Australia Cruise to Victory in Clarke's Farewell Test, but lose the Ashes

Fifth Investec Ashes Test, The Oval, London, Aug 20-23, 2015

                                                                         Australia had already lost the Ashes at Trent Bridge and Clarke, being plagued with injuries and most importantly, the recent slump in form announced just after the debacle in Trent Bridge that he will retire at the end of 5^thTest at Oval. Clarke was not the only one to retire though as Veteran opener Chris Rogers too, was set to retire after the conclusion of 5^th Ashes Test. Clarke who was heavily criticized over his team selection in the 4^th Test, tried to get his team combinations right this time around as he brought back Mitchell Marsh in place of his brother Shaun and Workhorse Peter Siddle replaced Hazlewood. Winning team England made no changes in their side as they put Australia into bat after winning the toss on a green looking pitch. England seamers were spot on during first hour of play as Australia just managed 19 runs off 14 overs, but, most importantly from Australia’s point of view, they didn’t lose a single wicket. Hard work done during the first hour brought Australian openers some good fruits as by the time it was lunch on Day 1, Australia had reached 82/0 with David Warner registering yet another Test match fifty and Rogers unbeaten on 27. Australia’s performance in the first session was impressive taking into consideration the bowling-friendly conditions and that, certainly calmed down the nerves within the dressing room, especially after two consecutive dreadful first innings performances with the bat from the previous two Tests. After lunch, England got their first success as Wood got rid of Rogers for 43, Cook holding on to a catch after initial fumble and Australia were 110/1. Smith, who came in at the fall of Rogers’s wicket was peppered with the balls outside of his off-stump, but, learning from his previous mistakes, showed great discipline this time around and brought up a fifty-run partnership alongside David warner. Moeen Ali brought an end to Warner-Smith partnership, dismissing Warner with a well-flighted delivery for 85. Warner played extremely well, curbing his natural instincts at the start of his innings and was utterly disappointed at missing out on his well-deserved hundred. Skipper Michael Clarke was the next man in and received a huge standing ovation as he made out his way to bat in his final Test appearance.

Guard of honour-Clarke walks out to bat in his final Test

English players appreciating Clarke’s achievements and greatness, welcomed him to the middle with a guard of honour and it was a moment for all the cricket fans to cherish. Michael Clarke gave us the glimpses of his old self as he danced down the wicket to Moeen Ali, hitting back straight over his head for a wonderful boundary. Australia, at Tea, were 184/2 with Clarke unbeaten on 14. Clarke’s stay at the crease was short lived though as just after Tea, Stokes got rid of him just for 15 and there was a sense of disappointment within the Australian contingent of the crowd as they had all gathered in numbers to see their skipper play well in his final Test. Voges, coming in at No.5, joined Smith and the duo build a steady partnership. In the meanwhile, Smith brought up his fifty with a fluent cover drive and at the other end, Voges too was finding his rhythm, especially after having a disappointing series so far. By the time the day ended, the partnership of Voges and Smith had already crossed the 100-run mark as Australia found themselves in a respectable position at 287/3 with Smith unbeaten on 78.

                                                                       After being in a good position at the end of Day 1, it was important for Australia to consolidate on Day 2 and Australia did just that as Voges brought up his fifty and Australia’s tally went past 300. But, after playing so well, Voges was dismissed for 76, LBW to Stokes just before the drinks break and his wicket brought an end to 146-run stand between him and Smith. The comeback man Mitchell Marsh didn’t last long as he departed just for 3, becoming Steven Finn’s 100^th Test wicket.

Smith acknowledges the crowd after his 11th Test Hundred

Steve Smith, when on 99, played the ball towards mid-on and ran hard as he celebrated his 11^th Test hundred, 2^nd of the series and 2^nd at the same venue. But, he was lucky to get there as he was out, but to a no-ball earlier in the day and made full utilization of the reprieve that he got. Moeen Ali spun his web around just at the stroke of lunch as he got rid of both Nevill and Johnson in space of just 3 deliveries and Australia were reduced to 376/7 going into lunch on Day 2. If England had a good first session, Australia dominated the afternoon session as Starc and Smith dictated their terms on English bowlers. Starc, in particular, played an entertaining brand of cricket as he scored quick fire 58, putting pressure back on England. Smith too, was in a sort of one-day mode and was eventually dismissed for fabulous 143. Soon after Smith’s dismissal, Australia’s innings folded for 481 and England could blame themselves for allowing Australia to drag their total from 376/7 to 481.

