[Cricket] World Test XI

[jakarta]

In the immortal words of Battery Sgt Williams:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4uivPpzCGo

Looks like Thommo next Test then?

 

[Gwylan]

Australia are really struggling here. Border, who’s only an occasional bowler is struggling to find a length, Compton has cut him and pulled him for a couple of fours and has hit a six over his head. Hammond has driven him majestically while the England captain has also taken a liking to Miller, striking him for successive fours. Waugh is wondering what to do – that’s the problem with just four frontline bowlers. If one breaks down, you’re in trouble, particularly when another of them – like Miller - is struggling to find any rhythm.
England are running away with this now, both Compton and Hammond have hit 50s and are eyeing three figures.

228 -3 (Compton 58 Hammond 61) 58 overs

 

[jakarta]

Australia are really struggling here. Border, who’s only an occasional bowler is struggling to find a length, Compton has cut him and pulled him for a couple of fours and has hit a six over his head. Hammond has driven him majestically while the England captain has also taken a liking to Miller, striking him for successive fours. Waugh is wondering what to do – that’s the problem with just four frontline bowlers. If one breaks down, you’re in trouble, particularly when another of them – like Miller - is struggling to find any rhythm.
England are running away with this now, both Compton and Hammond have hit 50s and are eyeing three figures.

228 -3 (Compton 58 Hammond 61) 58 overs

This is what we want, Botham and Stokes to come as well!

 

[Gwylan]

Warne’s come back and asserted some form of control: that’s the first maiden for some time. Unfortunately, Border has been replaced by Smith and both batsmen are filling their boots, Compton sweeping him for four and then driving him for three before Hammond hits his first maximum.
Warne bowls another tidy over just one coming off it before McGrath returns and immediately gets the batsmen playing with more caution.
And, right out of the blue, Warne gets a ball to bite – it spins visciously, bounces and flies past Gilchrist for four byes – Australia won’t mind that but Hammond looks a bit concerned.

257-3 (Compton 70 Hammond 74) 64 overs

 

[jakarta]

Surely in control of this one now, I'll bet Botham and Stokes can't wait.

 

[Gwylan]

Warne bowls another tidy over, treated with suspicion by Hammond, particularly when a ball flies off the shoulder of the bat over gully’s head for a streaky two. Compton sees out McGrath for a maiden and that’s tea. England have got through the session without losing a wicket and Compton and Hammond both have a century in their sights.

259-3 (Compton 70 Hammond 76) 66 overs

 

[jakarta]

One side are going to enjoy their Tiffin rather more than the rest!

Any news on the Lillee injury?

 

[Gwylan]

One side are going to enjoy their Tiffin rather more than the rest!

Any news on the Lillee injury?

The Australian camp have just announced that it's not as serious as thought, he's been for a scan and there's no muscle tear or spinal damage. A massage and some rest could do the trick - they're hopeful that he'll back in the morning.

Whether he's looking forward to coming back and bowling to the team piling on the runs is another issue.

 

[jakarta]

The Australian camp have just announced that it's not as serious as thought, he's been for a scan and there's no muscle tear or spinal damage. A massage and some rest could do the trick - they're hopeful that he'll back in the morning.

Whether he's looking forward to coming back and bowling to the team piling on the runs is another issue.

Well quite, having witnessed a Trumper Century yesterday the prospect of a Compton and Hammond one as well post Tea has made me take the top off a decent Cabernet, early doors I know...

 

[Gwylan]

A quiet start after tea. Waugh has put himself on: like Hammond, the skipper is a reluctant bowler, but he’s not doing a bad job here. He’s not doing much with the ball but he’s tidy and they’re only picking singles off him – although one leads to the 150 partnership.
Warne at the other end is beginning to get some turn now. He fizzes one past Hammond’s bat and then gets an inside edge that Hammond nearly drags onto his stumps.
And that’s a chance, the next over, Compton mistimes a drive and it travels to Bradman at mid-off. It’s hard chance as it was coming fast and low but the Australian shells it – Warne looks less than happy.

272-3 (Compton 75 Hammond 84) 72 overs

 

[Gwylan]

The runs are beginning to pick up now both Hammond and Compton have driven Waugh for four and the Middlesex man has also swept Warne for another boundary. Only 10 behind now and still seven wickets in hand

288-3 (Compton 85 Hammond 90) 76 overs

 

[Gwylan]

And disaster for England. Hammond flicks Waugh behind square and Compton calls for a run but stops and immediately sends Hammond back. But the skipper can’t turn in time, Miller’s return is fast and low and is a direct hit – Hammond is well out, Bowden doesn’t have to review that. If I were Compton, I’d stay out of Hammond’s way tonight.

288-4 (Hammond run out 90)

 

[jakarta]

Compton needs a huge Century now! Is it Stokes or Botham in now?

 

[Gwylan]

Stokes gets off the mark first ball and Compton has put the run out behind him by driving Waugh through the covers for four and flicking him to long leg for a single. Compton’s in the 90s
He’s nearly a goner with the first ball of Warne’s over though, it catches the edge and flies down past Gilchrist for four. No mistake this time though, he drives over the top for another four.
ENGLAND HAVE THE LEAD
and he pushes past gully for a single to take him to 99
303-4 (Compton 99 Stokes 1) 78 overs

 

[Gwylan]

And that’s the ton. Compton is watchful for the first four balls but Waugh overpitches and it’s driven for two. The ground rises to the Middlesex man, his great mate Keith Miller pats him on the shoulder, that’s a class innings.
305-4 (Compton 101 Stokes 1) 79 overs

 

[Gwylan]

Warne bowling the last over before the new ball – Australia are certain to take it straight away. Stokes fancies the leggie here and launches the ball, one bounce to the mid-on boundary

309-4 80 overs

 

[Gwylan]

McGrath takes the new ball and immediately has Compton in trouble, just about keeping the ball out. He plays the next two carefully before squeezing one away for a couple but, that’s a beaut, a bit more bounce and it moves late, Compton tries to pull away but he feathers it to Gilchrist behind the stumps. Compton walks, he’s not waiting for Bucknor’s decision there.

England 311-5 (Compton c Gilchrist b McGrath 103)

 

[Gwylan]

One ball to come off McGrath’s over. Botham’s on his way to a massive cheer. This is going to be a contest to savour. His ball is of full length, swings late and strikes him plumb in front. He asks Stokes for his view but the all-rounder shakes his head. He’s got to go; out for a first ball quacker
England 311-6 (Botham lbw McGrath 0) 81 overs

 

[jakarta]

Oh bugger, all going tits up, hope Stokes can retrieve it.

 

[Lincolnshire Seagull]

This is a bit of fun. I admire your creativity and stamina!