David Edwards
NormThree Centuries In One Day As Gilchrist Leads The Fireworks
December 16th 2006 13:34
Ashes 3rd Test (Perth) Day 3 Review
Australia are only nine wickets away from reclaiming the Ashes after just 15 months after stellar performances from Hussey, Clarke and especially Gilchrist lead the side to an almost unbeatable lead.
All three batsmen were able to claim centuries, but it was Gilchrist who was able to grab all the attention today as he made the second fastest century in Test history (off 57 balls), and played an aggressive innings to ensure that Australia could declare comfortably on 527 and essentially grab the Ashes within the next two days.
England, who had looked like a new team in the first two days of play, seemed to slip back to their uninspiring selves, but in reality they just sweltered in the heat – as the Perth pitch reached a staggering 50 degrees in the middle of the day – and the fiery batting that Australia were providing in the field.
Whilst Gilchrist will be remembered for notching a fantastic Test century in an unbelievable time, especially as it took 40 balls to reach his half century, their was solid batting also from the mid order with Clarke (135 of 164 balls) and Hussey (103 of 156 balls).
As it will be easy to forget the supporting role both Clarke and Hussey gave for Gilchrist during his record century, their contribution on the pitch will not be easily dismissed. Both were able to contribute solidly whilst Gilchrist were flailing boundaries all around the pitch, and with the three centuries quickly rocking up Australia’s score, there seemed to be no stopping the Australian batting juggernaut.
As the three centurions were able to ensure Australia’s dominance for the next two days at least, their was a commanding supporting position for the remaining top and middle Australian order.
Hayden, who was able to draw a formidable 92 in his fighting innings, and Ponting, who notched up yet another half century contributing 75 to the tally, made headway for the top order.
But a handful of players were able to contribute to the formidable scores. Langer went for a duck in from his first ball, and Symonds was only able to beat 2 runs before Panesar tricked him into a wild shot straight to a Collingwood.
However, it was the batting the entire day, and whilst the bowling was not up the wicket taking frenzy we have come to expect from the first two days.
As England started up their second innings, desperate to solidify their batting to extend the series past the West Coast, started on a horrible stand, losing Strauss before they were able to carve a single run into the tally, going down to a solid lbw appeal from Lee.
But Australia have not won the Ashes yet, and Engalnd have two days to make up history, or to win and lose the Ashes in the shortest timeframe during its prestigious history. Whatever the result, we should see some aggressive fielding from the Australian side, as they adopt and winner takes all mentality, with the Ashes trophy so close to their side.
Until next time, sports minds.
Ashes Third Test (Perth) Scorecard
Australia 1st Innings (224 all out)
England 1st Innings (215 all out)
Australia 2nd Innings (5/527 dec.)
JL Langer (b Hoggard) 0, 1, 0.00
ML Hayden (c Collingwood, b Panesar) 92, 159, 57.86
RT Ponting (c Jones, b Harmison) 75, 128, 58.59
MEK Hussey (c Jones, Panesar) 103, 156, 66.02
MJ Clarke (not out) 135, 164, 82.31
A Symonds (c Collingwood, b Panesar) 2, 6, 33.33
AC Gilchrist (not out) 102, 59, 172.88
Extras 18
Bowling
MJ Hoggard…20, 4, 85, 1, 4.25
A Flintoff…19, 2, 76, 0, 4.00
SJ Harmison…24, 3, 116, 1, 4.83
MS Panesar…34, 3, 145, 3, 4,26
SI Mahmood…10, 0, 59, 0, 5.90 (1 nb, 2 w)
KP Pietersen…5, 1, 31, 0, 6.20
England 2nd Innings (1/19 at stumps)
AJ Strauss (lbw b Lee) 0, 4, 0.00
AN Cook (not out) 7, 22, 31.81
IR Bell (not out) 9, 12, 75.00
Extras 3
Bowling
B Lee…3, 1, 5, 1, 1.66 (1 nb)
GD McGrath…3, 0, 13, 0, 4.33 (1 nb)
England require another 538 runs with 9 wickets remaining, and two days left of play
Australia are only nine wickets away from reclaiming the Ashes after just 15 months after stellar performances from Hussey, Clarke and especially Gilchrist lead the side to an almost unbeatable lead.