                                                                      With no Hazlewood in the side, Starc and Johnson opened the bowling for Australia and England’s opener Adam Lyth was under immense pressure to score some runs as he had only managed 86 runs from previous four Tests.  Alastair Cook, after a promising start, departed just at the stroke of Tea for 22, bowled off Lyon by a delivery that spun sharply and England, at Tea, were 30/1, trailing by mammoth 451 runs. The post-Tea session turned out to be a disastrous one for England as they lost as many as 7 wickets.

Peter Siddle made the difference 

The workhorse Peter Siddle, the man who was making a comeback after being on the sidelines for four Tests on the trot, set the tone with two wickets at the top as he got Lyth just off his second ball and cleaned up Ian Bell with an absolute beauty to leave England in trouble at 60/3. England’s man in form Joe Root followed Bell as he departed just for 6 and England were tottering at 64/4. Bairstow fell to Johnson for 13 and in the very next over, Lyon bowled Buttler with a classic off-spinner’s delivery as England found themselves in disarray at 84/6. Ben Stokes played a poor shot, trying to pull Mitchell Marsh, but, just managed a top-edge and Keeper Nevill did the rest. Stuart Broad just lasted for four deliveries as England found themselves in a hopeless position at 107/8 at stumps on day 2.

                                                                          The  57-run stand for the 9^th wicket between Moeen Ali and Mark Wood turned out to be the highest partnership of the innings for England as Johnson finally wrapped up the England innings for 149, dismissing Wood and M Ali off consecutive deliveries and with a lead of over 300 runs and rain forecast predicted on Day 4 and Day 5, Michael Clarke enforced the follow-on. This was the first instance of Michael Clarke enforcing the follow-on as he had refrained from doing so on all the previous four occasions.

                                                                         England, following on, got off to a poor start as Lyth departed just for 10 and his miserable Ashes series came to an end as he failed on all the 9 occasions. Ian Bell, coming in at No.3, joined Cook and the two senior men had to really play out of their skin if they were to make Australia bat again. Ian Bell was nowhere near to his best and was lucky to get a life as Clarke dropped him at second slip when he was just on 3. However, Ian Bell couldn’t capitalize on the life presented to him and Clarke himself caught Bell at 2^nd slip off Marsh for 13 and England were reduced to 62/2. In the meanwhile, Alastair Cook was playing a patient innings as he worked Johnson off his hips for a single to deep square leg and brought up his 44^th Test fifty. England’s man in form Joe Root was the next man to go as Johnson’s rising delivery did the trick and was caught down the throat of fine leg for 11 and England were uncomfortably placed at 99/3, still trailing by 233 runs. Bairstow and Cook were desperately trying to stitch a partnership, but, managed to add only 41 runs as Bairstow fell to Lyon for 26, Voges taking a wobbling catch at short-leg. In the very same over, Stokes fell to Lyon as well for a duck and England were in all sorts of trouble at 140/5. Wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler, who was terribly out of form with the bat joined Cook and Alastair Cook needed someone to bat along with him if England were to take the game into Day 4. Jos Buttler, though tentative and not so sure about his technique and footwork, most importantly managed to stick around and ably supported his skipper. Just when it looked like Cook and Buttler would see off the day, Clarke made a brilliant bowling change as he asked Steven Smith to roll his arm over and bowling change fetched Australia a wicket, a big wicket, that of England captain Alastair Cook, who played so well for his hard-earned 85. Australia were delighted to see the back of Cook as his wicket made their life much simpler going into Day 4. England, at stumps on Day 3, were 203/6, still 129 runs away from making Australia bat again.

                                                                      Australia, on Day 4, made early inroads as Siddle trapped Mark Wood LBW for 6 and Marsh got rid of Buttler for 42, Starc taking a low dying catch at mid-off and Australia were just 2 wickets away from a consolation victory. Broad joined Moeen Ali and they stitched a partnership, trying to prolong the inevitable. With England at 258/8, heavy rains came down and umpires took the players off the field, much to the excitement of English supporters within the crowd. But, for Clarke, Rogers and most importantly Australia’s sake, rain stopped and play resumed. Australian players desperately wanted to give their skipper a happy send-off with a victory and after the rain break, it didn’t take much long as Siddle finished the clean-up business, taking the wickets of both, Broad and M Ali as Australia cruised to an innings and 46 runs victory within 4 days. After the Test match was over, it was a moment to savour as Australian team gave their skipper a guard of honour as he left the field for one final time. Skipper Clarke and veteran Rogers must have had mixed feelings as they did manage to win in their farewell Test, but, the Ashes were gone as Australia failed for the 4^th consecutive time on the English soil.

