[Cricket] World Test XI

[Gwylan]

One bit of controversy though. There was a tetchy press conference last night given by the Australian team manager, Bob Hawke. The Aussie camp are furious about the decision to uphold Smith's dismissal, stating there was no evidence that the batsman had hit the ball. And in a dramatic move they've asked for Billy Bowden to stand down for the rest of the series - he's due to officiate at Old Trafford in the next test.

It's also been reported that Smith has been fined 10% of his match fee for his reaction to his dismissal

 

[Gwylan]

A quiet morning so far. Gower got us under way this morning by glancing Thomson for four and pushing a single into the covers.

He then pulled Lillee away for four.

Hobbs scored a single in Thomson's second over and played out a maiden from Lillee.

Gower has driven Thomson firmly through the covers for two and flicked to mid-wicket for a single

England 116-1 (Hobbs 49 Gower 23) overs 38

 

[Gwylan]

And that's a lovely shot from Gower, he leans into the ball so casually and caresses it through the covers for four,

He goes for a repeat performance but there's a bit more bounce and slight movement and that's neatly taken by Smith at second slip. That's the breakthrough Australia wanted.

England 120-2 Gower c Smith b Lillee 27

 

[jakarta]

Another Goweresque knock, same as Cook I think he should be a bit nervous about selection for the Fourth Test...

 

[Gwylan]

That was so Gower - a lovely cameo but out to a lazy shot.

Compton's in now - he's on a pair too but he gets off the mark straight away with a clip to long leg.

He normally likes to get on with things but he plays out a maiden from Thomson

England 121-2 (Hobbs 49 Compton 1) overs 40

 

[Gwylan]

Hobbs has been stuck on 49 for some time but he brings up his 50 with a glorious cut off Lillle - four all the way. He takes stock and sees off the next couple of balls safely and then drives through mid-on for two.

And that's another four for him as Thomson loses his line and drifts outside leg - it's neatly glanced away. Both Hobbs and Compton gather singles to keep the score ticking along,

England 134-2 (Hobbs 60 Compton 2) overs 42

 

[jakarta]

Whats the weather like in Brum? The cloud is breaking up down here in RH20 but it is nothing like the last two days...

Oh and well done to Hobbs for his Fifty.

 

[Gwylan]

A bit cloudy, although that's lifting a bit.

Now the fun begins.

It's Warne replacing Lillee at the Pavilion end. His first ball is leg break but delivered too wide and a fraction too short - Compton hammers it to the square leg boundary.

That's England over halfway there now.

Warne has got that right either and Compton drives through mid-off for three. Hobbs plays back and steers him to the onside for two.


Thomson continues from the other end and beats Compton with a speedy delivery. Compton is forced to block the next two ... but Thommo pitches short and that's clattered away by Compton.

England 147-2 (Hobbs 62 Compton 13) overs 44

 

[jakarta]

136 runs to get, Botham, Stokes and Prior to come, surely England can't cock it up from here?













Of course they can

 

[Gwylan]

The last few overs have been pretty quiet. Warne is not finding much help and he's being played with ease. Miller's on for Thomson and he's been steady but not spectacular

The two batsmen are content to keep the scoreboard ticking over and are taking no risks,

England 156-2 (Hobbs 66 Compton 18) overs 48

 

[Gwylan]

And that's the shot of the day from Hobbs - Warne bowls a fizzing leg break but Hobbs waits, plays it late, very late and it speeds its way to the third man boundary.

He now uses his feet to come forward and drives for two through mid-on. He finishes the over with a nicked single.

Hobbs sees off the first couple of balls of Miller and runs it down to third man. Oh, Compton's enjoyed that - he's down the wicket and cracking it through mid-on for four. He's exchanging a few words with his mate about it.

England 168-2 (Hobbs 74 Compton 22) overs 50

 

[Eeyore]

I managed to get a ticket off a tout in Cannon Hill Park. Currently in the Eric Hollies if anyone fancies a jar.

 

[Gwylan]

Hobbs is looking increasingly confident against Warne - he's using his fee superbly and Warne is varying his length, That's a beautiful drive - and well fielded by Ponting in the covers. But he's through this time, another two for Hobbs. And that's nicely played as well, backwards of square on the offside - Compton calls for a run and then stops and says no.
Hobbs turns to get back but that's a brilliant throw from Miller, a direct hit with on stump to aim at. They're not going upstairs for his, Hobbs was well short. What a blow for England

England 170-3 (Hobbs run out 76)

 

[jakarta]

I managed to get a ticket off a tout in Cannon Hill Park. Currently in the Eric Hollies if anyone fancies a jar.

Most people in the Eric Hollies fancy a jar and have probably already had a few!

 

[Gwylan]

Compton has his head in his hands - there was probably a run there, Miller had to make a fair bit of ground.

Hobbs goes off to sympathetic applause. The skipper's in with little over a hundred needed.

He gets off the mark straight away

 

[jakarta]

136 runs to get, Botham, Stokes and Prior to come, surely England can't cock it up from here?]

How could I have forgotten that we have Wally Hammond as well?

 

[Gwylan]

Hammond pushes a single off Miller and it looks like Compton's in the mood to rid of the demons

He steps down the wicket to Miller and smashes him over the top four, there's a pull through mid-wicket for four and then an edge past Gilchrist for another four. He finishes with a single

England 185-3 (Compton 35 Hammond 2) overs 52

 

[Gwylan]

Compton's in the zone now. He swings at Warne and that sails into the Eric Hollies stand, where it's caught by someone in a Brighton & Hove Albion shirt. Good catch, sir!

He tries it again but there's more bounce on that - it sails high in the air towards fine leg; Gilchrist is running after it.... and takes the catch.

England 191-4 Compton c Gilchrist b Warne 41

 

[Gwylan]

Stokes is in and blocks the rest of the over.

Chappell has replaced Miller at the Birmingham end but Hammond is looking to push the score along now and drives through the covers for four and then through mid-on for four more. He finishes with a single to third man - that's the 200 up

England 200-4 (Hammond 11 Stokes 0) overs 54

 

[jakarta]

Good Old England, putting us through it as usual...