2nd test DAY FIVE REPORT

(Karthik Narayan)

Day 5 would determine quite a bit on this series – there were only two possible results in the match – Australian win and a draw. Considering the nature of the Aussies and their determination to win and have nothing else, the match would have special moments today.

And it did hold good – Strauss fell to Warne, a neat catch to the short leg fieldsman. Even though the dismissal was something any umpire would scratch his head for (after he sees the replay, that is), Steve Bucknor seemed happy enough to give the wicket to Warne. This triggered a mini-collapse of sorts – Pietersen got a great delivery – something pitching just on leg stump and turning a mile to clip the off stump. Classic leg spinner to get rid of a dangerous batsman – Warney boy was on fire.

70/3 became 73/4 when Lee got into the action with his “haiyaa” kind of bowling – the faster shorter variety – Flintoff’s lash at it only caught the outside edge and straight to Gilly who was waiting in the wings behind for such catches.

Jones scored 10 before throwing his bat at a wide one – unwise; and Giles didn’t trouble the scorers – Warne again the destroyer.

At 94/6, this match was far from a draw! Australia had strung the bow for the challenge – now it was upto England to save their necks and their hands on the Ashes!

Wickets soon tumbled – Warne doing his tricks, supported ably by Lee. The Englishmen were vanquished at 129, leaving Australia 168 to win with just over 3 runs to the over (run rate required).

Even though they were jolted with some early wickets, the Aussies went about their batting rather clinically – Ponting and Hussey, once again came to the party. Aussies finished with 6 wickets in hand and a 2-0 lead in the 5 match series.

The surprising factor in the Aussie first innings was their run rate was rather low, compared to their standards. This time around, they had a run rate of 5.11, as good as an ODI!

Overall, a fascinating test match, with lots of action. What seemed to be a draw was forced into a result by those awesome Aussies! Kudos to them.

At the presentation, this said it all:

Flintoff: "We played a lot of good cricket apart from an hour today. I was pleased with the side we went into this match with. I'm not in a great mood at the moment. We've got to bounce back."

Ponting: "We've worked exceptionally hard. To turn it round today was an amazing effort. We've just shown how good a team we are and we've answered all the critics."

There was no doubt about the man of the match – Ricky Ponting.

Match scores:

Eng 1st Inns – 551/6 decl

Aus 1st Inns – 513 all out

Eng 2nd Inns – 129 all out

Aus 2nd Inns – 168/4
Hussey 61* (off just 66 balls)

Result: Aus won by 6 wickets.