 

England rejoice their Ashes triumph

SCORES:

AUSTRALIA     481

ENGLAND       149   &  286

AUSTRALIA WON by an innings & 46 runs.

ENGLAND WIN THE ASHES 3-2.

Player of the Match: S Smith

Players of the Series: C Rogers and J Root

                                                                                 

Chris Rogers: Career Highlights

One of the most important thing in life is to achieve those things which other people think you can't and then, when one not only achieves them but also succeeds, it becomes a great success story. The career of Australian veteran opening batsman Chris Rogers is a similar story where he made his debut at the age of 30 against India at Perth in 2008, to be dropped and ignored by selectors for 5 and half long years. But, Rogers’s never say die attitude kept him pushing and with tons of first class runs and no settled openers for Australia, selectors had no other option but to recall 35-year old Rogers for the away Ashes Series in July 2013. Learning from previous mistakes, Rogers grabbed his opportunity with both hands as he never looked back from then on and now stands at the end of short but successful Test Career as he plans to retire at the end of 5^th Test of the ongoing Ashes series at Oval.

Debut:

Matthew Hayden’s hamstring injury paved the way for Chris Rogers as he made his debut on 16 January 2008 against India on his home ground at WACA, Perth. Rogers had a disappointing debut as he contributed only 4 and 15 with the bat and Australia lost the Test by 72 runs. Rogers’s dismal show with the bat and with Hayden getting fit in time for 4^th Test at Adelaide saw Rogers being dropped and he had to wait for another five and half long years to earn his second Test cap.

Rogers’s Second Coming:-

Back to Back Ashes, 2013 & 2013-14:

With problems at the top, Australian selectors preferred experience over young blood and Chris Rogers, at the age of 35 made the cut for England trip as Australia were keen to regain the Ashes. With just couple of fifties in three Tests, Rogers was having an ordinary series till Manchester Test and then came his moment, the moment he thought would never come as he brought up his maiden Test hundred in fourth Test at Chester-le-street amidst difficult times.

Rogers celebrates his maiden Test Hundred, 10 Aug 2013

His innings was full of character, grit and determination as he repaid the faith of selectors and showed everyone that he certainly belonged to this level. However, Australia’s hopes of regaining the Ashes remained as a distant dream as England won the Ashes 3-0.

Series Stats:

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	50	100
5	9	367	40.77	2	1

Performances in England helped Rogers to keep his place in the side intact for the Ashes series down under as Australia were desperate to end the draught by winning the first Test of the year. Rogers, similar to Ashes series in England, managed just couple of fifties from first three tests, but, the boxing-day Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground proved to be the biggest turning point as far as his Test career was concerned.

Turning point of his Career, century at MCG, 29 Dec 2013

Rogers scored gritty 61 runs in first innings and brilliant 116 in second innings as he lead Aussies to a dominant 8-wicket victory over England and gave them unassailable 4-0 lead in the 5-match series. Second Test hundred paved the way for third as Rogers struck fabulous 119 at Sydney to complete demolition as Australia humiliated England with a 5-0 whitewash, last test lasting barely for 3 days. By the end of Ashes Series down under, Chris Rogers was already a hero and his method and technique though old and ugly was well appreciated within the cricket fraternity.

Series Stats:

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	50	100
5	10	463	46.30	3	2

Against South Africa in South Africa, Feb-Mar 2014:

The series against South Africa was a tough one for Chris Rogers as he was close to be dropped from the side. With the scores of 4, 1 & 5 from three previous innings and with a daunting target of 448 runs against quality South African attack, Rogers was under enormous pressure in 2^nd innings of 2^nd Test. But, Test Cricket is not for the weakened heart and Chris Rogers stood tall with a gutsy 107 as all other chips fell all around him. His 107 was in vein though as Australia lost the match badly, but, he showed everyone that he is a big match player and had the temperament to rise to the occasion especially, when his team needed him the most. Australia won the 3-match series 2-1.

Series Stats:

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	50	100
3	6	181	30.16	0	1

Against Pakistan in UAE, Oct-Nov 2014:

Chris Rogers, just like majority of his other team-mates had a disappointing series with the bat. Rogers scored 38 and 43 in the first Test while barely managed 5 & 2 in the second Test as Australia got hammered 2-0.

