[Cricket] World Test XI

[Gwylan]

Chappell scores a single off the second ball of Stokes over and then Smith cracks him away for four through mid-wicket. Stokes isn't really getting much joy here and Smith also scores one.

And Underwood drops short - a rare event and Smith smashes it away past gully for four more - that;s the 50 partnership - and then drives for three, slightly uppishly past mid-off to bring up the 250

Australia 250-4 (Smith 34 Chappell 22) overs 74

 

[Gwylan]

The batsmen are playing for stumps now. Smith scores a single off Stokes and Chappell gets a streaky two of an inside edge but Smith then sees out a maiden from Underwood.

Chappell scores a single off the first ball of Stokes over but Smith meets the rest of the balls with a straight bat.

Underwood slightly over pitches the first ball of his over and Chappell drives for two but he blocks everything else and that's stumps.

Australia 256-4 (Smith 35 Chappell 27) overs 78

 

[jakarta]

Morning everyone, lets hope we don't have TMS going down after Lunch today!

Slightly worried that both of these are now well in, especially Smith. Would be good to get one early.

 

[Gwylan]

A lovely day at Edgbaston, blue as a sailor's breeches, there's a packed crowd and a real buzz in the air. A couple of quick wickets and it could be over today.

 

[jakarta]

New Ball due shortly, presume Anderson and Larwood will have a warm-up over each?

 

[Gwylan]

This is going to hang on the new ball: if Australia can ride it out and add another 150 to 200, this is going to be a tough ask for England but, on the other hand, a couple of quick wickets will calm the nerves.

We’re starting the day with Larwood from the Pavilion end. I suspect this will be one over with the old ball and Smith sets the tone by cracking the first ball of the day to mid-wicket, it was slightly over-pitched and got the full treatment.
And that’s another loose one, helped around the corner for another four. But he’s beaten trying an drive and then edges to the slips – along the ground though. Still, a bit of promise for Larwood.
Anderson also over-pitches and Chappell drives, but doesn’t quite time it and ends up with two. There’s a clip for a single and then Smith sees the over out.

Australia 267 -4 (Smith 43 Chappell 30) overs 80

 

[jakarta]

Cometh the New Ball, Cometh the Hour!

 

[Gwylan]

It’s time for the new ball and immediately Larwood hurries Chappell into a shot, and now hits him on the thigh, he’s building up a bit of pace now. He whistles down another one but Chappell plays it calmly for a single. Smith looks much more skittish and is hurried into making a shot. He does get a single though.
Anderson is more accurate and Smith can only get one off the over

Australia 270-4 (Smith 45 Chappell 31) Overs 82

 

[Gwylan]

Larwood is fired up now and strikes Smith on the chest, the next one is fended away uppishly and looks a certain four but a brilliant diving stop by Anderson restricts them to two. Smith can only defend the next few balls until squirting a single off an inside edge.
Anderson’s a lot easier to play and Smith hits a single into the gap at mid-wicket. Chappell’s forward defensive is in working order as he gets right into line, the last ball is slightly too full and it’s sweetly driven for two.

Australia 276-4 (Smith 49 Chappell 33) Overs 84

 

[Gwylan]

Smith’s in a bit of trouble here – the ball from Larwood was only just short of a length but Smith was caught in two minds whether to leave or play it, it’s hit him in the chest/shoulder region. The physio is on but Smith has a drink of water and is carrying on.
And that’s another vicious ball, Smith just gets out of the way in time; umpire Dar is having a quiet word and is holding up a finger – that’s the lot for the over.
Larwood is causing problems when he bowls a full length though, Smith just about jabs down on a yorker and then squeezes another full length delivery out, it flies along the ground between Cook and Stokes in the slips – that’s four. It’s not the way that Smith wanted to bring up his 50 but it will have to do.
Chappell is playing Anderson easily, there’s a casual swing for two and then a cracking cover drive for four – Australia approaching a 200 lead here.

Australia 286-4 (Smith 53 Chappell 39) overs 86

 

[Gwylan]

Larwood hasn’t got that right: I think it was an attempted yorker but it’s too full and Smith hammers it to the mid-on boundary. The next one is too wide and Smith helps it round the corner for another four. Oh, that’s vicious, Smith tries to play, but he misses and the ball thuds into Prior’s gloves – the keeper and slip cordon go up for the catch … and umpire Dar raises his finger!
Smith immediately reviews; he clearly doesn’t think he hit that.

 

[Gwylan]

There’s been a long, long delay while Billy Bowden looks at this. They’ve rock and rolled and looked at snicko and hotspot – there’s a faint blip as the ball passes the bat but nothing significant. It looks like it’s going to be over-turned.

 

[Gwylan]

But Bowden sees nothing to over-rule the umpire – the decision stands!!

Smith looks aghast and stands his ground for a few seconds before he walks off, shaking his head. There are some boos from the crowd scattered amidst the applause.

Australia 294-5 Smith c Prior b Larwood 61

 

[Gwylan]

Gilchrist immediately gets off the mark with a single and then cracks the first ball of Anderson’s over for four. Is he going to be in the mood for a quick score? It seems not as he plays out the rest of the over calmly.

Australia 299-5 (Chappell 39 Gilchrist 5) overs 88

 

[Gwylan]

Chappell sends up the 200 with a classic off drive for four and runs a single to long leg. Gilchrist blocks the next ball from Larwood, is beaten by the next one and runs a single off the final ball.
Gilchrist is playing sensibly here and is content to see out an Anderson over, he scores a single off the final ball to steal the strike.

Australia 306-5 (Chappell 44 Gilchrist 7) overs 90

 

[Gwylan]

It’s still Larwood, and Gilchrist drives through mid-on – he doesn’t quite time it though and there’s some good work by Underwood to save the boundary and restrict him to three. But he has no chance off the next ball as Chappell sends it screaming past him at mid-on – that’s the 200 lead for Australia.
Gilchrist scampers a single off Larwood and Chappell reaches his 50 with a sumptuous two through mid-on. A single completes the over and that’s drinks.

Australia 317-5 (Chappell 51 Gilchrist 11) overs 92

 

[Gwylan]

During the drinks break, the big screen showed a view of the Australian balcony: Smith is talking furiously to Bradman, he’s clearly still unhappy with the decision. The crowd, of course, are loving it and there’s a chorus of “Cheat, cheat”. I won’t lie: this doesn’t improve Smith’s mood, judging by his facial expression.

 

[Gwylan]

Back after the break: will there be an immediate wicket. Botham is on replacing Larwood and bowls a rank long hop that’s pelted to the mid-wicket boundary. Not the start that Botham wanted
That is though, a beautiful ball, just wide of off-stump, a full length, Chappell drives at it but it swings late and Hammond, the solitary slip, snaffles the catch.

Australia 321-6 Chappell c Hammond b Botham 55

 

[Gwylan]

Miller in and sees out the over. There’s a bit of a dilemma for these two batters – they both like to get on with it but, on the other hand, they can’t lose another wicket,
Gilchrist seems to have taken this on board and blocks the first few balls of Anderson’s over - he doesn’t block that though. He cracks it through mid-off like a pistol shot and then runs a single.

Australia 326-6 (Gilchrist 16 Miller 0) overs 94

 

[Gwylan]

This should be fun: Botham to Gilchrist but, again, the Aussie keeper restrains himself, there’s a two to deep point and that’s the over.
Miller gets off the mark with Anderson’s first ball and, is this a sign that Anderson’s tiring? He drops short and Gilchrist swings it away for four. No more fireworks though.

Australia 333-6 (Gilchrist 22 Miller 1) overs 96