crowd gave Clarke a standing ovation as he rose his bat.

Clarke and Haddin then put on 84 runs before Haddin lost concentration with just 2 overs until stumps. He flashed at full delivery from Broad and got an outside edge which carried comfortably to Cook at 2nd slip. Haddin was out for a 70 ball 28 and the score was 6-394.

Clarke and Harris then batted sensibly for the next few overs. On the final ball of the day Harris played an ambitious cut shot towards Pietersen at gully. To the naked eye, it looked as if Pietersen had dropped a simple catch. However, the replays showed that the ball had bounced before him.

So, Australia really are dominating now. If England are to get back in the match, they will have undo Clarke and clean up the Aussie tail quickly.

'Michael Clarke Plays A Hook Shot'​

 

[Fenil]

Well, well well. Aussies have a good lead and now, Englishmen will be under pressure to score and that too at a brisk rate as they can't play whole 2 days out.

 

[timchrist984]

Australia Go All Out

England 10-256, 69.5 Overs ( KP Pietersen 125*, J Trott 34, X Doherty 5-58, P Siddle 4-64), Australia 10-501, 134.1 Overs (SR Watson 117, MJ Clarke 177, M North 43, PD Collingwood 1-24, G Swann 2-75, J Anderson 3-158, S Broad 1-67)

A good morning session from England, that included 4 wickets, has mean that Australia have gone all out for 501. The English spinners, Swann and Pietersen looked particularly threatening. This is mainly due to the pitch. Cracks seem to be forming everywhere, meaning that batting last will be a nightmare on this deck.

Australia resumed on day 3 with the score on 6-396. Michael Clarke and Ryan Harris occupied the crease for the first 12 overs of the day, sharing a useful 48 run partnership. Eventually, Harris edged Anderson to Cook at 2nd slip. He was out for a 54 ball 23 and the score was 7-442.

Clarke was then joined at the crease by Tasmanian spinner, Xavier Doherty. 2 overs later, the centurion, Michael Clarke, was dismissed. He played a wild off side slash to a wide ball from Anderson and got a big outside edge. Trott took the catch at 3rd slip and Clarke had to go. He was out for an 177 that came off 301 balls and included 17 fours.

Peter Siddle was the new man at the crease. Siddle and Doherty put on 19 runs before Doherty chipped Pietersen a simple return catch and was out for a 21 ball 6.

With the score on 9-474, Dougie Bollinger came to the crease. Siddle and Bollinger then smashed another 27 runs in just 5 overs. With the score on 9-501, Peter Siddle edged a good length ball from Finn straight to Trott at 2nd slip. Siddle was out for 34 and Australia were all out.

So, England have 5 tricky overs to bat through before the lunch break. Will they get off to a good start and set Australia a big score to chase down batting last? Or will Australia continued their dominant performances with the ball? Stay tuned for more from Sydney.

'James Anderson Celebrates One Of His 3 Wickets'​

Please note that this is my first scorecard. As I don't have photoshop, I have to make do with paint. If you think it looks a bit dodgy, please tell me how to improve it.

 

[Gaurav_7]

That is a very good try at the scorecard.

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

Download an alternative for PS from here.

 

[timchrist984]

England Make It To Lunch Unscathed

England 10-256, 69.5 Overs ( KP Pietersen 125*, J Trott 34, X Doherty 5-58, P Siddle 4-64) and 0-11, 5.0 overs (Strauss 6*, Cook 3*), Australia 10-501, 134.1 Overs (SR Watson 117, MJ Clarke 177, M North 43, PD Collingwood 1-24, G Swann 2-75, J Anderson 3-158, S Broad 1-67)

With just 5 overs to survive through, it was essential that England were none down at the lunch break. Luckily, Strauss and Cook held their nerve and have guided England to lunch with the score at 0-11.

Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, gave the new ball to Dougie Bollinger. Bollinger bowled the first over of the innings and looked dangerous throughout it. He beat the bat twice and the over turned out to be a maiden. However, from the other end, Ryan Harris didn't look in good form at all. He sprayed the ball all over the place and conceded 6 runs from his first over.

