The "Pad First" View of the Second Ashes Test
kirby July 21, 2009
After England managed to salvage a draw in the First Test at Cardiff, the two sides trekked to London and the hallowed turf of Lord's, a place where England haven't won since 1934.
Match Summary:
England's leadup to the Lord's Test match centred around two things: the "momentum" they gained from salvaging a draw at Cardiff (I don't know either) and the pending retirement of Andrew Flintoff. On the eve of the Test, Flintoff called a press conference in which he announced his retirement from Test cricket at the end of the Ashes series, a big blow for the English. The big Lancastrian was still named as fit in the side for Lord's after an injury scare, but didn't have a whole lot to do on the first day after Alistair Cook and skipper Andrew Strauss piled on the runs. Cook was dismissed by Mitchell Johnson for 95 after a horror Day 1 for the Queensland/West Australian quick where he conceded more than 100 at nearly 6 an over. Johnson's wasn't the only painful morning with regards to the Australian camp; Nathan Hauritz was taken to hospital with a dislocated finger after grassing a powerfully struck return drive from Strauss. But after Cook was dismissed with the score on 196, the Australians mounted a fightback; Ben Hilfenhaus dismissed Ravi Bopara (18) and Flintoff (4), Peter Siddle dismissed danger-man Kevin Pietersen, Michael Clarke drew a false stroke from 1st Test hero Paul Collingwood, and Johnson added to the scalp of Cook with that of Matt Prior with the first hint of inswing to the right-handers we've seen from him all tour.
Strauss' dismissal on the start of Day 2 sparked a mini-collapse for the English tail. The skipper pulled a "Pietersen" and gave a Hilfenhaus delivery an unopposed path to the stumps, Swann snicked Siddle to Ponting at second slip, and Broad dragged Hilfenhaus onto his stumps. But a vital 47 run partnership between Jimmy Anderson and Graeme Onions dragged the England total to 425 and gave the home side a bit of momentum as the Australians commenced their first innings. This momentum was used to good effect, with Anderson getting Hughes to glove one down leg side before getting a stroke of fortune in dismissing Ricky Ponting. Ponting was given out caught after umpire Rudi Koertzen deemed he hit the ball onto his pad. The replays did not support the umpire's view. Despite the best efforts of Simon Katich (48) and Michael Hussey (51) in a 93-run partnership, the Australians captitulated to be bowled out for 215. The only other resistance in the Australian batting lineup was a 44 run partnership between Nathan Hauritz (24) and Peter Siddle (35), as Jimmy Anderson took 4 wickets, Graham Onions 3, Broad 2, and Flintoff 1.
Despite having dismissed the Australians for more than 200 adrift of the English first innings, captain Andrew Strauss decided to not enforce the follow-on, and instead allowed his charges to pile on a massive second innings lead. Despite only Collingwood (54) and Prior (61 off 42 balls) passing 50 in their Day 3 total of 6/311, all English players got starts, with Ravi Bopara's 27 being the lowest score. It must be said that the Australians bowled and fielded poorly. All bowlers were expensive, even Hauritz (3 wickets) and Siddle (2 wickets), and a crucial dropped catch off the edge of Ravi Bopara helped to highlight Australia's woes. Flintoff was left not-out on 30 off 27 deliveries before the rain came to finish Day 3. After a brief rain delay early on the penultimate day, Andrew Strauss surprisingly declared at the overnight score of 6/311, leaving the Australians two days to score 522 in what would have been the highest successful run chase in Test history. I say it was surprising because the Lord's wicket was still very flat, and 2 days is a long time to score 522, going at less than 3 an over.
