Ashes series – Lords – 18/07/2013 day 1 At the sound of the five minute bell, ringing out from the Bowlers Bar, via the “flinty eyed one”, the Vicar and Colonel Blimph, removed themselves from the Long Room bar, to their seats, on the terrace, hoping to witness another highly charged Ashes test. England won the toss, and elected to bat. One England team change, Bresnan, in for Finn, while Australia, had two; Khawaja, for Cowen, and Harris for Starc. A 15 minute delay ensued as the HRH the Queen, was introduced to both teams in front the old Pavilion. Play started at 1115 hrs, and Cook making he mark with a four off the second ball of the day bowled by Pattinson. With the dry weather the the outfield was a lot faster than it had been during the early months of the season where it had been re-laid following the Olympics. After two overs from Pattinson, Watson was thrown the ball, and with his second ball, nailed Cook, plumb in front for 12, no review. England 18-1 (5th over). Trott, at three, soon off the mark with a first ball four. In the sixth over Joe Root, is hammered on the pads by Ryan Harris, finger up, DRS in action, as a suspected thin edge, the third umpire upholds the field umpire, and Joe’s on way his for 6. 26-2. Pietersen, arrives, feathers a slight seaming ball from Harris, not a good shot, as KP seemed in two minds as to what to play. Pietersen ct Haddin bwld Harris 2. 28-3. Bell and Trott, start to repair the damage, by taking England to 80-3 at lunch, and passing their 50 partnership as well. Australia’s session. The vicar and Colonel, exit for nerve calming. Trott and Bell, continue their good work after lunch, with the former bring up his fifty in the 30th over, but four overs later, the same player top edged whilst hooking Harris, and was caught at deep square leg by Khawaja for 58. 127-4 (34th over). Bairstow, joins Bell at the crease, in which turns out to be a beautiful friendship, and puts the boys from Down Under on the back foot. Ian Bell brings up his 50 in the 44th over. Then in the 50th over Bairstow, is bowled by Siddle, HOLD IT, HOLD IT, umpire checking upstairs for a front foot position. Confirmed NO BALL, by a millimetre. The Colonel, throws his Pimms, over a member in the row in front. PHEW. Count yourself lucky Jonny boy, you played across the line, to straight one!!!! The pair get to tea, and bring up their 50 partnership, in the 51st over. At tea England who clearly won that session are 183-4. The two proud English batsmen continued their good work, with Bell punishing Pattinson for 16 in the 59th over. By the 63rd over the dynamic duo brought up the century partnership, and Jonny’s 50. Ian Bell, by the 75th over brought up his magnificent century, and in do so, joins only three others who have scored three consecutive 100’s in Ashes tests, Jack Hobbs, Wally Hammond, and Chris Broad. Finally this wonderful innings came to an end Clarke, brought on Steve Smith in to the attack and the leg spinner, produced an excellent ball and Bell edged to the Aussie skipper for 109. England 271-5. (77 overs). Four overs later the Smith, again, accounted for Bairstow, with a caught and bowled, with a full toss, to end a fine innings of 67. England 274-6. Matt Prior, came and went for 6, as he edged a good leg break from Smith taken by Haddin. 263-7. Is having a night-watchman for two tail enders a first? Some chortling from our two friends!! Bresnan and Anderson, saw out the remaining over, with England on 289-7, with the batsmen 7and 4 not out respectively. View from the Armchair
Posted on: Fri, 19 Jul 2013 07:48:05 +0000
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