Series Stats:

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	50	100
2	4	88	22	0	0

Against India at Home, Dec-Jan 2014-15:

With disastrous series against Pakistan and being at the wrong side of his age, Chris Rogers’s place in the side was in doubt for the home series against India. However, with his hundred for Victoria against South Australia, he impressed the selectors once again and managed to keep his place in the side. He had an ordinary first Test at Adelaide as he scored only 9 & 21. But, the bad days were behind him and Rogers hit 6 fifties in as many innings from the next 3 Tests and became the Mr. Consistent for Australia. Rogers narrowly missed out on his hundred in the 4^th Test at SCG as he was bowled for 95. Rogers had a good summer with the bat as Australia clinched Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 2-0 win and slowly, but surely the nation was coming out of Hughes’s tragic death incidence that left the entire Cricketing World shell-shocked just at the start of summer.

Series Stats:

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	50	100
4	8	417	52.12	6	0

Chris Rogers missed a two-match series against West Indies in June 2015 in the Caribbean due to concussion.

Farewell Series, Ashes, England 2015:

Rogers was making a comeback after concussion and had already announced that Ashes series would be his last international assignment. Rogers started off the series well with a patient 95, but Australia’s batting failure in both the innings saw them lose the first Test at Cardiff by 169 runs.

Rogers is ecstatic after reaching his hundred, Lord's, 16 July 2015

In the 2^nd Test at Lord’s, probably came the proudest moment for Chris Rogers as he struck magnificent 173 at his second home ground and Australia annihilated England by 405 runs to square the series. Chris Rogers’s 52 in first innings at Birmingham was the only thing for Australia to cheer about as Anderson’s six-for crushed Australia for mere 136. Rogers’s innings was all about skill, application and temperament as he batted along focusing on his job, forgetting all the chaos that was happening all around him. Rogers hit another fifty in 2^nd innings of 4^th Test, but, that wasn’t enough as Australia were comprehensively beaten in both 3^rd and 4^th Test, thanks to collective batting failure.  Rogers, Warner and Smith were the only Australian batsmen who looked who could score some runs.

Chris Rogers makes his way out to bat in his final Test, Oval, 20 Aug 2015

In the ongoing Oval Test, his final one, Chris Rogers scored 43 in the first innings and let’s hope he scores some more runs in his final innings and bows out of International cricket with a victory against his name.

Series Stats:

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	50	100
5*	9	480	60	3	1

Career Stats:

Matches	Innings	Runs	HS	Average	50	100
25*	48	2015	173	42.87	14	5

Chris Rogers’s career is an inspirational story not only for budding cricketers but also for senior sportspersons who are passionate about their game and are willing to put the hard work at each and every stage of their career. Neither his colour blindness nor his age stopped him from chasing his dreams as his calm presence at the top would be certainly missed by Australia, especially by his opening partner David Warner.

WELL DONE CHRIS ROGERS!!!

ENGLAND REGAIN THE ASHES

Fourth Investec Ashes Test, Trent Bridge, Nottingham, Aug 6-8, 2015

After a demoralizing defeat at Birmingham, Australia desperately needed at least a draw at Nottingham to keep their hopes of retaining the Ashes alive while England, on the contrary were just one win away from regaining the little urn that they had lost under one of the most horrendous circumstances down under just 18 months earlier. On a green looking pitch, England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and decided to bowl first. With Anderson out due to side strain, Wood was making a comeback and in Anderson’s absence, onus was on Stuart Broad to lead the English attack. Australia’s first innings was a story of just 94 minutes and how the fragile batting order collapsed like the house of cards. Not a single Australian batsman showed any kind of application as Australia were shot out just for 60.

 Broad returned with career best figures of 8/15.

Australia’s show with the bat was pathetic and even worse than their first innings performance at Birmingham as Broad stole the show not only with career best figures but also best bowling figures at Trent Bridge of 8/15. The most glaring stat of Australia’s batting was innings extras as 14 extras top-scored for Australia.

