Crunching Numbers from Lords

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• Strauss crosses 5000 runs mark, during is knock of 161 runs. He now has 18 centuries, 4 at lords.
• Andrew Strauss became the fifth batsman to score 1000 runs or more at an average of 67.64 at Lords.
• Strauss and Cook went past the pair of Mike Atherton and Graham Gooch to take fourth place in the list of top opening partnerships for England. The pair now averages 47.07 for 2589 runs with seven century-stands
• Together with Cook, Strauss forged the highest first-wicket partnership by an England combination at Lord's (196) in an Ashes Test, bettering by 14 runs the 83-year-old record held by Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe (182)
• The duo posted the highest first-wicket stand in England since Colin Cowdrey and Peter Richardson at Trent Bridge in 1956 (204). It was England's best in any Ashes Test since Graham Gooch and Mike Atherton put together 213 at Adelaide in 1990-91.
• Mitchell Johnson gets to 100 wickets in Test Cricket.
• Onions & Anderson add 47 for 10th wicket is a record for England at Lords.
• Michael Hussey's 51 was only his second half-century in 10 innings this year. He's averaged a modest 29 in 2009, compared to his overall average of 54.29.
• 145.23 Matt Prior's strike rate - he scored 61 off 42 balls. It's the highest strike rate for a 50-plus score in 2009.
• 123.6 The most overs Australia have batted in the fourth innings of a Test. Those were eight-ball overs - against South Africa in 1950 - which convert into 165 six-ball overs. The record against England is 115 eight-ball overs (153.2 six-ball ones).

Freddie helps England break Aussie stranglehold after 75 years!!!

Andrew Flintoff playing his last test series sealed the faith of Aussies with a match winning spell of top class fast bowling. It was only his 3rd five for for England in test cricket and first since last Ashes in England in 2005.

Lords, 2nd Test, Day 1

Although Flintoff pushed the nails on the coffin, it all started on first session of Day 1 itself, when captain courageous Andrew Strauss after winning the toss added 196 for the first wicket with Alistair Cook. Cook was unlucky though to miss out on a century, when he was dismissed by Johnson for 95. Such was there assault on Aussies that Mitchell Johnson there strike bowler was hit for 77 runs in his first 11 overs and as many as 15 four's were hit of him. The Aussies came back strongly with wickets in the final session, but were handed a blow when Hauritz while attempting a catch of Strauss, dislocated his finger and could not bowl any further in that innings. The first day undoubtedly belong to Andrew Strauss who remained not out for 161 at the end of Day 1. With honours even with scoreboard reading 364 for 6.

Lords, 2nd Test, Day 2

The Aussies came back strongly 2nd morning, with the pick of the bowlers on day 1 Ben Hilfenhaus dismissing Strauss on the 2nd bowl of the day. Strauss failed to add a run to his 161 but that could not undermine the importance of this innings. With 2 more wickets Aussies had the advantage scoreboard showing 378 for 9. Yet again the 10th wicket pair proved their nemesis. The duo of Anderson and Onions added 47 runs off just 52 balls. Anderson played some scorching shots in his cameo of 29 off 25 balls. England ended their innings on a high, with a formidable first innings score of 425, Aussies had some catching up to do. They soon found themselves in trouble, when Hughes and Ponting departed early, Australia 10 for 2. Both wickets were taken by Anderson, who along with his opening partner Flintoff looked deadly with his swing. Katich and Hussey started cautiously, and ensured no further hiccups till lunch. After lunch they started playing shots which gave English bowlers a chance to comeback and with some rain around Aussies found themselves in deep trouble loosing 6 for 46 in final session, 156 for 8 when bad light forced the close of play early. Aussies were tested with some good short pitched stuff during that period, especially by Broad. England took the honors on day 2 with Australia needing a further 70 runs to avoid the follow-on. Strauss had some decision to make on whether to enforce follow-on or not.

