the ASHES 4TH TEST - DAY THREE REPORT

(Karthik Narayan)

A big lead was in the offing and England as usual were in for a thrashing, that is, like I mentioned a big time miracle of rain, or a magnificent display of sterling stubborn batting.

Anyway, this test isn’t going to be any different – the result didn’t matter, England were already demolished and had little to say. Not can they hope to salvage an Aussie collapse, or a rain miracle, the latter being more likely.

England bowled out Australia for 419. Warne made a beautiful 40* off 54 balls and once again proved his mettle with the bat. Why this man wasn’t able to get a test century is anybody’s guess. He still remains with his record of most runs in tests without a century. A record un-enviable…

Batting in their second innings, England had a lead to cut down and if possible, make Australia bat again. That demanded they be good to themselves and settle down for a big innings. Their batsmen had ideas of going back to the hotel and relaxing in the sun, I guess, because Clark prised Cook’s off stump, Bell saw a finger rise from down below in the slow pace that Umpire Rudi has shown us all his career out there, Pietersen let Clark pick up his off stump with a stunning delivery and Paul Collingwood let Brett Lee sing a “bye bye bye” ala N’Sync back to the pavilion. England were cruising – cruising back to their hotel rooms – 75/4.

Lee had more songs to sing – this time to Strauss (who by now is getting more famous being the “No.700 man”). Signaled 90/5 for England and plenty to think about for the future.

Flintoff hung around for a 45 ball 25. Umpire Rudi saw Clark (bowling with nip, pace and guile), Flintoff missed the ball, ball hit pads. That was good enough. “Out, ye go mate”.

Warne felt left out of the action all this time, because the faster bowlers were operating. It wasn’t until the 30th over that Ponting even met eyes with this great bowler! By that time, most of the work had been done. But knowing Warney, you would see the hunger in his eyes and the magic between his fingers.

Sajid Mahmood got a ripper of a flipper, Warne was up and at ‘em!! England were staring at a 4-0 and this test was still in the 3rd day!

"Oh mighty sun, make way for thy clouds to gather and assemble for one holy breakthrough to save this English team!!" prayers, prayers...

Nothing worked, England crashed hard – Warne added two more to his name. He now has 999 international wickets. Clark was the hero of the day. The Ball had done all the damage in this test, the bat doing nothing much beyond that stiff partnership between Hayden and Symonds.

Brett Lee completed the English tail and ended up with best figures against England – 4/51.

Australia won by an innings and 99 runs within three days. This whole series has become salt-less and sugar-less for the Englishmen.