[Cricket] World Test XI

[Gwylan]

That was some good batting in the final session by Bradman and Smith - only the second session in the match where no wicket has fallen.
Both of them reined in their attacking instincts, knowing that one of them needed to score big.

There wasn't much in the pitch for any of the bowlers: Barnes was the pick of them and Botham got some reverse swing. England are desperately missing a spinner here and will be mindful of the fact that Australia have Warne to bowl on a wearing wicket. They don't want to be chasing more than 250 on this.

 

[jakarta]

Well it could be worse, we'll have bowlers coming in fresh in the morning and hopefully a bit of cloud cover.

Get this pair out swiftly and they are going to be in trouble. On the other hand...

Hardly needs to be stated that it has been a great Test Match so far.

 

[Gwylan]

I should give advance warning that tomorrow is my daughter's birthday so coverage will be a bit disrupted. In the old days, she'd up at 6.00 and we could get on with the rest of the day but now she's 17, we'll still be at breakfast when play starts.

I bet Richie Benaud didn't have to cope with that ...

 

[LlcoolJ]

That was some good batting in the final session by Bradman and Smith - only the second session in the match where no wicket has fallen.
Both of them reined in their attacking instincts, knowing that one of them needed to score big.

There wasn't much in the pitch for any of the bowlers: Barnes was the pick of them and Botham got some reverse swing. England are desperately missing a spinner here and will be mindful of the fact that Australia have Warne to bowl on a wearing wicket. They don't want to be chasing more than 250 on this.

I've said this since the start. Not picking Swanny was a ridiculous decision by the NSC. The lad can bat as well. Not having a frontline spinner may well cost us dearly.

If we didn't want to reduce the batting lineup too much then surely KP or "Golden arm" Root should have been picked.

The game is finely poised but I'm unimpressed with the selectors.

 

[jakarta]

Morning Richie, morning everyone, crucial day I reckon. Got to get the Don early doors.

 

[Gwylan]

England must have been hoping for some cloud cover this morning but the sky’s a rich azure and it looks a pretty decent batting track. There are some signs of wear but, as England didn’t pick a spinner, I’m not sure that’s going to do them much good.
Bradman and Smith batted very sensibly last night and will try to push on tomorrow. England’s best chance is to keep things tight for 15 overs and then turn to the new ball.

 

[Gwylan]

We’re on our way and it looks like Anderson – who was bit under-bowled yesterday will get us started. He’s bowling to Bradman who looks completely unflustered blocking two balls and letting four others alone – Anderson’s radar not working there.
Botham is on at the other end and he beats Smith straight away – not a good shot that, hitting slightly across the line. And that’s a decent yorker that Smith does well to keep out. He picks up one down to long leg and Australia are on the way.
204-2 (Bradman 77 Smith 47) Overs 67

 

[jakarta]

Keep calm everyone...

 

[Gwylan]

They’re still playing themselves in this morning and there’s no urgency about anything. Smith has pushed a couple of singles, there’s been a leg bye and Bradman has scored a two and one – but there are no concerns for the batsmen.
210-2 (Bradman 80 Smith 49) Overs 71
First bowling change of the day: I suspect we’re going to see Anderson take the new ball in a while so that was a short and sweet spell. Barnes, who’s been the pick of England bowlers so far has taken his place. And that’s not a good ball, it’s a long half-volley first off, hammered through mid-off to give Smith his 50. He then whips another to wide mid-on for a single.
It’s Botham who continues from the other end: Smith runs it down to third-man for one. Bradman plays out the rest of the over but smacks the last ball for four after a glorious back-foot off drive.
Barnes is more accurate with his next over and Smith plays out a maiden.
It looks like Botham is going to deliver a maiden too but Bradman flicks the last ball through mid-wicket for two.
It’s 222-2 (Richie would be delighted). Bradman on 86 and Smith on 55 Overs 75

 

[LlcoolJ]

It’s 222-2 (Richie would be delighted). Bradman on 86 and Smith on 55 Overs 75

I must admit that I was half hoping for that scoreline once they got to 204/2.

God bless Richie.

 

[jakarta]

Can't allow the Don to get a Century as he will no doubt then go and get a second one.

 

[Gwylan]

Australia put their feet on the pedal for the next few overs, particularly Smith who hits Barnes for successive fours. He misjudges the next ball however and is rapped on the pad. Barnes pleas for the decision but it’s no go from umpire Bowden and Smith runs it to third man for a single. Barnes looks like he wants to review it but they have no more reviews left. DRS confirms that it was hitting though, that’s a let off for the Aussie
242-2 (Bradman 94 Smith 67) Overs 80

Anderson’s back and immediately has Smith jumping around, beating him twice with successive balls. It’s a maiden to start with and that’s some control back.
And that’s more from Tate who’s bang on with the new ball. A bit of bounce beats Bradman, he flicks the last ball to long leg for a single
244-2 (Bradman 95 Smith 67) Overs 82

 

[Gwylan]

Anderson is pushed to wide mid-on for another single and that’s the 150 partnership between these two. They’ve given Australia something to bowl at now.
Smith strikes the last ball of the over for two.
Tate bowls another maiden to Bradman and then both Smith and Bradman score singles of Anderson’s next.

249-2 (Bradman 97 Smith 70) Overs 85

 

[Gwylan]

HUNDRED for Bradman. Tate is right on the money for the first four balls but the fifth is a fraction short, it’s crashed away to the point boundary and that’s Bradman’s ton. It’s a lot slower than he usually scores but it’s been an invaluable innings.

253-2 (Bradman 101 Smith 70) Overs 86

 

[Gwylan]

That’s another maiden from Anderson and only one off Tate’s next over.
Bradman pushes a single to mid-off and Smith crashes the last ball through mid-wicket
Bradman runs a single to third man and Smith lofts the ball into a vacant long off region for three

263-2 (Bradman 103 Smith 77) Overs 90

 

[A1X]

were loose

 

[Gwylan]

Anderson gets no joy off his next over, Smith scores two through extra cover and Bradman plays a maiden off Tate.
It’s a bowling change. Stokes comes on for Anderson and Smith greets him by smashing the first ball through cover. He runs the next ball past point for another couple but Stokes get some extra bounce, Smith tries to turn it to leg but can’t keep it down and paddles it to Compton at backward square leg.

Australia 271-3 (Smith c Compton b Stokes 85)

 

[Gwylan]

(I have to go out so lunch will be early)

 

[Gwylan]

Border gets off the mark with a single and has to face the next ball from Tate. He watches a couple carefully and then swings to leg for a boundary. He can’t get on top of one that has some extra bounce however and it’s slashed to Knott – he doesn’t drop those. That’s lunch

Lunch: Australia 276-4 (Border c Knott b Tate 5, Bradman 103) Overs 93.5 Australia lead by 146

 

[A1X]

Ben Stokes #MakesThingsHappen