Lords, 2nd Test, Day 3

Day 3 saw some stern resistance from the Australian tail enders as they added 59 runs more but couldn't cross the 225 run mark to avoid the follow-on. Which laid Strauss to make a decision,with a lead of 210 runs and sun shining, Strauss decided not to enforce the follow-on. Again it was a good start by the openers and again Johnson looked a shadow of himself. But Hauritz dismissed both the openers and ignited an Aussie revival, for the next 2-3 hours bowlers toiled hard, there were numerous plays and misses, as Pieterson and Bopara toiled hard. They were made to work hard for runs. And the pressure soon paid off as both batsmen departed. That brought Matt Prior to the crease who along with Collingwood decimated the Australian bowlers to all parts of the ground. It was a treat to watch the free flowing innings by Prior. Before departing he had scored 61 of just 42 balls. Then Collingwood and Flintoff helped England cross the 300 run mark. England ended day 3 at 311 for 6, with a lead of 521 runs, they were in total command.

Lords, 2nd Test, Day 4

The possible threat of rain forced Strauss to declare first up in the morning, setting Australia a herculean task of scoring 522 runs in 2 days. Australian's were in trouble straight away thanks to some poor umpiring decisions, while Katich given out to a no ball, Hughes catch was not referred to the third umpire, replays showed that ball clearly bounced before reaching Strauss at slip, Australia 34 for 2 also had to contain with a recharged Flintoff playing his last test at the Mecca of cricket Lords. Ponting looked good but dragged one back on his stumps of Broad, then Hussey was given out to another controversial decision, though I must admit it looked out from the naked eye, replays confirming otherwise. Swann was finding some sharp turn and drift and soon found North's stumps too, Australia at 128 for 5 and a threat of loosing out inside 4 days. Then came Haddin who provided much needed support to Clarke who looked in sublime touch. The duo added 185 runs before the close of play, with Clarke completing his century and Haddin his half century in process. All of a sudden 522 runs was not looking like that many with Australia ending day 4 at 313 for 5 and two batsmen at 125 and 80 respectively, we had a game on our hands.

Lords, 2nd Test, Day 5

The history was beckoning both teams; England who have not beaten Australia at Lords since 1934 and Australia who could possibly chase down a world record total. Anderson opened the attack with exceptional display of swing bowling kept Clarke at bay. Flintoff was next up and dismissed Haddin on the 4th ball of the over. After that Aussies had their backs to the wall and Flintoff ran through their tail, with a wonderful display of fast bowling in spell of 10 overs. He finished with figures of 27-4-92-5, he was equally well supported by Swann who finished with 28-3-87-4 and of-course with the all important wicket of Michael Clarke. Mitchell Johnson's brisk 63 runs helped Australia cross 400 runs. In the end 522 runs proving too much for Australia but they fought hard and who knows if a couple of decision's would have went their way, they might have overhauled this total. But they must remember what happened against India in Sydney test last year, So they mustn't blame the umpires now and should focus on getting the right combination for the next test otherwise they might end up with the same fate they did in 2005.

