Live Ashes Blogging: Day three at Headingley with Ed Hawkins
England Cricket
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Ed Hawkins /
09 August 2009 /
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Oh dear. A very sorry England have already given up the fourth Test with nothing but pride to play for this morning. Ed Hawkins talks you through the action and any betting opportunities there may be...
14.26 England 1 Australia 1
Panic is a traditional reaction when England lose a Test. Absolute horror if it's to Australia. But England should remain calm. This was always going to be a tight series and to be 1-1 with the best side in the world (that is how the ICC rank Australia) is no disgrace. A tweak is needed in the batting (Ravi Bopara must surely be dropped) and Andrew Flintoff has to return if the urn is to do likewise. Pump him full of as many drugs as possible.
England must also take solace in the fact that they have always had a poor record at Headingley while in contrast, they are very good at The Oval. Headingley is their second least successful home venue while in Kennington they are unbeaten in seven Tests.
The problem for England is that Australia are beginning to look ominous, particularly with Mitchell Johnson swinging it both ways. That momentum, in terms of his bowling and this victory, could be the key, though.
Shane Warne has insisted Australia will go for the win at The Oval even if a draw will be enough to retain. It is something we have to be wary of when betting on the series outcome. It will play on our mind. England need to make sure they put it out of theirs.
Here are the series prices: England [5.50], Australia [2.36] and the draw [2.46].
14.03 Australia win by an innings & 80 runs
Australia win in two-and-a-half days. England are going to have to produce something special indeed to win the Ashes. They have to win at The Oval in a fortnight if the urn is not to remain in Australia hands. Ricky Ponting's side have been brilliant at Headingley and key men have hit form at exactly the right time, notably Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson. Johnson claimed the last wicket of Graham Onions for a five-wicket haul as he finally lived up to his pre-series billing. So where does this leave the series? We'll discuss in a mo.
14.01 Eng 263-9
Matthew Hayden, always the shy and retiring type, has said that England should play the same side XI at The Oval. "I think this is ludicrous, this discussion about everyone getting dropped. I said exactly the same thing about the Australian side as well - there's no need to panic in these situations." Ordinarily, this blog would agree. England are a very up and down side and if they chopped and changed with every bad result, they'd be catapulted back to the bad old days. However, Ravi Bopara must surely be replaced. He averages 15 in the series and a Roby Key or Jonathan Trott could hardly do any worse. Presuming Andrew Flintoff is not fit, the bowling should remain the same. Who else could you bring in? Email me at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk with suggestions.
WICKET 13.54 Eng 259-9
Graeme Swann has gone. The end is night. Mitchell Johnson has produced the wicket. Graham Onions is on his way to the crease now.
13.38 Eng 245-8
We're about to start again sports fans. Australia need two wickets. England need 98 runs, then a further 150 (at least) and 10 wickets. Not surprisingly there are no offer still for Australia.
LUNCH 13.02 Eng 245-8
Believe it or not, England have survived the opening session. More than that, they've scored 163 runs in 24 overs. The Yorkshire crowd have certainly got their money's worth. England trail by 98 runs. Still, it's not been enough for anyone to offer cash on Australia on the match odds market.
12.57 Eng 244-8
Langer on Swann, who is 57 not out. "Swann is another one to wind us up with his ego. I'm not sure he likes short pitched bowling. He goes hard with the bat but will give lots of chances as he hit the ball in the air a lot."
WICKET 12.47 Eng 230-8
Stuart Broad gone for 61 with Peter Siddle doing the business. Decent little knock from him. Graeme Swann needs three for his 50. What do you think Justin Langer thinks of him? I'll let you know in a bit.
12.38 Eng 229-7
This flurry from England is put perfectly into context by these words from Justin Langer. "English players rarely believe in themselves. Many of them stare a lot and chat a lot but this is very shallow. They will retreat very quickly. Aggressive batting, running and body language will soon have them staring at their bootlaces rather than in the eyes of their opponent -- it is just how they are built."
12.32 Eng 215-7
Stuart Broad (57) and Graeme Swann (37) are enjoying themselves. The run rate in the last 10 overs is a whopping 9.20. All too little, too late though from England. In fact, there's something rather pathetic about this, or, as Justin Langer might say "typically English".
12.18 Eng 184-7
This is one of the main headlines from the leaked Justin Langer. Pertinent because of what is happening in the series currently. "Because of the way they are programmed they will be up when things are going well, but they will taper off very quickly if you wear them down. Because they play so much cricket as soon as it gets a bit hard you just have to watch their body language and see how flat and lazy they get. This is also a time when most of them make all sorts of excuses and start looking around to point the finger at everyone else -- it is a classic English trait from my experience."
11.57 Eng 150-7
Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann are keeping us all waiting. They have put on 30 so far and have done so relatively trouble free. I've found a link to the Justin Langer dossier. Have a look here.
11.45 Eng 137-7
We must offer thanks to Somerset captain and former Australia Test opener Justin Langer for providing us with something to talk about on a day when we are waiting for the inevitable. Langer produced a 'dossier' - they are always called such things in controversial circumstances, never a 'booklet' or 'notes' - on the England team and players. It is fascinating stuff. We'll pick out the bones as we go but just to whet you appetite, Langer has described James Anderson as a "pussy when he gets worn down". Charming.
WICKET 11.33 Eng 120-7
I was just about to write that Matt Prior should use today to really knuckle down for some decent practice against the Aussies in preparation for The Oval. Often he has looked good in this series without really going on for that big score. He looked good this morning, too but he has wasted his chance of a decent 'net'. In fairness Brad Haddin took a tremendous catch, pouching it right-handed to his right. He was momentarily going the other way so he did brilliantly to change direction. Hilfenhaus the bowler again.
11.30 Eng 120-6
England have avoided their heaviest home defeat. Their next target is the second worst - by an innings and 180 runs by West Indies in 1983.
11.20 Eng 105-6
Full house at Headingley this morning. Surprising that so many Yorkshire folk have come out for a losing cause? You shouldn't be. If this game is over within 25 overs they'll get a refund. A Yorkshireman never misses out on the chance of a freebie.
11.09 Eng 92-6
Further ignominy. England are well on course for their heaviest Ashes defeat. Some achievement that given the absolute trouncings they suffered at the hands of very fine Australia sides from 1989 onwards. Have a look here for the full list.
WICKET 11.05 Eng 86-6
It has taken two balls for normal service to be resumed. James Anderson is out, caught at slip off Ben Hilfenhaus. It pouts England in grave danger of suffering their heaviest Test defeat on home soil, surpassing the the innings and 226-run trouncing by West Indies in 1973 at Lord's. England trail by 257 runs. Good morning, by the way.