The English made early but controversial inroads into Australia's second innings; Simon Katich (6) was caught in the gully off what was later shown to be a blatant no-ball by overstepping, and Phillip Hughes (17) was caught off a bump-ball. Flintoff was the beneficiary in both instances. Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey put on 44 until Ponting (38) chopped a Stuart Broad delivery onto his stumps, moments after the lunch interval. Hussey and Michael Clarke then put on 42 until the left-hander was given out caught when he clearly didn't hit the ball. Marcus North then played all around a Graeme Swann delivery, leaving the tourists languishing at 5/128. Clarke and keeper Brad Haddin then played the rearguard innings of their lives, allowing their side to close play at 5/313, a partnership that set up a tense and promising final day. In the process, Clarke scored his maiden hundred in England, one of the best seen at the historic Lord's ground. But unfortunately Clarke's innings was not enough to save the Australians. Haddin was the first of three Andrew Flintoff victims on the final day, caught in the slips in only the second over without an addition to the overnight score. Clarke followed soon after, dismissed by Swann for 136. Only a typically cavalier innings by Mitchell Johnson (63) gave the Australians any hope of a run chase, but he became Swann's fourth and final victim as they were bowled out for 406, losing to England at Lord's for the first time since 1934.
Player Ratings:
Australia:
- Ricky Ponting (c): 5
2 & 38. The Aussie skipper got a really, really dodgy one in the first innings, getting "caught" in slips. Played a decent innings in the second, but got out at a really bad time when he dragged a Stuart Broad delivery onto his stumps.
- Simon Katich: 6
48 & 6. Shared a vital partnership with Mike Hussey in the first innings that at least got the Australians past the 200 mark in the first innings, before becoming one of 4 Australians dismissed hooking. Edged one to gully in the second innings off what was later shown to be a no-ball by Flintoff. Still the real backbone of the Australian order; when he goes, everyone else looks vulnerable.
- Phillip Hughes: 3
4 & 17. His results in this Ashes series are a stark contrast to his well-documented County stint earlier this year; Hughes has never totally looked comfortable. Unlucky to glove one down the leg side in the first innings, and got a real dodgy one in the second. Contrast that decision to the catch Nathan Hauritz claimed off Ravi Bopara mid-Day 3.
- Michael Hussey: 7
51 & 27. A really gutsy innings from the West Australian in the first innings was his first glimpse of good form for a while, until he left a straight one off Flintoff. Was another who copped a poor decision in the second innings, getting out caught at slip when the ball clearly spun out of the footmarks.
- Michael Clarke: 8.5
1/12 off 4, 1 & 136. Brilliant hundred in the second innings after a first dig failure. Still wasn't able to save Australia.
- Marcus North: 2
0 & 6. Will either get a hundred or next to nothing when he puts on the baggy green. Seeing as he made a ton at Cardiff, was due for a failure. Was one of 4 who got out hooking in the first innings, before misreading a Graeme Swann straightbreak in the second.
- Brad Haddin: 6.5
1 catch, 28 & 2 catches, 80. Another quiet match with the gloves for Haddin, but he came within a whisker of becoming the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a Test century at Lord's. Let through 31 byes in the match compared to Prior's 9.
- Mitchell Johnson: 2
3/132 off 21.4, 4 & 0/68 off 17, 63. Must be dropped. Bowled rubbish in the first innings and rubbish in the second innings. It seems to be a problem with his action that is causing great inaccuracy.
- Nathan Hauritz: 7
0/26 off 8.3, 24 & 3/80 off 16, 1. Continues to surprise with his abilities at Test level. Understandably didn't get a great deal of bowling in the first innings with a dislocated finger, but bowled really well in the second, taking three good wickets in classic fashion.
- Peter Siddle: 6.5
2/76 off 20, 35 & 2/64 off 15.2, 7. Still yet to find his feet in English conditions, but Siddle is usually accurate, always ready to bowl if the skipper wishes so, and has certainly not disgraced himself in this series so far. Has a good knack of snaring crucial wickets at crucial times.
- Ben Hilfenhaus: 7
4/103 off 31, 6* & 0/59 off 19, 4*. Still the best bowler on both sides so far. Bowls at decent pace with good control, and can swing the ball. The four wicket haul in the first innings was a definite highlight.
England:
- Andrew Strauss (c): 9
161 & 32. In England's first innings, Strauss did what Ponting did at Cardiff: lead from the front with a fantastic innings to put his team in a good position to win the Test match. Unfortunately couldn't capitalise on a big lead in the second, getting dismissed by Nathan Hauritz. Almost made the world's worst captaincy blunder leaving Australia 2 days to get 522, but used his bowlers and fielders cleverly.
