Australia's recovery is a tribute to the skill and resilience of their middle order, and look how quickly they scored their runs .. Wood and Woakes on the day were not good enough to back up Broad's great effort. We will be hanging on for another draw it already seems
It was moving sideways early on but yep another reminder why I should never be positive you just know in the same conditions we’d be all out for 200 (on a good day )
Only watched the first session so really disappointed to wake up and only see two further wickets.
We had them on the ropes at 12-3, perhaps should’ve been 12-4, and yet again we let them take control away from us.
Shocking bowling from Mark Wood unfortunately, going at 6.86 runs per over in Test cricket is dreadful. Even Woakes going at 4.16 per over is really disappointing.
Nothing decent backing up the opening combo of Broad & Robinson, who both bowled some exceptional stuff early on, I’m afraid.
Labuschagne, Head heed Championship lessons to tame England in their own conditions
Struggles in seaming conditions in 2021 pay dividends as England let the moment slip
Rumour has it that in the 2021 County Championship season, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head were among the Australia overseas pros in a WhatsApp group named "Stevo's gonna get ya". The group was named in honour of Darren Stevens, the Grand Old Man of Kent, and sure enough, he frequently did, his ageless wobblers giving both men grief en route to a haul of 39 wickets at 18.58 at the age of 45.
Twice in the space of a month, Labuschagne fell to Stevens in identical fashion: lbw for 11 on a Cardiff greentop in April on the eve of his birthday to boot, and lbw for 11 in a rain-wrecked rematch in Canterbury in May. In between whiles, Head was bowled for 20 in their solitary match-up in Hove.
Ollie Robinson played in that latter game too, reeling off the impressive figures of 18-4-29-3 as Kent were rolled over for 145 in the first innings; so too Zak Crawley, whose criticism of county pitches made headlines on the eve of this Test. Whatever the vagaries on display in Sussex that week, he transcended most of them in making 85 from 144 in Kent's second innings.
And so too, in an extraordinary second-hour onslaught in Hobart did Labuschagne and Head, as they ripped the initiative back from a rampant England team in Ashes conditions that might have been spirited directly from the sort of Division Two tussle that is getting such a bad rap at present.
For the first hour of this contest, delayed by a band of cold, polar-originating rain that might as well have been hovering over Old Trafford in 1997 or Trent Bridge in 2015, it was as if the 2023 Ashes had arrived a Test too soon. It could not have been further removed from the sort of sun-baked moonscape that England have invariably been routed on in Perth, the original venue for this contest. This surface was actually under water two weeks ago - New Road, eat your heart out.
Shane Warne has barely let up about Robinson's lack of pace throughout this series, but when the ball is offering up 1.2 degrees of seam movement - almost twice as much as on any other surface all summer - good areas are really all that matters, as Stevo's latest contract extension will amply attest.
And so it proved, as Robinson chugged to the crease with that cloud-snagging delivery point, dropping the ball on a perfectly full length - closing his eyes and whanging it down, as Matthew Hoggard used to say of his most productive spells, when the ball is on a string and the methods that you have honed over so many seasons are just surging to the surface.
At the other end, battle was rejoined between Stuart Broad and David Warner - the version of the battle that Broad had won so unequivocally with seven dismissals in the 2019 series, and which England had chosen not to rejoin at the outset of the series at the Gabba.
The what-ifs abounded as Warner was pinned down for the longest duck of his career - tormented as ever by Broad's around-the-wicket line but finally snagging Robinson's angle across his bows to depart for his fifth Ashes zero, his first on home soil. Steven Smith then managed just two balls before snapping his trapdoor down late on an off-stump lifter, as inexorable as Mike Atherton succumbing once again to Glenn McGrath's half-a-bat's-width of movement.
And in between whiles, Robinson should have made it three ducks for Australia's three kingpins, only for Crawley's spill at slip to add to Labuschagne's burgeoning tally of reprieves in this series.
And just like that, it was as if Labuschagne and Head had chosen to own all those indignities in English conditions, and throw them straight back at their suddenly emboldened opponents. Labuschagne in particular played an extraordinary innings - and though it ended in extraordinary fashion, bowled around the legs and floored in the same movement by a Broad straight ball - the punches he threw in his 53-ball stay were critical and initiative-seizing.