 England went into lunch at 13/0 and had one of the most perfect sessions in the history of Test Cricket. Adam Lyth’s poor run with the bat continued as he fell to Starc just for 14. Starc got rid of Bell as well with a full, in-swinging yorker and England were reduced to 34/2. In-form Joe Root joined Cook and the duo wiped off the deficit without any trouble. They brought their 50-run stand just off 51 balls and just when Cook was starting to look good, Starc struck back with yet another full, swinging delivery and English captain was on his way for 43. With Bairstow in at No.5, Clarke brought back Johnson and similar to Birmingham, Johnson unleashed his short-ball stuff, but, Bairstow was better equipped to handle it this time around and negotiated the spell without any damage done. Bairstow gained confidence as he batted along and partnership of Root and Bairstow started to grow in stature as Australian bowlers toiled hard without any success. In the evening session, England scored at more than 4 runs per over as Bairstow brought his first fifty of the series and Root was nearing yet another Test hundred. Soon, 

Root exults after his hundred

Root brought up his hundred, 8^th of his career, 3^rd against Australia, with a boundary through vacant backward of point region as whole of enthusiastic Nottingham crowd gave this boy a standing ovation, a boy who made a fabulous debut at Nagpur two and half years ago and the person who became talking point of English cricket in such a small span of time. Following their respective milestones, the duo marched along as they brought up their 150-run stand just off 179 balls as English lead approached whooping 200 on Day 1 itself. Bairstow who played so well, couldn’t see the off the day though and was out for well-made 74, caught at square leg off Hazlewood in the dying minutes of day’s play and England were 274/4, leading by 214 runs at stumps on Day 1 with centurion Root unbeaten on 124.

Root, who played brilliantly on Day 1 was finally dismissed for 130, being able to add just 6 runs to his overnight score as Starc got his 4^th wicket. Starc once again in his very next over, took his 5^th scalp as he uprooted night-watchman Wood’s leg-stump with a deadly yorker and England’s scorecard read 306/6. Wicket-Keeper Buttler and Ben Stokes didn’t last long either as they were dismissed by Starc and Hazlewood respectively off consecutive overs and England were reduced to 332/8. With 8 wickets down, just like previous Tests, it was similar story for Australia as Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad wagged with the bat before Steven Smith took a stunning catch to get rid of Moeen Ali for entertaining 24-ball 38 off Johnson and at 391/9, Cook made an excellent declaration, just at the stroke of lunch, leaving Australian openers tricky 10-15 minutes of play before lunch on day 2. Openers Rogers and Warner negotiated the 3 overs safely before lunch and reached 14/0 at lunch, trailing England by mammoth 317 runs. Starc got 6 wickets in England’s first innings, but, the worst part of Australia’s bowling was that all the bowlers including Starc had an economy rate of more than 4 runs per over and that meant the game was almost out of Australia’s reach in no time what so ever.

 With 317 more runs required to make England bat again, Australia knew they had to play out of their skin to give themselves any chance and once again Australia’s hopes rested on in-form openers Rogers and Warner to fire and give them a positive start. Aussie openers did respond with a century opening stand, but, thanks to England as well as Warner got lucky being dropped at slips not once, but twice and Rogers was out to a no-ball. But, soon, Aussies ran out of luck as Rogers was out for 52, Root taking a blinder of a catch in slip cordon. Warner continued to repeat the same mistake as he chipped the ball straight in the air, trying to pull and was out for 64. After dismissing openers, Durham boy Ben Stokes got his third scalp when Shaun Marsh departed just for 2, Root taking a regulation catch at 3^rd slip. Three down soon became four down as Smith became the latest casualty, Stokes taking a sharp catch at short-point off Broad and Australia, after that 113-run opening stand between Rogers and warner, slumped to 138/4 at Tea on day 2. Out of form Batsmen Clarke and 35-year old Voges resumed the evening session for Australia as both of them were under enormous pressure to score runs and the match situation demanded them to pile runs big time if Australia were to have any chance of saving the match.

The moment when Clarke fell cheaply yet again

Michael Clarke battled hard, battled against his own form, battled against match situation, but it was not enough as wood ended Clarke’s 37-ball resistance and Australia found themselves in dire straits at 174/5. Adam Voges and Wicket-Keeper batsman Nevill tried to resurrect the innings with a 50-run partnership before Stokes trapped Nevill LBW for 17. Nevill paid the price for offering no shot and Australia were in deep, deep trouble at 224/6, still 107 runs away from making England bat again. Mitchell Johnson was the 7^th Australian batsman to bite the dust and became Stokes’s 5^th scalp as Australia slumped to 241/7 at stumps on day 2. If Broad was England’s hero on day 1, day 2 belonged to Ben Stokes as he put on exhibition a classic spell of swing bowling and once again Australia’s fragile batting order collapsed against England’s quality swing bowling.

