[Cricket] World Test XI

[Gwylan]

Hobbs wants to get in on the act and cuts Warne for another four, he runs a single down to third man and Gower takes a single to long on.
Border is off and Lillee is back on – this is where Australia really miss a fifth regular bowler – they’ll want Lillee to take the new ball in 22 overs time. But he’s having a blast now and Gower pulls his first ball for four. And he cover drives the next one to the boundary and ends up by running a sharp single to short midwicket – Hobbs looks a bit startled at that. The runs are really flowing now

England 236-1 (Hobbs 91 Gower 61) overs 60

 

[Gwylan]

There’s a bit of slow down in runs as Warne is beginning to find a bit more turn – a googly fizzes past Gower’s bat. That’s the first delivery that’s shown any bite – Warne looks a bit more animated now and Gower a bit more watchful, there’s just the one off the over.
And there’s not much joy off Lillee either – a single to third man and then Hobbs punches a single to the covers.

England 239-1 (Hobbs 92 Gower 63) overs 62

 

[jakarta]

Can we think about playing for Tea any time soon? Probably not with Gower!

 

[Gwylan]

Warne again finds some turn – that beats Hobbs and Gilchrist for four byes. England won’t like the look of that at all. Hobbs watches the next couple of balls carefully and then eases a single past gully. Gower comes forward to kill any spin and takes one to wide mid-on.
He gets a bouncer from Lillee that hits his chest but I don’t think there’s any real discomfort there. He turns the ball off his hip and it beats Trumper’s despairing lunge for the ball and that’s four more.

England 249-1 (Hobbs 93 Gower 68) overs 64

 

[Gwylan]

Hobbs plays the next over from Warne carefully, there’s a two past mid-off – that’s the 250 up - but he’s playing off the back foot and keep a close eye for any spin.
It’s getting near tea now and Gower is content with a single off Lillee’s over

England 252-1 (Hobbs 95 Gower 69) overs 66

 

[jakarta]

What is the pitch looking like, sounds like Warne is getting something out of it now?

 

[Gwylan]

Gower is circumspect against Warne and takes one run to long off. Hobbs gets a lucky single that flies off the edge over gully’s head – there is definitely a bit more bite in the pitch now.
Hobbs nudges Lillee to long leg and strolls a single. And Lillee gets some reverse swing and induces an inside edge off Gower – that’s four more.

England 259-1 (Hobbs 97 Gower 74) overs 68

 

[Gwylan]

It's still pretty good - but there are some signs that it's going to turn. England really want to be near Aussies' score they won't want to bat all day on the fifth day to save the match

 

[Gwylan]

Warne to bowl the last over before tea. Hobbs gets well forward and kills spin, Warne’s a bit shorter and Hobbs is back to play that. That’s the googly and Hobbs has picked it and turns to long leg for a single. Gower is no mood to take Warne on and sees off the over

England 260-1 (Hobbs 98 Gower 74) overs 69

 

[jakarta]

Well played England but obviously a fair bit more to do, hopefully these pair will still be there at Stumps.

New ball in 13 overs time?

 

[Gwylan]

Well played England but obviously a fair bit more to do, hopefully these pair will still be there at Stumps.

New ball in 13 overs time?

11 overs

 

[jakarta]

11 overs

Bit of Border and Warne after Tea perhaps to allow Lillian Thomson to recover herself?

 

[Gwylan]

Miller gets us under way for the final session of the day. And Hobbs sends his first ball to the mid-wicket boundary for a fine century. He raises his bat to receive the applause of the crowd and takes his guard again. That’s also the hundred partnership. Miller is spot on for the rest of the over and there are no more runs.
It’s still Warne and Gower plays him carefully, there’s a single wide of gully and then Hobbs sees out the rest of the over.
Miller into Gower and that’s a truly magnificent shot – Gower leans into the ball and caresses it through extra cover, it’s all timing, no force there. He may not be the best batsman in this game but probably only Trumper can match him for elegance. And that’s another fine shot, a leg glance that’s all wrist and sent flying to the boundary.

England 273-1 (Hobbs 102 Gower 83) overs 72

 

[Gwylan]

Hobbs is taking no chances after his century and plays out a maiden from Warne – the first for quite some time. Gower runs Miller down to third man for a single and Hobbs does the same

England 275-1 (Hobbs 103 Gower 84) overs 74

 

[jakarta]

857-9 Aggregate Score so far, who'd be a Bowler!

 

[Gwylan]

Hobbs plays Warne elegantly wide of mid-on – he is a fine back foot player. And Gower sweeps fine – that’s going to be three runs as Lillee runs in to field the ball.
Miller is very tidy now – Gower gets two through the covers but that’s all for the over.

England 281-1 (Hobbs 104 Gower 89) overs 76

 

[A1X]

 

[jakarta]

New Ball looming, would guess Gower won't hang about over getting his Century...

 

[Gwylan]

Warne drops that one too short and Hobbs cuts it to the point boundary and then turns it to square leg for another single. Gower enters the nervous 90s with a dab down to third man.
Gower doesn’t want to be in the 90s for long – that’s a half volley from Miller that’s sent crashing to mid-off boundary. And runs a single to third man, Hobbs also scores one down to mid-on

England 293-1 (Hobbs 110 Gower 95) overs 78

 

[Gwylan]

Hobbs scores a single off Warne to reach the dreaded Nelson. Gower’s itching to get him away but has to be content with a single to long off
And he can’t get Miller away either – that’s a fine over and Gower can’t force any runs from it until the final ball which is run down to third man

England 296-1 (Hobbs 111 Gower 97) overs 80