In particular, he climbed into the man who has caused him more bother than anyone else in his Test career. "I'm ready for you, Woody," Labuschagne was heard to say through the stump mic, as Mark Wood entered the attack for the final over before drinks.
In terms of match-ups, Wood was the right man for the moment, having claimed Labuschagne's wicket three times in as many innings of late; but in terms of the conditions, his skiddy pace slipped all too greasily off the deck and into the middle of an eagerly flung bat. Labuschagne greeted Wood with a sublime fifth-ball flick off the pads, then he and Head combined with a brace of boundaries to take 11 runs from his second over, and suddenly the mood had changed.
A penny for James Anderson's thoughts as he sat in the dressing room, filling out the crossword. He has spent 15 years traipsing around Australia, burgling his wickets through discipline, hard toil and an ability to seize on even the most fractional assistance on a litany of soul-sapping decks.
Now he was sitting out of a contest that could not have been more tailor-made for his methods. You might have assumed Chris Woakes would be a handy understudy - his haul of 94 wickets in 25 home Tests has come at a better average of 22.63 than even Broad and Anderson. But Woakes' first ball was a nervy half-volley, duly slammed away, as if his toothless displays at the sharp end of the series had drained him of any residual belief.
And so Australia recovered from 12 for 3 after ten overs to 85 for 4 after 24 - hardly a position of authority by the standards of the series already gone, but more than just a toe-hold in the sort of circumstances that England, with their experience of such bowler-friendly combat, really should have had the weapons to boss from first ball to last.
And the fact that Labuschagne and Head were able to claim a share of the morning honours suggests that that WhatsApp group may have had more value than mere banter exchange.
Please excuse me for raising something else not connected to the Ashes although one or two mentioned may feature in the future) in briefly talking about the U19 World Cup - it's probably not worth starting a thread in its own right.
For the West Indies team today against Australia, was Onaje Amory. Now this lad is 6' 5'' and possesses the physique of your typical Caribbean quick who'll come in to bat in the middle order and brutalise the opposition bowling. Except he can't bat. And when I say he can't bat I mean he can't bat. Came in at 11 and just about survived to be the not out batsman at the end of the innings - without scoring. In fact, he's batted six times for the Windies, been out in three of them and has yet to score a single run. Oh and he bowls off spin and he really is quite good at doing that (10-1-29-1 today). Two things to learn from this - as the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover. And a warning to all opposition batsmen (and the Windies keeper) - watch out for his quicker ball because it will be quick and with plenty of bounce too!!!
Playing in the same game was Teague Wyllie. Remember this lad's name. Not hard to do really, This is a guaranteed Test player of the future. Not just because he scored 86* (129) today and guided the Aussies home. More because he came into this competition with an already big reputation. He's 17 now but as a 16 year old, in October 2020, he scored his first ton in 1st Grade cricket - and batted for all 98 overs of the innings in doing so. People there are talking about him being the next Damien Martyn. His 19 year old sister can play too as she plays for both WA and the Perth Scorchers.
Also in the Australian side was Isaac Higgins who plays for Glenlg with Alex Carey in the SA 1st Grade. He is the son of the DLCA spin coach but is a batsman and despite not being at Seb's club, Southerns, he has been mentored by that Club's coach, Carl Hooper. Out for 9 today to a bottom edge.
The lad I'm looking forward to playing most though is Anoop Chima. From Canada, he was educated at Repton School in England 'til he was 16 and actually played in the Bunbury as well as one game for Derbyshire 2s before returning to his homeland to finish his education. Anoop was at the DLCA until December when he joined up with the Canada squad and despite only knowing each other for a matter of a couple of months, Anoop and Seb became good friends. Seb will, of course, be hoping that his mate does well if selected tomorrow against UAE in Canada's first game. Although perhaps not well enough to win the game for Canada on Tuesday - against England.
