Catch goes down, not heads
“You lucky so and so,” remarked a member of the British press when Ricky Ponting was dropped by Ashley Giles on the third morning in Adelaide.
A similar remark might have followed when Paul Collingwood, of all people, missed a chance soon after to run the Australia skipper out.
The reprieves weren’t quite of ‘You’ve just dropped the Ashes’ magnitude – well, time will be the judge of that – but you wouldn’t have known it at the time.
In the morning and evening of the most important day of the fledgling series to date, England roared. Looked all over like the rollicking cavaliers of last year. In between, it was a return to darker times.
It was difficult to assess England’s big total before watching Australia bat, but Matthew Hoggard’s double strikes at the bookends of the day gave visiting fans reason to think this Test could be theirs.
It could still be. It would almost certainly have been had Giles read the script when Ponting skied a pull-shot off Hoggard straight to him in the deep when on 35.
I’d like to say the ball hung in the air for what seemed like an eternity, but it didn’t. The length of time I was given was 1.38 seconds from bat face to Giles’ hands, which, extended above his head, couldn’t do what the brain asked. The pro-Aussie crown on the western side lapped it up. “You’re Monty in disguise,” bellowed some wit.
Had Giles held the very gettable chance, day three could have turned out so different. In the end England got their man, but not before Ponting had added another Test century – his second of the series and 33rd in all. The dropped catch cost England 107 runs and Heaven knows how much momentum.
By stumps, Australia had made avoiding the follow-on a virtual certainty. Ponting and Mike Hussey’s fourth-wicket partnership, which should not have been allowed to get off the ground, produced 192 runs and saved an absorbing day’s cricket for Australia.
Following a pattern for the game, the afternoon dourness was reflected by the mood of the crowd. As the evening progressed, many of the 30,000-plus throng got it together to choreograph the first Mexican Wave of the match.
It was also the last, if the South Australian Cricket Association has its way. Earlier in the day, a SACA spokesman said the Wave would be allowed as long as “people don’t throw objects”.
On cue, as soon as the third lap had been completed, the ground announcer respectfully asked the hedonists to stop. You can guess why.
By dint of England’s inability take chances when they first presented themselves, the day was about Ponting. Now, no Australian has more Test centuries. His average, after 107 Tests, has nudged above 60. As captain, that figure nears a dizzying 70.
Of the top five century-makers in cricket history, Ponting has played the fewest Test matches. Sachin Tendulkar is currently on top of the list, but probably not for long. His signs of decline are unmistakable.
Unless Mohammad Yousuf – how much better is he than Yousuf Youhana? – keeps going at his present rate, Ponting will make the top spot his own for many years to come.
He could get there this Ashes series, which, thanks to the tireless and underrated Hoggard, is very much alive.
Let's focus on the positives. England are beginning to show some fight. Hoggard bowled well. Harmison looks much better - why not give him more overs? Anderson looked half-decent. Australia are still in a dangerous position. Even if this match ends in draw, it will be good momentum for the next test when England must field a more aggressive bowling lineup with Panesar, and show some belief that this team has what it takes to retain the ashes.
Complain about this postI wish he WAS monty in disguise ...
Complain about this postgilo putting down ponting has been an absolute misfortune for england. had he taken that, the day would have been england's only. but if we get the australians out tomorrow morning, and gon on to get around 200 and a lead of 350+ fredye, hoggy and harmi can give it a go. another man who can play a big role is anderson. remember ajit agarkar's performance in 2004. batting fourth will not be easy, and even when india beet australia, it was the result of a huge effort from rahul dravid. if england bowl well tomorrow, and put in a good performance with the bat, then, ausies will be under big pressure in the fourth innings.
Complain about this postfredye should be careful not to over bowl himself. he should give bit more overs to harmison who is looking much better.
Complain about this post“You’re Monty in disguise.”
If only Gilo was...OK, so Monty wouldn't have taken the catch (it was a difficult chance anyway), however his bowling would have been a lot more penetrating.
Still, it looks like the seamers are in fine fettle, especially Harmison, so there's hope yet. If they can somehow skittle the Aussies early tomorrow, then add a couple of hundred runs to the lead, England can still win this test on the last day.
Maybe I'm just being too optimistic though, given the pitch?
Complain about this postEngland was extremely lucky to win the last Ashes series,however luck can only take you so far.Australia is superior in every aspect of the game.Gile's dropped catch might just indicate that their luck is about to run out !
Complain about this postSo I take it you were wearing a collared shirt today??
Complain about this postIt's nice to see Englands getting away from the Boycot syndrome of boring crease occupation with little to show for it. Negative cricket will never win anything and we are learning to attack in the same way as the Ausies do. We have been helped in this by the ex-Ausie Pietersen who has brought a new spirit into the side and who together with Flintof gives us a team to be proud of.
Complain about this postPunter and Yousuf are the two best guns playing cricket today, and will be gunning for the best batsmen in the world for the next couple of years. Don't even think of dropping their catches because if you do they'll make you pay.
Complain about this postI certainly won't be speaking up for Chris Read. I think Jones is almost as good a wicket keeper, and definitely a better batsman.
I thought Anderson looked terrible this time round. Harmison is getting a lot better, though, and should get a good few wickets at some point in this tour.
Therefore, I agree with Ken Jones: bring Joyce and Panesar in for Giles and Anderson. Hoggard, Harmison, Flintoff and Monty can take wickets and attack, and when needed Colly and KP can provide cover.
Complain about this posta good day for england which as said could have been so much better if it wasn't for giles' catching ability but it's okay because he's not in the team fr his fielding. if we can knock over clarke or gilchrist early tomoro/tonight we can perhaps still make the aussies follow on. let's hope england can win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Complain about this postwhich we can!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ken, you make some very good points. I would be in favour of that, although I would like to have a look at Collingwood's bowling in this test before agreeing with you entirely.