Aussies toil hard, but English tail holds its fort

CARDIFF, 1st Test, Day 5

At the start of days play Australia needed 8 wickets, but non more important then Kevin Pieterson's and he was the first to go, completely misjudging a delivery from Hilfenhaus and in the process lost his off stump. England in deep trouble at 31 for 3. Their troubles only increased when their captain Andrew Strauss departed of the bowling of Hauritz, scoreboard reading 46 for 4. Prior looked good briefly but he too perished of the bowling of Hauritz. 70 for 5 English hopes were on one man Paul Collingwood and he didn't disappoint, along with Flintoff asured that no more wicket would fall before lunch.
After lunch Johnson broke the 57 runs stand by dismissing Flintoff. With 4 wickets in hand and almost 55 overs to play nobody would have put their money on England. But then the unlikely thing happened and Collingwood found some support from Broad, Swann and Anderson. This meant that the aussies had to toil hard to get wickets and Ponting used 7 bowlers in the process.
But again with 11 and a bit overs to play the aussies were handed a lifeline when Siddle got the better of Collingwood. The marathon innings finally came to an end, after having batted for more than 5 hours and 245 balls Collingwood departed for 74 runs. Australia just a wicket away and Panesar and Anderson at the crease. Then again the most unlikely thing happened and the duo batted for 39 minutes and 69 balls without being separated, which meant that Aussies didn't go to Lords with a 1-0 lead. Ponting was named Man of the Match, but i would have given it to Paul Collingwood.
From truley amazing batting display from Collingwood and some staunch batting by their tail ensured that England draw the game. But if they have to put up a fight they have to pull up several notches in all three departments. The difference between the two teams was where every English batsmen got start no one made it count while whoever got the start for Aussies made it count. There were four centuries scored by Aussies compared to non by England.

Number Crunchers :
Paul Collingwood in his last 12 Tests, dating back to his career-saving century at Edgbaston last summer, has scored 989 runs at 61.81, with four centuries and a 96.

Aussies on top, as rain plays spoilsport !!!

CARDIFF, 1st Test, Day 4

Fourth day started with Australia in command and it ended with only two possibilities a draw and an Aussie win, the latter looks more likely provided the rain gods stay away. North and Haddin were cautious early on, but with rather lacklustre bowling performance by England, they soon got on to their strides and added 200 runs before being separated. In the process both batsmen reached their centuries. If it was the silken touch of Haddin, equally classy were powerfull backfoot drives by North. Norht was the first to reach the 100 mark, he took 206 deliveries, while Haddin needed 138 deliveries, and 48 to go from 50 to 100. After lunch both batsmen virtually decimated the English attack adding 97 runs of just 15 overs. With the threat of rain around Ponting declared the innings with the scoreboard reading 674 for 6.
England started their batting in match-saving mode, were in trouble straight away with Hilfenhaus and Johnson dismissing Cook and Bopara respectively inside the first 6 overs. However rain played spoilsport, much to the respite of England. With no further play possible, England were still 219 runs behind with 8 wickets in hand. Aussies must be sensing victory provided the rain stay away.

Crunching Numbers :
1. 674 Australia's total, which is their sixth-highest in all Tests, and their fourth-highest against England.
2. 5 The number of bowlers who conceded more than 100 runs in the innings. It's only the second such instance for England - the first was against West Indies at Lord's in 1973.
3. 200 The partnership between Marcus North and Brad Haddin, which is the fifth-highest for the sixth wicket for Australia against England, and their highest in England.
4. It was the 2nd century for both Haddin and North in test cricket in their 16th and 3rd test respectively.

Aussies on top at the end of day 3.

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CARDIFF 1st Test, Day 3
Day 3 started with Ponting & Katich continuing from were they left yesterday, their partnership added another 50, before Katich departed after compiling a crafty 122, with scoreboard reading 299 for 2, then came Mr. Cricket, who has not been in the best of form since the last couple of series and his poor form continued as he got out for 3 of the bowling of Anderson. England getting a glimmer of hope, which only increased when Paneser dismissed Ponting not before he stroked a brilliant 150, scoreboard reading 331 for 4 with two new batsmen at the crease England were back in business. However, Clarke and North had different plans the duo didn't gave England a sniff. It was Clarke's cover drives and North straight drives which kept the spectators entertained. English bowlers tried hard but to no avail with second session belonging to Australia, Englands hope were diminishing fast.
The third session saw both batsmen complete their half centuries, then rain came and the play was halted for more than an hour. The rain break didn't help Clarke as he got out for 83 shortly after the play resumed. Broad getting something to smile at the end. When stumps were drawn on day 3 Australia was very well placed at 479 for 5 with a lead of 44 runs and I am afraid to say unless something dramatic happens only two results are possible at this stage either Australia winning or a draw. A possible threat of rain on day 4 tame draw looks a certainity. I hope the rain Gods stay away and we get full 5 days play, till then goodbye.