- Alistair Cook: 8
95 & 32. Patient first innings in that big partnership with his opening partner, where he made 95, falling LBW to Johnson. Got a start in the second innings before falling in exactly the same fashion as the first innings, but to Hauritz. The Australians seem to have exposed a weakness in Alistair Cook's technique, despite that first innings 95; 3 times in 4 innings have they dismissed him LBW playing across the line on the back foot.
- Ravi Bopara: 5
18 & 27. Flayed a couple around in the first innings before falling LBW to Hilfenhaus again. Then bizarrely went into his shell in the second innings; his 27 coming off 93 deliveries despite England leading by more than 250. Definitely looks confused about his role at number 3, and seems out of his depth. A lot of hype and no results.
- Kevin Pietersen: 5.5
32 & 44. Loves inventing new ways of getting himself out after making starts. Dismissed by Peter Siddle twice in the match, once hooking and the other with an inside edge to the keeper. Like Bopara, for some reason curbed his attacking instincts in the second innings despite England's commanding lead; his 44 came off 101 deliveries.
- Paul Collingwood: 7.5
16 & 54. Scored his third half-century in four innings before being snicked off by Peter Siddle going for quick runs. Got too excited against Michael Clarke's donkey drops in the first, spooning a catch to mid-on. Without a doubt the backbone of the England innings.
- Matt Prior: 6.5
8, 1 catch & 61. Got a good one in the first dig before going on the attack in the second, scoring his 61 off 42 balls. Seems to be the man of the moment when looking for quick runs, but when commonsense and composure are called for, Prior goes missing. Is still a batsman who can keep rather than a wicketkeeper who can bat.
- Andrew Flintoff: 9
4, 1/27 off 12 & 30*, 5/92 off 27. Supreme performance from the English all-rounder. And that's high praise coming from me seeing as I don't rate him. Scored some useful late-order runs in the first innings and took a brilliant 5 wicket haul in the second.
- Stuart Broad: 3
16, 2/78 off 18 & 1/49 off 16. Bowls way too short to be any threat in the series. His only wicket not from a bouncer in the series so far was Ponting chopping on a four-ball in the second innings.
- Graeme Swann: 6
4, 0/4 off 1 & 4/87 off 28. Despite getting 4-for in the second innings, still doesn't look threatening. Australia didn't bat long enough for him to get a bowl in the first dig, but was very fortunate to get Hussey and Clarke in the second innings. Very overrated.
- Jimmy Anderson: 7
29, 4/55 off 21 & 0/86 off 21. After scoring some handy runs in the first innings, Anderson was the bowler who set the stage for an Australian first innings collapse, dismissing 4 of the top 6 batsmen. Bowls with good pace and swing, but wasn't able to keep his control up in the second innings.
- Graham Onions: 6
17*, 3/41 off 11 & 0/50 off 9. The jury's still out on Onions. Bowls a good length but can get a bit too wide at times and payed the price in both innings.
Pad First's Man of the Match: For me to give the man of the match award to Andrew Flintoff, he must have done something amazing. Match figures of 6/119 off 39 are pretty damn good, and a useful 30* in the second innings really set up a win for the English side. In contrast to other times in his career, I got the sense something could happen every time he bowled in the second innings, and the Australians obliged. Good match from a player in his last Test series.
Interesting Fact: It's been well documented that England hadn't beaten Australia at Lord's since 1934. But in the most recent Test where they did beat them, England won by an innings and 38 runs, thanks to centuries from Maurice Leyland and Les Ames, and a haul of 15/104 from 58.3 overs by the great left-arm spinner Hedley Verity.
One Final Comment: Mitchell Johnson has to be dropped for the next Test. Brett Lee is due back from injury, and after his performances in the tour matches, it's not a case of if he will play, but who he will replace. All the Australian bowlers besides Johnson have showed promise; Siddle has been very good in certain spells and takes crucial wickets, Hauritz has really surprised many with the wickets he's taken, while Hilfenhaus has been the best bowler on either side so far. That leaves Johnson. Even though he took 3 English wickets in their first innings, he bowled rubbish and went for more than a run a ball. At Test match level, that is inexcusable. It's a stark contrast to what he did in South Africa. He should be given the rest of the Test series off to tighten up his action with bowling coach Troy Cooley in the hopes that he finds more control with his deliveries. It's disappointing considering the hype surrounding him going into the series, but if he plays at Birmingham, the Australians may as well concede the series.
