David EdwardsThe Victory To Australia, But Can We Keep Up the Pressure?
October 22nd 2006 13:03
Well a semi crisis was adverted last night. In the ICC Champions Trophy match against our arch nemesis England, Australia was able to walk away victors by six wickets, and therefore stay in contention for the tournament.
It was a match that was very touch and go all night. England were able to start off strongly, scoring 83 runs in the first 18 overs without losing a wicket. However after that both Bell and Pietersen fell quickly, and the Poms quickly seemed to lose their momentum.
Their next five wickets fell all within 26 runs and 12 overs of each other. Flintoff, Yardy, Dalrymple and Read all left without adding much to the scoreboard, and by the time Collingwood was building up steam the Australian bowlers had finished off the rest of the squad, leaving the Poms stranded in the 45th over, all out for 169.
The most amazing part was how the Australians performed when batting. The openers Gilchrist and Watson went out all guns blazing, quickly scoring 30 runs in less than four overs. However a stoppage of play for a shorted out light tower seemed to effect the Aussie’s concentration, and when they went back on the field they lost that sparkle.
Three wickets fell for less than five runs. Gilchrist, Watson and skipper Ponting all were unable to combat the English bowling, and the Aussies were looking to be on the back foot, 3-34 in only the seventh over.
But surprisingly, it was Martyn and Hussey, two players who are fighting to comfortably keep their spots, that saved the nation’s pride. These two were able to combat the English pace and swing, and with a 118 run partnership they were able to coast the Aussies to victory. Martyn eventually was bailed out, but Symonds was able to wrap up the remaining runs in less than two overs for the two points, and the chance for Australia to stay in the competition.
What is most worrying about this is not how they will go now, but rather what is in hold for us during the Ashes test? First of all our opening batsmen have been average to say the least, and even though I hate to say it, but Gilchrist is one player who hasn’t given us a decent run since the last Ashes tournament. Same with our bowlers, with them not being able to get through the opening England pair for over 80 runs, whilst it took them only four overs to get that important first wicket.
I will put this down to me worrying about what is in store for our side, and yes I realise that I am indeed jumping the gun on what will happen come November. So I will say congratulations to our one-day squad, and hope that we can look a little bit more convincing against our next opponent, home town squad and tournament favourite India, who will pick us off easily if we are not at our ultimate best.
Until next time sports minds.
It was a match that was very touch and go all night. England were able to start off strongly, scoring 83 runs in the first 18 overs without losing a wicket. However after that both Bell and Pietersen fell quickly, and the Poms quickly seemed to lose their momentum.
Their next five wickets fell all within 26 runs and 12 overs of each other. Flintoff, Yardy, Dalrymple and Read all left without adding much to the scoreboard, and by the time Collingwood was building up steam the Australian bowlers had finished off the rest of the squad, leaving the Poms stranded in the 45th over, all out for 169.
The most amazing part was how the Australians performed when batting. The openers Gilchrist and Watson went out all guns blazing, quickly scoring 30 runs in less than four overs. However a stoppage of play for a shorted out light tower seemed to effect the Aussie’s concentration, and when they went back on the field they lost that sparkle.
Three wickets fell for less than five runs. Gilchrist, Watson and skipper Ponting all were unable to combat the English bowling, and the Aussies were looking to be on the back foot, 3-34 in only the seventh over.
But surprisingly, it was Martyn and Hussey, two players who are fighting to comfortably keep their spots, that saved the nation’s pride. These two were able to combat the English pace and swing, and with a 118 run partnership they were able to coast the Aussies to victory. Martyn eventually was bailed out, but Symonds was able to wrap up the remaining runs in less than two overs for the two points, and the chance for Australia to stay in the competition.
What is most worrying about this is not how they will go now, but rather what is in hold for us during the Ashes test? First of all our opening batsmen have been average to say the least, and even though I hate to say it, but Gilchrist is one player who hasn’t given us a decent run since the last Ashes tournament. Same with our bowlers, with them not being able to get through the opening England pair for over 80 runs, whilst it took them only four overs to get that important first wicket.
I will put this down to me worrying about what is in store for our side, and yes I realise that I am indeed jumping the gun on what will happen come November. So I will say congratulations to our one-day squad, and hope that we can look a little bit more convincing against our next opponent, home town squad and tournament favourite India, who will pick us off easily if we are not at our ultimate best.
Until next time sports minds.
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