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Enlarge textEngland deserves credit where it's due.
Jimmy Anderson celebrates England's draw like a victory. (Getty Images)
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With the sun still shining on Sunday afternoon, England batsman James Anderson breathed out with relief, raised his arms in the air to acknowledge triumph, and unleashed a victory roar at his celebrating teammates watching his achievement from the Sophia Gardens pavilion.
Anderson The Conquerer had accomplished something worth celebrating.
So, too, had his teammates.
According to former England captain Mike Atherton, gushing in The Times, "English batsmanship - classic nose-to-the-grindstone, down-in-the-trenches, over-my-dead-body English batsmanship - finally showed its face on the fifth day in Cardiff. And what a welcome sight, in the ruddy features of Paul Collingwood, it was.
"Collingwood, unshaven, sunburnt and mired in sweat and dust, batted for 17 minutes shy of six hours, 245 balls of sheer bloody-mindedness and self-restraint, to take England to the brink of safety."
Well done, England. Jolly good show.
For four of five days of this First Test, your brave boys dug in with a stiff upper lip to ensure, steady on, chaps, that nothing much happened.
"Only cowards pray for rain," was one witty banner waved, presumably, by an Australia fan in the crowd on day four.
The premise was that the only thing that would/could save England from defeat in this Test was poor Welsh weather. Even English meteorology can't be relied upon these days, it seems.
The sadder thing was that from day two, England was slowing down the game and even received boos from the crowd for it. Let me note that again: day two.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting, smartly, said he wouldn't file an official complaint about England’s time-wasting tactics. As the Test wound down, with Australia desperately searching for one ball and one wicket to give them deserved victory, the brakes locked up.
In frankly comic scenes, England sent on their 12th man twice in the space of five minutes. The second occasion required the assistance of the team physio to perform the medically urgent task of nothing much.
"Our intentions were good," claimed England captain Andrew Strauss. "I don't think we were deliberately trying to waste a huge amount of time, that wasn't our tactic. The reality of the situation is that Australia didn't take that final wicket," Strauss said.
"There was a lot of confusion, to be fair. We first of all sent the 12th man out just to let Jimmy and Monty know about the fact there was time left rather than just the overs. Then there was drink spilt on his glove and Jimmy called up to the dressing room - we weren't sure whether he needed the 12th man or the physio. There was a lot of confusion, to be honest."
Strauss, though, is right. Australia failed in not taking the final wicket and so it will be written the series remains 0-0.
But the damage has been done to England, even if the scorecard remains untroubled.
Ponting may be frustrated at the outcome but will quietly know England raised a white flag very early in this series.
In a sport where the mental battle is a significant part of the duel, triumphantly celebrating mere survival is a sure path to be later eaten alive.
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Comments (19)
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21 Jul 2009 13:38 AEST
From: Croydon Victoria
2nd Ashes Test
I totally agree with comments in relation to the disgraceful umpiring decisions.On that non-catch, if Ponting had claimed a catch in the manner that Strauss did, he would have been crucified by the English media. It is a shame that the SBS TV coverage has been ruined by a biased commentary, and if Australia is to have one rep in the box, we need a strong personality like say,Ian Chappell. The only way to watch the present coverage is with the sound off.
20 Jul 2009 22:34 AEST
From: surf
20 Jul 2009 21:58 AEST
From: Great Western
Warne Sucks
If Warne went out to bowl he'd be bowling for the Poms. Listen to his drival on how WONDERFUL England is. Does he Know that the telecast is coming back to Australia.
20 Jul 2009 21:54 AEST
From: South Australia
Umpiring
How about we have the 5 batsmen given out which were not actually out (2 in the first innings 3 in the second) their bats back and lets see if we can finish off those 170 runs. Good show England? Hell no, Jolly good show umpires
20 Jul 2009 21:46 AEST
From: Townsville
How about commentator error?
As if the three "dismissals" weren't bad enough, Warne's commentary about how well England was doing on SBS TV was enough to make me turn off the TV ... and I love my cricket! Was he watching the same game that I was? I don't think so. He did not make one mention of the errors in umpiring (which is putting it politely) and praised the English team on their excellent skills. Get off the mobile phone Warney and watch the game.
20 Jul 2009 18:56 AEST
From: Melbourne
Strauss's Catch
Just wondering why all the focus is on the Umpires for their bad decisions. If Ricky Ponting (Australian Captain)had claimed that catch the English press, Indian Press and of course Tony Grieg would have accused him of being a cheat and poor sportsman. But when the English Captain does it it's the UMpires fault. I've played cricket for a lot of years and Strauss had to know that there was some doubt about whether it carried.
20 Jul 2009 18:10 AEST
From: Toowoomba
day four - second test
Andrew Strauss has now become Captain of cheat. and who is he cheating- himself? Not alone that- the English cricket team, and not only that- it is the English cricket body and followers as well as the world. He is also cheating umpires, who are only human. Does he still celebrate when he sees what the rest of the world sees- a grounded catch, a no ball dismissal, a wicket keeper non catch? This is the day of technology, Andrew. Dismissals are more that just an Umpire decision - they are video analysed, and you cheating is seen by all. Is this what cricket has become. A game of cheat! What are we teaching our young? Winning is everything- even if you are cheating officials, your own team, and your nation. How can you be proud of that. Aussies, stay honest, and keep your chin up and be proud
20 Jul 2009 16:06 AEST
From: Melbourne
Lunch and Tea Break Entertainment
Hey SBS, can we have more of the Matt Hardy interviews with the locals, in the breaks in play. Adds a bit more interest to what is going on over there. Like to hear what the locals are thinking and saying about what's going on in the game. We have our own opinions and it's great to get on the spot interviews and comments from celebrities and non celebrities alike. Keep up the good work and more Matt please.
20 Jul 2009 7:44 AEST
From: Adelaide
Umpiring
It's a shame when the umpires have got it blatantly wrong 3 times in Australia's second innings, and also with Ponting's dismissal in the first innings. Australia deserves to win from here, and despite Haddin's excellent batting, he is clearly not a good glove-man.
19 Jul 2009 22:42 AEST
From: tweed heads south
cricket
when are you guys going to learn to be good LOSERS ...when ya win great!!! when ya lose ya whing like poms.don't forget you still hold the record for unsportsman ship when you lot did the underarm at the kiwis very sportsmanship
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Sport, without spin, from around the world. Matthew Hall considers the issues behind the headlines and tells the stories that others don't.
Matthew Hall Sport, without spin, from around the world. Matthew Hall considers the issues behind the headlines and tells the stories that others don't. Matt is a writer, author, and filmmaker, originally from Perth, he now lives in Brooklyn, New York.
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