Match Summary:
England's leadup to the Lord's Test match centred around two things: the "momentum" they gained from salvaging a draw at Cardiff (I don't know either) and the pending retirement of Andrew Flintoff. On the eve of the Test, Flintoff called a press conference in which he announced his retirement from Test cricket at the end of the Ashes series, a big blow for the English. The big Lancastrian was still named as fit in the side for Lord's after an injury scare, but didn't have a whole lot to do on the first day after Alistair Cook and skipper Andrew Strauss piled on the runs. Cook was dismissed by Mitchell Johnson for 95 after a horror Day 1 for the Queensland/West Australian quick where he conceded more than 100 at nearly 6 an over. Johnson's wasn't the only painful morning with regards to the Australian camp; Nathan Hauritz was taken to hospital with a dislocated finger after grassing a powerfully struck return drive from Strauss. But after Cook was dismissed with the score on 196, the Australians mounted a fightback; Ben Hilfenhaus dismissed Ravi Bopara (18) and Flintoff (4), Peter Siddle dismissed danger-man Kevin Pietersen, Michael Clarke drew a false stroke from 1st Test hero Paul Collingwood, and Johnson added to the scalp of Cook with that of Matt Prior with the first hint of inswing to the right-handers we've seen from him all tour.
Strauss' dismissal on the start of Day 2 sparked a mini-collapse for the English tail. The skipper pulled a "Pietersen" and gave a Hilfenhaus delivery an unopposed path to the stumps, Swann snicked Siddle to Ponting at second slip, and Broad dragged Hilfenhaus onto his stumps. But a vital 47 run partnership between Jimmy Anderson and Graeme Onions dragged the England total to 425 and gave the home side a bit of momentum as the Australians commenced their first innings. This momentum was used to good effect, with Anderson getting Hughes to glove one down leg side before getting a stroke of fortune in dismissing Ricky Ponting. Ponting was given out caught after umpire Rudi Koertzen deemed he hit the ball onto his pad. The replays did not support the umpire's view. Despite the best efforts of Simon Katich (48) and Michael Hussey (51) in a 93-run partnership, the Australians captitulated to be bowled out for 215. The only other resistance in the Australian batting lineup was a 44 run partnership between Nathan Hauritz (24) and Peter Siddle (35), as Jimmy Anderson took 4 wickets, Graham Onions 3, Broad 2, and Flintoff 1.
Despite having dismissed the Australians for more than 200 adrift of the English first innings, captain Andrew Strauss decided to not enforce the follow-on, and instead allowed his charges to pile on a massive second innings lead. Despite only Collingwood (54) and Prior (61 off 42 balls) passing 50 in their Day 3 total of 6/311, all English players got starts, with Ravi Bopara's 27 being the lowest score. It must be said that the Australians bowled and fielded poorly. All bowlers were expensive, even Hauritz (3 wickets) and Siddle (2 wickets), and a crucial dropped catch off the edge of Ravi Bopara helped to highlight Australia's woes. Flintoff was left not-out on 30 off 27 deliveries before the rain came to finish Day 3. After a brief rain delay early on the penultimate day, Andrew Strauss surprisingly declared at the overnight score of 6/311, leaving the Australians two days to score 522 in what would have been the highest successful run chase in Test history. I say it was surprising because the Lord's wicket was still very flat, and 2 days is a long time to score 522, going at less than 3 an over.
The English made early but controversial inroads into Australia's second innings; Simon Katich (6) was caught in the gully off what was later shown to be a blatant no-ball by overstepping, and Phillip Hughes (17) was caught off a bump-ball. Flintoff was the beneficiary in both instances. Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey put on 44 until Ponting (38) chopped a Stuart Broad delivery onto his stumps, moments after the lunch interval. Hussey and Michael Clarke then put on 42 until the left-hander was given out caught when he clearly didn't hit the ball. Marcus North then played all around a Graeme Swann delivery, leaving the tourists languishing at 5/128. Clarke and keeper Brad Haddin then played the rearguard innings of their lives, allowing their side to close play at 5/313, a partnership that set up a tense and promising final day. In the process, Clarke scored his maiden hundred in England, one of the best seen at the historic Lord's ground. But unfortunately Clarke's innings was not enough to save the Australians. Haddin was the first of three Andrew Flintoff victims on the final day, caught in the slips in only the second over without an addition to the overnight score. Clarke followed soon after, dismissed by Swann for 136. Only a typically cavalier innings by Mitchell Johnson (63) gave the Australians any hope of a run chase, but he became Swann's fourth and final victim as they were bowled out for 406, losing to England at Lord's for the first time since 1934.