After the first couple of overs, the English openers began to look more comfortable. Strauss is currently on 6 from 20 balls with 1 four and Cook is on 3 from 20 balls.

So, the next 2 sessions are absolutely vital for England. If they can make it until the end of the day with only one or two wickets down, they will be a good chance of setting Australia a decent score. However, if they lose quick wickets, Australia will be in the box seat for an innings victory.

'Cook Glides One Away'​

 

[timchrist984]

England 4 Down At Tea

England 10-256, 69.5 Overs ( KP Pietersen 125*, J Trott 34, X Doherty 5-58, P Siddle 4-64) and 4-136, 35.0 overs (I Bell 40*, A Cook 33, PD Collingwood 21*, P Siddle 2-25), Australia 10-501, 134.1 Overs (SR Watson 117, MJ Clarke 177, M North 43, PD Collingwood 1-24, G Swann 2-75, J Anderson 3-158, S Broad 1-67)v

After an enthralling session of cricket, Australia only just have the upper hand. England's 4-136 isn't impressive. However, Collingwood (21*) and Bell (40*) have shared a 78 run partnership and are steering England in the right direction.

It was the 5th over after lunch when England's first wicket fell. Strauss edged a beautiful out-swinger from Bollinger straight to Katich at 2nd slip and was gone for a 37 ball 15. Bollinger, the crowd favourite, excited the Sydney faithful with his wild celebrations before umpire Billy Bowden calmed him down.

With the score on 1-29, Jonathan Trott came to the crease. Cook and Trott added 26 runs to the total before he fell in the 18th over. He was out plumb LBW for 13 after Siddle sent down a blisteringly quick in-swinging yorker. At 2-55, a collapse for England looked to be coming.

Pietersen was the new man at the crease. He added 17 runs together with Cook until Siddle struck again in the 22nd over. Siddle bowled a full ball outside off stump and Cook played an ambitious cover drive that resulted in a healthy outside edge. The ball carried comfortably to Katich at 2nd slip and Cook was out for a 59 ball 33.

Collingwood was the new man in. He shared a 2 run partnership with Pietersen before Shane Watson picked up his first wicket in the 24th over. Watson bowled a slower ball on off stump and Pietersen didn't pick it. He was far too early on the shot and he missed it completely. The ball cannoned in to off stump and Pietersen was out for a 14 ball 8.

Ian Bell then joined Paul Collingwood at the crease. They have combined beautiful. Both Bell and Collingwood have been scoring freely. Their 78 run partnership has included 8 boundaries. Bell is scoring at a strike rate of 77 and Collingwood at 81. The pair look in great touch and the bowlers seem to be clueless as to how to get them out.

So, England need Collingwood and Bell to continue their partnership to make sure Australia have to bat again. Australia, on the other hand, really need their young bowlers to fire, as they can't let the partnership of Bell and Collingwood get out of hand.

'Ian Bell Plays A Powerful Straight Drive'​

 

[Fenil]

These two needs to stitch a huge partnership to avoid the defeat.

 

[timchrist984]

Magic Doherty Bowls Australia To Innings Victory

England 10-256, 69.5 Overs ( KP Pietersen 125*, J Trott 34, X Doherty 5-58, P Siddle 4-64) and 10-189, 48.5 overs (I Bell 55, A Cook 33, PD Collingwood 43, X Doherty 5-36, P Siddle 3-29), Australia 10-501, 134.1 Overs (SR Watson 117, MJ Clarke 177, M North 43, PD Collingwood 1-24, G Swann 2-75, J Anderson 3-158, S Broad 1-67)

Some superb bowling by young Aussie spinner, Xavier Doherty has meant that Australia have cruised to an innings victory here in Sydney. After tea, England resumed on 4-136. In the space of 14 overs, Australia reduced them to a pathetic 189 all out. Doherty, the magic man, has thrilled the Sydney crowd just as Warne did for so many years. With match figures of 10-94, it looks as if Australia have found their new spin bowling sensation. Their second in a decade.