All three batsmen were able to claim centuries, but it was Gilchrist who was able to grab all the attention today as he made the second fastest century in Test history (off 57 balls), and played an aggressive innings to ensure that Australia could declare comfortably on 527 and essentially grab the Ashes within the next two days.
England, who had looked like a new team in the first two days of play, seemed to slip back to their uninspiring selves, but in reality they just sweltered in the heat – as the Perth pitch reached a staggering 50 degrees in the middle of the day – and the fiery batting that Australia were providing in the field.
Whilst Gilchrist will be remembered for notching a fantastic Test century in an unbelievable time, especially as it took 40 balls to reach his half century, their was solid batting also from the mid order with Clarke (135 of 164 balls) and Hussey (103 of 156 balls).
As it will be easy to forget the supporting role both Clarke and Hussey gave for Gilchrist during his record century, their contribution on the pitch will not be easily dismissed. Both were able to contribute solidly whilst Gilchrist were flailing boundaries all around the pitch, and with the three centuries quickly rocking up Australia’s score, there seemed to be no stopping the Australian batting juggernaut.
As the three centurions were able to ensure Australia’s dominance for the next two days at least, their was a commanding supporting position for the remaining top and middle Australian order.
Hayden, who was able to draw a formidable 92 in his fighting innings, and Ponting, who notched up yet another half century contributing 75 to the tally, made headway for the top order.
But a handful of players were able to contribute to the formidable scores. Langer went for a duck in from his first ball, and Symonds was only able to beat 2 runs before Panesar tricked him into a wild shot straight to a Collingwood.
However, it was the batting the entire day, and whilst the bowling was not up the wicket taking frenzy we have come to expect from the first two days.
As England started up their second innings, desperate to solidify their batting to extend the series past the West Coast, started on a horrible stand, losing Strauss before they were able to carve a single run into the tally, going down to a solid lbw appeal from Lee.
But Australia have not won the Ashes yet, and Engalnd have two days to make up history, or to win and lose the Ashes in the shortest timeframe during its prestigious history. Whatever the result, we should see some aggressive fielding from the Australian side, as they adopt and winner takes all mentality, with the Ashes trophy so close to their side.
Until next time, sports minds.
Ashes Third Test (Perth) Scorecard
Australia 1st Innings (224 all out)
England 1st Innings (215 all out)
Australia 2nd Innings (5/527 dec.)
JL Langer (b Hoggard) 0, 1, 0.00
ML Hayden (c Collingwood, b Panesar) 92, 159, 57.86
RT Ponting (c Jones, b Harmison) 75, 128, 58.59
MEK Hussey (c Jones, Panesar) 103, 156, 66.02
MJ Clarke (not out) 135, 164, 82.31
A Symonds (c Collingwood, b Panesar) 2, 6, 33.33
AC Gilchrist (not out) 102, 59, 172.88
Extras 18
Bowling
MJ Hoggard…20, 4, 85, 1, 4.25
A Flintoff…19, 2, 76, 0, 4.00
SJ Harmison…24, 3, 116, 1, 4.83
MS Panesar…34, 3, 145, 3, 4,26
SI Mahmood…10, 0, 59, 0, 5.90 (1 nb, 2 w)
KP Pietersen…5, 1, 31, 0, 6.20
England 2nd Innings (1/19 at stumps)
AJ Strauss (lbw b Lee) 0, 4, 0.00
AN Cook (not out) 7, 22, 31.81
IR Bell (not out) 9, 12, 75.00
Extras 3
Bowling
B Lee…3, 1, 5, 1, 1.66 (1 nb)
GD McGrath…3, 0, 13, 0, 4.33 (1 nb)
England require another 538 runs with 9 wickets remaining, and two days left of play
| 61 |
| Vote |
