excellent bowling from stuart broad
Sadly I did not get to see any of the first days play at the fifth Ashes test, but at 308 for 8 it seems that England had not done too badly although only Ian Bell (72) and Andrew Strauss (55) scored more than fifty runs. Flintoff was a huge disappointment with just seven, but Jonathan Trott made a bright start to his test career with 41.
Day two at the Oval and England soon fell to the Australian bowling, adding just 25 runs to the overnight total England were all out for 332.
It was then that the real action started, what looked as though it would be a painful day for England supporters as Australia built a first stand of 73 with no loss, turned into a brilliant display of wicket taking by the England team.
In a late starting afternoon session due to lunchtime rain, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann were supreme. In a thirty odd over spell Australia collapsed from 73 for 0 to 160 all out.
In an unbelievable spell Broad’s figures were 5 for 37, and Swann 4 for 38. Flintoff taking the final wicket bowled 1 for 35.
What a day of mixed emotions for England cricket fans, the rollercoaster ride looks set to continue however as the wicket began to deteriorate during England’s second innings.
In the final 28 overs of the day Australia managed to skittle Cook, Bell and Collingwood with just 15 runs between them, However Strauss is once again on a respectable 32 not out and Trott is on 9.
England 332 and 58 for 3 Australia 160
1 comment so far
1 AliensInfoTech // Aug 24, 2009 at 11:53 am
Ashes Test which will be a deciding game, there were rumors that Flint off may reconsider his decision Flintoff had earlier made up his mind to retire from Test cricket after the current Ashes series, citing the frequent injuries as the reason is firm in his stand. He however did not rule out the possibility of playing four day cricket at national level as a part of Lancashire team. However the eminent all rounder will be continuing playing cricket as far as fifty over game and twenty-twenty version are concerned. Flintoff is a part of IPL Chennai Super Kings team.