It was the in the 7th over after tea that Ian Bell brought up his fifty. His 62 ball half century had included 7 fours and a six. The predominantly Australian crowd booed loudly as Bell rose his bat towards the Barmy Army. At that stage, the score was 4-169. The fast paced partnership between Bell and Collingwood was then worth 95.

In the 42nd over of the England innings, Bell was dismissed and his partnership with Collingwood had come to an end. Bell played a tentative defensive shot to a Doherty ball and got an outside edge. The ball popped up and Katich took the easy catch. Bell was gone for 55 and England were 5-170.

Prior then joined Collingwood at the crease. The pair stayed together for 3 overs before Doherty brought about another bat pad chance. He bowled a full ball that hit a crack and jumped on Collingwood. He got thick edge and Katich held on to the vital catch. Collingwood was out for a 60 ball 43 and England were 6-180.

When Stuart Broad strolled out to the crease, England were trailing by 65 runs. It was expected that Prior and Broad would bat conservatively until stumps as to avoid an innings defeat. This was not to be. 2 overs after the dismissal of Collingwood, Prior slashed at wide ball from Doherty and got a big edge. The ball carried comfortably to 1st slip where Simon Katich took the catch. Prior had made 6 from 15 balls and England were in massive trouble at 7-181.

12 balls and 1 one run later, Stuart Broad fell to none other than Xavier Doherty. He scooped a full ball straight to Shane Watson at cover and was out for an 8 ball one. With the score on 8-184, Graeme Swann was joined at the crease by James Anderson.

After facing just 4 balls, James Anderson was sent packing after he misjudged an arm ball and was bowled through the gate. As Anderson departed for 4, Doherty celebrated his 5th wicket of the innings, his 10th for the match. With the score at 9-188, number 11, Steven Finn came to the crease.

After facing just 2 balls, Finn fell to a yorker from Siddle. He was bowled, middle stump for a duck. England were all out for 189 and Australia had won by an innings and 56 runs.

So, after another disappointing test from England, Australia lead the 5 match series 2-0. They will be looking secure an Ashes victory in the next test as a win would give them an unbeatable 3-0 lead. England will really need to work on their ability to occupy the crease or the 3rd test will turn the same way the first 2 have.

'The Aussie Celebrate One Of Doherty's Wickets'

Man of the Match: Michael Clarke (177)
Scorecards: Summary, Batting, Batting (Advanced), Bowling​

 

[Fenil]

Its going to be really tough for England to come back in this series now.

 

[timchrist984]

Four Aussies Out For 3rd Test

Four members of Australia?s team that won comfortably in Sydney will
not be playing in the next test. Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty,
Marcus North and Simon Katich are all unavailable for the next test
after they missed the team flight from Sydney to Brisbane. While
staying over at Dougie?s house, the group slept in on the morning of
their flight. Cricket Australia has banned the four from playing in
the rest of the test series due to their undisciplined actions.

A sheepish Bollinger made a formal apology to the public after the
media was informed of the incident.

?I sincerely apologise to all of Australia for my actions. It was a
lazy, immature mistake to oversleep on the morning of a team flight. I
am sorry for Kato, Xav and Northy as it is my fault that they will
miss the remainder of the Ashes series,? he said.

?I can confirm that no alcohol was involved. It was just a simple case
of me getting mixed up with times,? Bollinger replied, when asked what
the reason for his mistake was.

This is a huge blow for Australia as 10 of the 20 wickets they took in
Sydney were taken by Xavier Doherty. Australia will surely miss their
latest spin bowling sensation in the next test.

Luckily, there is some good news for Australia. Mitchell Johnson and
Ben Hilfenhaus have both overcome their injuries and are expected to
play in the 3rd test. Phil Hughes and Steven Smith have been called up
to cover for the disgraced Katich and North. Bollinger and Doherty are
expected to be replaced in the side by Johnson and Hilfenhaus.

?The Disgraced Men of Australian Cricket?​