1st Test summary:
Some things you may notice:
1. Run outs - they weren't suicidal, both were very close.
2. Ponting sixes - 3 behind square leg, 3 over cover, 1 over mid-wicket.
Seems a bit ridiculous, I think loft shot should be powered down
3. No balls -
Lol how was the AI on no balls?
Clarke, Hussey and Haddin all played 1 or 2 lofted shots as well that didn't quite carry over the ropes. Hussey was on the back foot driving it over mid-off, not a shot I'd expect to see in a test match!
As for the match, oh what fun I had.
Damn that Ricky Ponting, not once in either innings did I feel like I had a chance. Him launching sixes was just rubbing salt into the wound. Mind you, it was just as well Ponting scored those runs (269
not out in the match), the rest of the Australian batting order wasn't exactly clever in either innings.
All the wickets I took with the bowlers this innings felt so satisfying, although if I had to pick a favourite it would be Johnson. Swann bowling around the wicket, pitched on middle and off, turned just enough to miss Johnson's defensive shot and clipped off-stump. That one beat the feeling I got from getting Watson LBW with Swann in the first innings, just awesome. It probably felt even better because it gave me an outside chance of winning, then Ponting went and nailed a Flintoff no ball for six in the next over.....
I've already started the second test, but I'm going have a little break from that and play a T20 to test out how effective the lofted shots really are.