 It just took England 41 minutes to polish off the Australian tail on day 3 as wood bowled No.11 Lyon and there were jubilant scenes all around the English camp as England regained the Ashes, making a mockery of Australia’s challenge.

Proud moment for England as they regain the Ashes

SCORES:

AUSTRALIA      60    &   253

ENGLAND        391/9 d

ENGLAND WON by an innings & 78 runs.

ENGLAND LEAD 3-1 & REGAIN the ASHES.

Player of the match: S Broad  

From Hopeless Defeat to Emphatic Victory

Third Investec Ashes Test, Edgbaston, Birmingham, July 29-31, 2015

Warwickshire’s home ground Edgbaston in Birmingham hosted the third Ashes Test and England, after suffering a humiliating defeat at Lord’s made a couple of changes in their playing Xi. Bairstow replaced Ballance and Finn earned a Test recall in place of Wood. Australia, on the other hand retained Peter Nevill, keeping Haddin out of the side and Chris Rogers was fit to play, putting to rest all the injury concerns and the drama surrounding whether he would play or not. The pitch at Birmingham looked greener and in spite of overcast conditions, Michael Clarke after winning the toss, elected to bat first. David Warner, after surviving the run-out scare was trapped in front of the wickets in the very third over of the match and Australia were 7/1. Steven Finn, who was making a comeback in English Test side after two long years made early inroads as he not only accounted for Lord’s double centurion S Smith but also Aussie captain Michael Clarke. Clarke was bowled off a Finn Yorker and his dismissal was similar to his own dismissal, co-incidentally at the same venue in the 2005 Ashes series and Steve Harmison was the bowler back then. With Smith and Clarke back in the hut cheaply, Australia were reduced to 34/3 and England were clearly on top. Rain interruption curtailed the morning session as only 19 overs were bowled and Australia were 72/3 at lunch on Day 1. Following lunch, after some more rain interruption, play finally resumed and Anderson wrecked havoc as he dismissed Voges, Mitch Marsh, Nevill and Johnson in space of just 17 runs and Australia collapsed to 94/7. Anderson showed why he is one of the best swing bowler as he put on display classic spell of swing bowling with a mix of in swingers and out swingers that completely bamboozled the Australian batsmen. In the midst of all the chaos, veteran batsman Chris Rogers hold the fort from one end and brought up his patient half century. But, soon after getting to his fifty, Rogers played down the wrong line and missed a straight one from Broad and was out LBW for 52.England, soon cleaned up the tail as Australia were shot out just for 136 on Day 1 and Anderson returned with figures of 6/47.

After a dismal show at Lord’s, English bowlers made a grand comeback and now it was the turn of batsmen to deliver. Adam Lyth’s poor series continued as he flashed at a wide one and Voges managed to hold on to a catch at first slip after initial fumble and England were 19/1.With Garry Ballance dropped, Bell was assigned the new No.3 position and he was hoping that change in batting order would bring change to his fortunes and he desperately needed some runs to keep his place in the side. Bell looked determined and positive from the word go. Cook and Bell brought up their 50-run partnership with flurry of boundaries as England were comfortably cruising towards Australia’s 136. But, with England at 76/1, Cook was facing Lyon and Voges took a sensational catch at short leg to get rid of England captain. Cook was in complete disbelief but had to depart for 34. Bell was in full flow and brought up his fifty just of 51 balls with a classic cover drive as crowd applauded his fighting effort. Bell needed that fifty, England desperately wanted Bell to get back in form and Bell didn’t let the selectors down not only for backing him but also entrusting him with crucial No.3 position. However, Bell couldn’t see the day off as he was dismissed at the very fag end of the day for 53. Bell, dancing down the wicket to Lyon was beaten in flight and miscued the ball straight into the air and Warner took a good catch running backwards. Rain brought an end to day’s play and at stumps on day 1, England were in a commanding position at 133/3,trailing just by 3 runs, with Root and Bairstow unbeaten on 30 and 1 respectively.

After completely dominating the rain-marred day 1, it was important for England to build on the momentum on day 2 as well, but, Johnson had some other ideas and in the very second over of the day, England suffered two crucial setbacks.