Player Ratings:
Australia:
- Ricky Ponting (c): 5
2 & 38. The Aussie skipper got a really, really dodgy one in the first innings, getting "caught" in slips. Played a decent innings in the second, but got out at a really bad time when he dragged a Stuart Broad delivery onto his stumps.
- Simon Katich: 6
48 & 6. Shared a vital partnership with Mike Hussey in the first innings that at least got the Australians past the 200 mark in the first innings, before becoming one of 4 Australians dismissed hooking. Edged one to gully in the second innings off what was later shown to be a no-ball by Flintoff. Still the real backbone of the Australian order; when he goes, everyone else looks vulnerable.
- Phillip Hughes: 3
4 & 17. His results in this Ashes series are a stark contrast to his well-documented County stint earlier this year; Hughes has never totally looked comfortable. Unlucky to glove one down the leg side in the first innings, and got a real dodgy one in the second. Contrast that decision to the catch Nathan Hauritz claimed off Ravi Bopara mid-Day 3.
- Michael Hussey: 7
51 & 27. A really gutsy innings from the West Australian in the first innings was his first glimpse of good form for a while, until he left a straight one off Flintoff. Was another who copped a poor decision in the second innings, getting out caught at slip when the ball clearly spun out of the footmarks.
- Michael Clarke: 8.5
1/12 off 4, 1 & 136. Brilliant hundred in the second innings after a first dig failure. Still wasn't able to save Australia.
- Marcus North: 2
0 & 6. Will either get a hundred or next to nothing when he puts on the baggy green. Seeing as he made a ton at Cardiff, was due for a failure. Was one of 4 who got out hooking in the first innings, before misreading a Graeme Swann straightbreak in the second.
- Brad Haddin: 6.5
1 catch, 28 & 2 catches, 80. Another quiet match with the gloves for Haddin, but he came within a whisker of becoming the first Australian wicketkeeper to score a Test century at Lord's. Let through 31 byes in the match compared to Prior's 9.
- Mitchell Johnson: 2
3/132 off 21.4, 4 & 0/68 off 17, 63. Must be dropped. Bowled rubbish in the first innings and rubbish in the second innings. It seems to be a problem with his action that is causing great inaccuracy.
- Nathan Hauritz: 7
0/26 off 8.3, 24 & 3/80 off 16, 1. Continues to surprise with his abilities at Test level. Understandably didn't get a great deal of bowling in the first innings with a dislocated finger, but bowled really well in the second, taking three good wickets in classic fashion.
- Peter Siddle: 6.5
2/76 off 20, 35 & 2/64 off 15.2, 7. Still yet to find his feet in English conditions, but Siddle is usually accurate, always ready to bowl if the skipper wishes so, and has certainly not disgraced himself in this series so far. Has a good knack of snaring crucial wickets at crucial times.
- Ben Hilfenhaus: 7
4/103 off 31, 6* & 0/59 off 19, 4*. Still the best bowler on both sides so far. Bowls at decent pace with good control, and can swing the ball. The four wicket haul in the first innings was a definite highlight.
England:
- Andrew Strauss (c): 9
161 & 32. In England's first innings, Strauss did what Ponting did at Cardiff: lead from the front with a fantastic innings to put his team in a good position to win the Test match. Unfortunately couldn't capitalise on a big lead in the second, getting dismissed by Nathan Hauritz. Almost made the world's worst captaincy blunder leaving Australia 2 days to get 522, but used his bowlers and fielders cleverly.
- Alistair Cook: 8
95 & 32. Patient first innings in that big partnership with his opening partner, where he made 95, falling LBW to Johnson. Got a start in the second innings before falling in exactly the same fashion as the first innings, but to Hauritz. The Australians seem to have exposed a weakness in Alistair Cook's technique, despite that first innings 95; 3 times in 4 innings have they dismissed him LBW playing across the line on the back foot.
