THE GREAT ESCAPE

 

Image Credit- The Guardian.

Venue- Sophia Gardens, Cardiff [July 2009].

In July-August 2009, Australian Cricket Team toured England to play Ashes. The last edition of the Ashes Series which took place in Australia ended in a 5-0 win for the hosts. As a result, the Aussies were determined to win in England and keep the prestigious urn with them, whereas the English wanted to regain the Urn just like they did in 2005. 

On a batting friendly wicket, English Captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat first. However soon the hosts found themselves in trouble as they were reduced to 90/3. But a partnership of 138 runs between Pietersen and Collingwood brought England back into the game. Collingwood and Pietersen were eventually dismissed for 64 and 69 respectively as the English Scorecard read 241/5. From this stage onwards, Flintoff and Prior joined the party. Matt Prior scored a quickfire 56, whereas Flintoff scored a gritty 37. At last Swann too scored a valuable 47 as the English were ultimately bowled out for 435 runs in their first innings. 

In response the Aussies amassed a massive 674 in their first innings. Ricky Ponting played a captain's knock as he scored a brilliant 150 of 224 deliveries. His innings consisted of 14 boundaries and 1 six. Apart from Ponting, Katich, North and Haddin too scored a brilliant 100. Michael Clarke was unlucky as he was dismissed at the score of 83. The English Bowling attack was put to sword by the Aussies at Wales. 

Ricky Ponting called England to bat with nearly 4 sessions remaining to play. The Hosts got the worst possible start as they were reduced to 17/2 at the end of 6 overs.  However, play concluded for the day as rain began to fall, leaving England 219 runs behind the Aussie total.

After starting the game on 20/2, England lost three quick wickets in the first 90 minutes of the fifth day and at the end of first session their score read 102/5.  However, that day Paul Collingwood batted for 5 hours and 43 minutes and endured 245 balls before being caught at gully by Michael Hussey for 74. It was one of his finest performances, but the game was still hanging in between. 

Eventually it was James Anderson and Monty Panesar's last wicket partnership which successfully batted England into a lead. The Hosts were successful in drawing the game as they batted till 6:40 in the evening. It is interesting to note that that there was a roar from the crowd after the English played every single dot ball. 

The Aussies came so close to winning a test but failed to do so. The Ashes Drama at its very Best. 

To watch the highlights of that test match, Click Here.

To watch the highlights of the partnership between Panesar and Anderson, Click Here.