Johnson celebrates his 300th Test scalp

Bairstow became Johnson’s 300^th Test scalp and Stokes 301^st as both of them found Johnson’s rising delivery extremely uncomfortable and England who resumed the day at 133/3 were reduced to 142/5. Root continued his rich vein of form and brought up his fifty at better than run a ball. But, on 63, Root suffered a lapse in concentration as he chased a wide one from Starc and was caught at first slip by Voges. Buttler too, fell soon after Root’s dismissal and England were in a bit of bother at 190/7, leading Australia just by 54 runs. Moeen Ali and Broad found a way to survive and went into lunch unseparated and England were 221/7, leading by 85 runs. The session though, belonged to Australia as they were able to rip 4 English wickets and Johnson spearheaded the Aussie fightback. After lunch, Ali and Broad played well and stitched a vital 87-run stand before Broad fell to Hazlewood for 31. Hazlewood also got rid of Moeen Ali for 59 and England were bowled out for 281, bagging an useful lead of 145 runs. With a tally of 281, England could well blame themselves for missed opportunity of piling huge first innings score considering their positon at 133/3, but, at the same time, could well call themselves lucky to reach that far as at one point of time, they were tottering at 190/7.

With a deficit of 145 runs, Australia needed a big opening partnership in their 2^nd innings, but, it was not to be as they suffered an early setback when Rogers was trapped in front just for 6 and Australia were 1/17. With in-form Rogers gone and middle order fragile, now the responsibility rested on the shoulders of flamboyant Warner and the man in his purple patch, S Smith. S Smith played patiently before Steven Finn’s rising delivery climbed on him and was unable to control the pull shot and the ball went straight up in the air and keeper Buttler did the rest. At the other end though, it was an altogether different story as Warner raced to his fifty just off 35 balls, equaling fastest Ashes fifty and his hit to the fence off the last ball before Tea signaled complete warner dominance as Australia took Tea at 73/2, still trailing by 72 runs. In the evening session, Finn ripped through Australia’s middle order as he got rid of out of form Clarke and Voges off consecutive deliveries. Mitchell Marsh became Finn’s next scalp as the ball passed through his defenses and was cleaned bowled as Australia once again, similar to first innings, collapsed to 92/5. Warner, Australia’s last hope and the man who played so well, departed for 77, trying to pull a ball that wasn’t short enough and Australia found themselves in complete doldrums at 111/6, still 34 runs away from making England bat again.

Anderson left the field on Day 2 with a side strain

Johnson showed some resilience and tried to hang on along with wicket-keeper Nevill, but, became Finn’s 5^th scalp as he too tried to pull a ball that wasn’t short enough and was dismissed in a similar fashion as that of warner for 14. Peter Nevill, just in his 2^nd Test, showed some application and remained unbeaten at the end of day’s play as Australia were 168/7, effectively 23/7 at stumps on day2.

Peter Nevill, who resumed Day 3 on 37, recorded his maiden Test fifty with a tickle down the leg side and was well supported by No.9 Mitchell Starc. The stand between Starc and Nevill ended when Nevill was caught down the leg-side for well-made 59 and Australia were 217/8. Starc too brought up his fifty with a six over long-on and Australia’s lead reached exactly 100. Root took a stunning catch in the slip cordon to get rid of Hazlewood and Australia were nine down for 245. Moeen Ali’s slow, well-flighted delivery did the trick as Starc was the last man to go for 58 and Australia were bowled out for 265, setting England 121 runs to win.

Finn returned with figures of  6/79 in second innings

Just 121 runs separated England from victory and a 2-1 lead and their performance with the bat in second innings, especially from Bell and Root was as dominant and authoritative as you could ever get. England suffered two early blows in the form of Cook and Lyth, but, once Bell and Root got together, they were unstoppable. Bell was at his flamboyant best and brought up his second fifty of the match with his trademark shot, guiding the ball through vacant gully region for a crisp boundary. Root hit the winning runs as England brought up an emphatic eight-wicket victory in just two and half days and continued their great run at Edgbaston. The victory gave England a 2-1 lead and showed their immense character as they bounced back from hopeless defeat at Lord’s to an emphatic victory at Edgbaston. Finn for his 6 wickets in 2^nd innings was declared as the player of the match.

Root and Bell ecstatic after their dominant victory

SCORES:

AUSTRALIA          136   &   265

ENGLAND             281   &   124/2

ENGLAND WON by 8 wickets.

ENGLAND LEAD the ASHES 2-1.

Man of the Match: S Finn.