- Ravi Bopara: 5
18 & 27. Flayed a couple around in the first innings before falling LBW to Hilfenhaus again. Then bizarrely went into his shell in the second innings; his 27 coming off 93 deliveries despite England leading by more than 250. Definitely looks confused about his role at number 3, and seems out of his depth. A lot of hype and no results.
- Kevin Pietersen: 5.5
32 & 44. Loves inventing new ways of getting himself out after making starts. Dismissed by Peter Siddle twice in the match, once hooking and the other with an inside edge to the keeper. Like Bopara, for some reason curbed his attacking instincts in the second innings despite England's commanding lead; his 44 came off 101 deliveries.
- Paul Collingwood: 7.5
16 & 54. Scored his third half-century in four innings before being snicked off by Peter Siddle going for quick runs. Got too excited against Michael Clarke's donkey drops in the first, spooning a catch to mid-on. Without a doubt the backbone of the England innings.
- Matt Prior: 6.5
8, 1 catch & 61. Got a good one in the first dig before going on the attack in the second, scoring his 61 off 42 balls. Seems to be the man of the moment when looking for quick runs, but when commonsense and composure are called for, Prior goes missing. Is still a batsman who can keep rather than a wicketkeeper who can bat.
- Andrew Flintoff: 9
4, 1/27 off 12 & 30*, 5/92 off 27. Supreme performance from the English all-rounder. And that's high praise coming from me seeing as I don't rate him. Scored some useful late-order runs in the first innings and took a brilliant 5 wicket haul in the second.
- Stuart Broad: 3
16, 2/78 off 18 & 1/49 off 16. Bowls way too short to be any threat in the series. His only wicket not from a bouncer in the series so far was Ponting chopping on a four-ball in the second innings.
- Graeme Swann: 6
4, 0/4 off 1 & 4/87 off 28. Despite getting 4-for in the second innings, still doesn't look threatening. Australia didn't bat long enough for him to get a bowl in the first dig, but was very fortunate to get Hussey and Clarke in the second innings. Very overrated.
- Jimmy Anderson: 7
29, 4/55 off 21 & 0/86 off 21. After scoring some handy runs in the first innings, Anderson was the bowler who set the stage for an Australian first innings collapse, dismissing 4 of the top 6 batsmen. Bowls with good pace and swing, but wasn't able to keep his control up in the second innings.
- Graham Onions: 6
17*, 3/41 off 11 & 0/50 off 9. The jury's still out on Onions. Bowls a good length but can get a bit too wide at times and payed the price in both innings.
Pad First's Man of the Match: For me to give the man of the match award to Andrew Flintoff, he must have done something amazing. Match figures of 6/119 off 39 are pretty damn good, and a useful 30* in the second innings really set up a win for the English side. In contrast to other times in his career, I got the sense something could happen every time he bowled in the second innings, and the Australians obliged. Good match from a player in his last Test series.
Interesting Fact: It's been well documented that England hadn't beaten Australia at Lord's since 1934. But in the most recent Test where they did beat them, England won by an innings and 38 runs, thanks to centuries from Maurice Leyland and Les Ames, and a haul of 15/104 from 58.3 overs by the great left-arm spinner Hedley Verity.
One Final Comment: Mitchell Johnson has to be dropped for the next Test. Brett Lee is due back from injury, and after his performances in the tour matches, it's not a case of if he will play, but who he will replace. All the Australian bowlers besides Johnson have showed promise; Siddle has been very good in certain spells and takes crucial wickets, Hauritz has really surprised many with the wickets he's taken, while Hilfenhaus has been the best bowler on either side so far. That leaves Johnson. Even though he took 3 English wickets in their first innings, he bowled rubbish and went for more than a run a ball. At Test match level, that is inexcusable. It's a stark contrast to what he did in South Africa. He should be given the rest of the Test series off to tighten up his action with bowling coach Troy Cooley in the hopes that he finds more control with his deliveries. It's disappointing considering the hype surrounding him going into the series, but if he plays at Birmingham, the Australians may as well concede the series.
