Story England's International Season [C07] - The 5th 3Mobile Ashes Test

[gamerkid22]

Aussies surely will lose this match as to defend for 1 day and 1 session is difficult.Nice presentation mate

 

[m_vaughan]

Resistance finally ended

Day 4 Stumps Update...

Lee, Hodge continue to frustate England
Brett Lee and Brad Hodge have continued the Australian resistance which have raised the hopes of their supporters. The Barmy Army can still be heard but its the Aussie supporters who are slowly getting louder and louder.

The England captain Michael Vaughan however has continued to keep an attacking field in an attempt to pick up a wicket.

Hoggard gets the breakthrough
Matthew Hoggard has dashed the faint comeback hopes of the Australians by dismissing Brett Lee.

Lee failed to pick up a slower delivery from Hoggard and as a result found his offstump rattled. A much needed breakthrough for England as the home side were really beginning to pile on the runs.

Brilliant half century for Hodge
Brad Hodge has scored a patient and gritty fifty under extremely difficult circumstances. It has been a fine knock from a player who has made a comeback into the Australian side and at a time when all the other players have failed miserably. And even though its highly unlikely that his team will be able to avoid defeat in this match, his effort has to be praised especially given the situation.

With Lee's wicket Hoggard is now joint top wicket-taker for England in this innings alongwith James Anderson.

So at Stumps on Day 4
Australia 133-8 from 75 Overs
England 437 all out from 98.1 Overs
Australia 364 all out from 112 Overs
England 245 all out from 56.4 Overs
(Australia need another 186 runs to win, 2 wickets in hand)

 

[surendar]

Thats too much attacking fielding! ( 7 fielders near the batsmen ) But clever tactics too! England are winning this one.. prbly within 30 more mins on Day5!

 

[gamerkid22]

186 to win with 2 wickets in hand . I hope Monty gets the 2 wickets tomorrow morning.

 

[plympilgrim]

england should win this by a country mile tomorrow

 

[m_vaughan]

England win Third Test

Hodge departs after fine knock
Brad Hodge who was the only positive from a dismal Australian second innings, was finally dismissed on 72 by Matthew Hoggard. The Yorkshireman picked up his fourth wicket of the innings with a sharp inswinging delivery.

Anderson picks up last wicket as England win by 157 runs
The Aussies did not last long on the 5th day and England wrapped up the game when Jimmy Anderson made Stuart Clark his fourth victim of the innings. Clark went for a swing and missed getting himself bowled as a result.

England celebrated their first win of the tour and one that keeps the series alive and very much on.

Hodge and Lee provided the only resistance for Australia in that disappointing second innings. Hoggard and Anderson each picked up four wickets while Panesar who got five in the first innings failed to pick even one.

Match Summary
Australia 161 all out from 77.2 Overs
England 437 all out from 98.1 Overs
Australia 364 all out from 112 Overs
England 245 all out from 56.4 Overs
(England win by 157 runs, Australia lead series 2-1, 2 matches remaining)

 

[m_vaughan]

Match Presentation

We started off well but were clearly second best in the second half of the test match and full credit to England for the way they came back. Pietersen's innings was fantastic and was in the end the difference between the two sides.

We will now have to go back and work harder in the nets and come back stronger in the next test. We still lead the series and another win will seal it.

Its great to be back and its even better to be back with a victory. The way we came back in the second innings was fantastic, beautiful knock from Kevin Pietersen first and then the combined effort of our seamers. The confidence is high and we are confident of continuing our good form in the remaining two tests.

Australia are a quality side and will come hard on us in the next game so we will have to be well prepared. All in all this result keeps us in the series and sets up a cracking end to it as well. I cant wait for the next game.

I am really pleased to be on the winning side because we have worked hard and given it our all. Beating Australia always requires something special, and our performance especially in the second innings was special. I am glad I could contribute to the team's win and the way Jimmy, Matthew and Harmy bowled yesterday and today was sensational. All in all its feels great to have won this game and we want continue for the remaining two games.

I thought the wicket was best for batting on the second and third day. In our first innings we did suffer to compete with the pace and hence mistimed a lot of our shots, but in the second innings the wicket had become much better for batting and that did help.

 

[mehkar]

congrats england
nice work pal keep it up

 

[m_vaughan]

Events leading up to the Fourth Test

Ponting under pressure
The Australian captain Ricky Ponting has come under a lot of criticism from the media and press following his team's 157 run defeat at the hands of England in the third Ashes test.

Ponting decision to persist with Michael Clarke in the second innings despite proving to be highly ineffective and expensive was questioned and criticised. Channel 9 commentator Bill Lawry described this as "suicidal and stupid" while Melbourne Times correspondent Robert Grey said it was "a victory gift to England".

Hodge to miss Melbourne test
Australian batsman Brad Hodge will not play in the fourth Ashes test after injuring his neck during training.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson confirmed this and said there was a "zero percent" chance of Hodge recovering before Boxing Day.

Hodge was called in to replace the retired Damien Martyn for the third test at Perth which Australia lost by 157 runs. Hodge scored 39 and 72 in the match.

Flintoff returns for England
England allrounder Andrew Flintoff who captained the side in the first two Ashes tests and missed the third due to injury is set to play in the Boxing Day test match at the MCG.

The England physio confirmed that Flintoff had recovered fully and was hence available for selection. It would be interesting to see however who England drop to accomodate Flintoff.

Australia replace Hodge with Symonds
Cricket Australia has named allrounder Andrew Symonds as the replacement for the injured Brad Hodge. Hodge suffered a nasty neck injury while training and had been ruled out for the fourth test.

Australia squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist (wkt), Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Glenn McGrath, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken.

 

[m_vaughan]

Pietersen best in the world - Fletcher

England coach Duncan Fletcher hailed his explosive middle order batsman Kevin Pietersen as the best player in the world.

"The impact he has had since his first game has been simply unbelievable. He scores a big knock in every other game and has a brilliant strike rate.

Honestly speaking I dont see any other player who comes anywhere near him at the moment and am pleased that he is playing for England," said Fletcher.

Kevin Pietersen scored a magnificent 182 against Australia in the third Ashes test at Perth which England won by 157 runs.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Pietersen best in the world - Fletcher

England coach Duncan Fletcher hailed his explosive middle order batsman Kevin Pietersen as the best player in the world.



"The impact he has had since his first game has been simply unbelievable. He scores a big knock in every other game and has a brilliant strike rate.

Honestly speaking I dont see any other player who comes anywhere near him at the moment and am pleased that he is playing for England," said Fletcher.

Kevin Pietersen scored a magnificent 182 against Australia in the third Ashes test at Perth which England won by 157 runs.

Duncan Fletcher Has Forget Mike Hussey .

 

[gamerkid22]

Fletcher is absolutely right Pietersen is the best batsmen in the world . Freddie returns now the boxing day test will be intersting.

 

[surendar]

Nice win for England! Return of Symonds for Hodge enhances the strength for Aussies. Series nicely balanced atm but still Engalnad have to work hard!

Pietersen best in the world

Though i like KP a lot, infact next to Sachin and SteveWaugh, One of the best wud make more meaning than best alone!

As WC mentioned, Hussey has displayed amazing performance equally!

 

[MWaugh]

steve waugh doesnt play anymore so he cant be counted in the best or one of the best in the world. saying he is "the best in the world" means that he is the best player in the world at the current time, when the statement is made. its quite a solid statement, i would agree with it

 

[surendar]

steve waugh doesnt play anymore so he cant be counted in the best or one of the best in the world.

actually i meant, Next to Sachin & S.Waugh, i like KP i.e favourite players