Crunching Numbers:

Michael Clarke has scored 824 runs since the begining of the Australian summer at an average of 58.85, during the same period Michael Hussey has scored only 325 runs at 21.66.

Ponting & Katich keep England at bay

Cardiff 1st Test, Day 2

Day 2 was full of milestones, Ponting entered the elite 11000 runs club joining Allan Border (11,174), Brian Lara (11,953) and Sachin Tendulkar (12,773). Comparing the four of them Ponting has the highest average 56.71. He also completed his 38 ton and his 8th in Ashes, Only six batsmen have scored more hundreds in Ashes contests. Only Sachin Tendulkar has scored more tons (42) then him. For a while Ponting seemed destined to become the game's leading run-scorer, but while he's only 34, it appears Tendulkar will take the mark well out of reach. Well i must say the 2nd day was a statisticians delight. Here's some crunching numbers :

1. 50.68 Ponting's average against England, at the end of the second day's play. The only country against whom he averages less than 50 is India (47.02).
2. Ponting also completed 2000 runs against England.
3. He has also scored hundreds in four Ashes series, a record matched by only Don Bradman and Steve Waugh.
4. 57.42 Katich's test average in the last 14 months. In 29 innings he has scored six centuries and seven fifties.

It was a turnaround for the tourists, who were given the run-around during the first session with England adding 99 in 16.5 overs of sparkling batting from the tail enders. Well to be fair to them I shouldn't be calling Swann and Broad tail enders they are more than handy with the bat. Then it was the turn of the aussies to bat. With only half hour to go before lunch English bowlers hold the key. Media regarded Phil Hughes as having a suspect technique. And for a man whose only 20, playing his first Ashes showed no nerves and guided aussies along with Katich safely to lunch.

Hughes played some crisp shots before being tested by Flintoff. The duo were on to each other right from the word go. Flintoff had the last laugh though. Dismissing Hughes for 36, australia 60 for 1. Then came the australian captain Ricky Ponting. He along with Katich gave no reason for english bowlers to smile and ended the day at 249 for 1. With Ponting looking in sublime form and Katich supporting him well its The Aussies who are holding the cards. The pitch is turning sqaure and its ominous signs for batsmen already. England can still comeback and remember Australia will have to bat last and England are with two quality spinners. At the end i would say it was an entertaining days play and The Ashes is up and running. Will join you tomorrow till then goodbye.

Much ado about nothing !!!!!!!!!!!

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Well from the past Ashes experiences often the series is set up in the first hour or so, after all who can forget 2005 when Steve Harmison virtually decimated the aussies with his short balls. No less than 17 wickets fell on the very first morning at Lords.

CARDIFF 1st Test, Day 1

Andrew Strauss the England captain won the toss and decided to bat first. His decision was not surprising at all as he was playing two spinners. The big surprise though was the exclusion of Stuart Clark who was the highest wicket taker in 2006-07 ashes ( 26 wickets at 17).
England were of to a decent start but lost there way towards the 2nd hour of the session losing Strauss & Bopara to Johnson. The first session belonged to the aussies.

The second session saw KP & Collingwood stabalizing the innings. The duo added 138 for the 4th wicket before Collingwood was dismissed by Hilfenhaus for 64 in the third session. KP didn't look like his usual self but scored a fine 69 before getting out sweeping rather ungainly to Hauritz.
Then came Flintoff to join Prior and the duo played their shots freely accumulating 86 runs off just 96 balls. Towards the end of the days play the aussies came back thanks to Siddle who dismissed both Flintoff and Prior. At stumps England 336 for 7 not sure which team would say they have the edge. My guess is the first session tomorrow would be very crucial in deciding which way this match is going. The first day at Cardiff was only the shadow of the rivalry we are accustomed to seeing. I hope second day would live upto the expectations, till then au revoir.