A photo of Seb and Anoop meeting up with one of the locals (although Annop hardly looks ecstatic to be there!):
By all accounts Billings was quite talkative today. Which is great. We heard him say at one point that the Aussies would be all out for 175 - which backfired a bit. But at least he tried to bring come energy to the side.
By all accounts Billings was quite talkative today. Which is great. We heard him say at one point that the Aussies would be all out for 175 - which backfired a bit. But at least he tried to bring come energy to the side.
Agreed, keepers need to be bubbly/irritating to keep the fielders interested, and annoy the opposition batsmen!
Interesting that the bowling coach, John Lewis, has made a deliberate point about Robinson's fitness. Or lack of it. I don't think it's any secret that he's had numerous scrapes for his liking of partying and I just hope that he's not over indulging now when not playing. Appreciate that he has the odd niggle but Butcher said that he was bowling at 70mph at one point yesterday and when a 40 year old turns up fitter one has to be a bit concerned.
Went for a shower at 2 down,came back 10 minutes later 85-5,diabolical,why was Burns going for quick singles to get run out so early in the innings,you do that when you are chasing runs,this is a shambles ,absolute humiliation.
Comments
We had them on the ropes at 12-3, perhaps should’ve been 12-4, and yet again we let them take control away from us.
Shocking bowling from Mark Wood unfortunately, going at 6.86 runs per over in Test cricket is dreadful. Even Woakes going at 4.16 per over is really disappointing.
Nothing decent backing up the opening combo of Broad & Robinson, who both bowled some exceptional stuff early on, I’m afraid.
Labuschagne, Head heed Championship lessons to tame England in their own conditions
Struggles in seaming conditions in 2021 pay dividends as England let the moment slip
For the West Indies team today against Australia, was Onaje Amory. Now this lad is 6' 5'' and possesses the physique of your typical Caribbean quick who'll come in to bat in the middle order and brutalise the opposition bowling. Except he can't bat. And when I say he can't bat I mean he can't bat. Came in at 11 and just about survived to be the not out batsman at the end of the innings - without scoring. In fact, he's batted six times for the Windies, been out in three of them and has yet to score a single run. Oh and he bowls off spin and he really is quite good at doing that (10-1-29-1 today). Two things to learn from this - as the saying goes, never judge a book by its cover. And a warning to all opposition batsmen (and the Windies keeper) - watch out for his quicker ball because it will be quick and with plenty of bounce too!!!
Playing in the same game was Teague Wyllie. Remember this lad's name. Not hard to do really, This is a guaranteed Test player of the future. Not just because he scored 86* (129) today and guided the Aussies home. More because he came into this competition with an already big reputation. He's 17 now but as a 16 year old, in October 2020, he scored his first ton in 1st Grade cricket - and batted for all 98 overs of the innings in doing so. People there are talking about him being the next Damien Martyn. His 19 year old sister can play too as she plays for both WA and the Perth Scorchers.
Also in the Australian side was Isaac Higgins who plays for Glenlg with Alex Carey in the SA 1st Grade. He is the son of the DLCA spin coach but is a batsman and despite not being at Seb's club, Southerns, he has been mentored by that Club's coach, Carl Hooper. Out for 9 today to a bottom edge.
The lad I'm looking forward to playing most though is Anoop Chima. From Canada, he was educated at Repton School in England 'til he was 16 and actually played in the Bunbury as well as one game for Derbyshire 2s before returning to his homeland to finish his education. Anoop was at the DLCA until December when he joined up with the Canada squad and despite only knowing each other for a matter of a couple of months, Anoop and Seb became good friends. Seb will, of course, be hoping that his mate does well if selected tomorrow against UAE in Canada's first game. Although perhaps not well enough to win the game for Canada on Tuesday - against England.
A photo of Seb and Anoop meeting up with one of the locals (although Annop hardly looks ecstatic to be there!):
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Lyon has hit Wood for 3 sixes
couple wickets for Wood and one for Woakes this morning
Probably a sell as ever
ffs in test cricket
amateurs
burns shafted by Crawley by the looks of it
78-3
Malan 25 (64) c Carey b Cummins
Root 34 (46) lbw b Cummins
Stokes 4 (11) c Lyon b Starc