I like Flintoff's captaincy but I think he should share the overs out a bit more, only listening to it doesn't give me the opportunity to comment fully on Anderson's and Harmison's bowling but the figures don't lie and they have both yet to take a wicket. I think they both need more overs in the bank before we can think about bowling them out not only in the second innings but the first one as well.
I think Fletcher is hoping that England will be at worst 1 down at Melbourne and then bring Monty to the party. Maybe that's wishful thinking on my part because I want to be in the stands when Monty takes 8 for 44 at the MCG.
As for Reed, Jones looks solid behind the stumps and I don't believe Reed would add more with the bat. However, my opinion may change should Monty play and Jones misses an easy stumping a la Warne at Old Trafford.
Complain about this postCan anyone explain why Collingwood doesn't get a bowl these days ? And surely Monty must be included for the rest of the series if we are to bowl Australia out twice in 5 days.
Complain about this postThe fact that England are fighting hard is superb to see. I know this is going over old ground but is 20 odd runs that Giles might make in a match worth a couple of wickets? Fletcher has done wonders for English cricket but not having Monty in is wrong.
Complain about this postGood luck England tomorrow! And Duncan, lets see some brave, attacking options that brought us success in 2005.
Errrrr Pietersen is an ex South Effrican, not an ex Aussie!!!
Hoggard is the most under rated bowler in World cricket. He just gets on with the job of taking wickets and bowling tightly, not bothered about being slower than 90 mph. He just watches as the speed merchants spray it around.
Why are people so sure that Joyce would score runs? I'm not convinced he is that special or reliable.
Complain about this postFirst of all lets be positive. Aussies still over 200 behind with 5wkts left. Couple of early wkts and we will be right on top.
Last ashes series we had all the luck so we have to expect a couple of doggy decisions not to go are way and catches to go down (e.g. hussey's run out and giles catch)
but to win the ashes in australia we need to hold on to are catches and a test match player should be taking that sort of catch. if giles struggles to jump with his hip injury put pietersen, bell, cook etc out there like Australia do with Hussey on the boundary
So come on england will still in charge and lets have another good day tomorrow
Complain about this postI think that drop is the difference between a high-scoring draw and England having a real chance of winning this test. Ponting is playing far too well at the moment for us to afford to spurn such chances to get rid of him.
As has already been mentioned, the knock-on effect of dismissing Ponting for 35 would have been massive - confidence high England could have bowled Australia out by now.
If only....
Complain about this postYou don't win matches by dropping the best batsman in the world when he's on 30 odd. Shame on you Ashley! Now - this one is drawn. Get Monty in for the next test and lets equalise things. Maybe the aussies will show England some respect now?
Complain about this posthes dropped them simple as youve gt 2 tke the chances or else ull pay lets c how many wikets he will get as well it shudve been monty panesar playin or yh and onoda thing pieterson is one of he lukiest batsmen eva
Complain about this post@Ken Jones: I think Jones has played well enough so far to justify his selection. I guess he didn't bat too well yesterday, but there haven't been too many mistakes behind the stumps and he showed what he was there for (despite it being a bit of a lost cause) in Brisbane. I think it is inevitable that short of injury it will be Jones who will keep for the whole series.
@Ben Holmes: Pietersen is from SA not Oz...what are you on about?
Complain about this postCOME ON ENGLAND
Well, we all know England policy under Duncan Fletcher; he picks guys who are jack of all traits but these guys are best at nothing. Giles is prime example of that. I think Monty should been played in test. That would have been more positive move from England and also send a signal batsmen to take more responsibility and value their wicket. I am sorry some our batmen need to be more responsible and don’t throw their wickets away. Esp. Andrew Strauss and to less extend KP. If Monty played today England would have had more control of game. I am not saying he would have got more wickets, but onething he would of done is to occupy one end and our fast bolwers rotating on other end.
On a positive note harmi looked ok today… give him more overs. Get him match fit. We all know this test gonna end in draw. At least by giving Harminson more overs he will be match fit for remaining tests.
Complain about this postIt wouldn't make a damn bit of difference if Monty were playing at Adelaide. Ok, Giles missed a catch, and looks to be costly. It happens. Giles' bowling clearly hasn't pleased the armchair pundits either for not single-handedly bowling out Australia. Look, if Warne couldn't get anything out of the pitch (and wrist-spinners always generate more turn than finger spinners like Gilo and Monty) why does anyone think Giles or Monty would? Why did Fletcher not the change the team for this test? Because he didn't at Edgbaston in 2005 and the team fought back well as they have here. A good move surely, when a few players post-Brisbane were beset by nerves.
England may well only draw this match. But the momentum is shifting and the Aussies are worried. That said the questions of whether Warne and McGrath are past it are clearly absurd.
Complain about this posty did dey play giles in da 1st place?? makes no sense 2 me, or any other person.
Complain about this postI think England are dispalying true grit, the missed catch just accidental
Complain about this postI thought Giles was a better fielder than Monty, but that theory has been thrown out of the window!!
Not only has he cost us this match, his bowling has been average and never looks like he will be taking a wicket.
Its clear he is not fit and our on-form player of 2006 is on the bench.
Complain about this postPlay MONTY!!!
English fans love to go on about "ifs" and then forecast a result based on an "if". Well what if Kasper was given not out out in Birmingham when the job was all but done in 2005 ? Rub of the green is an integral part of the game, just accept it. Punter made 142 and was lucky on 35. Both teams still have the opportunity to influence their own fortunes so lets just enjoy this great match and leave the word "if" out of it.
Complain about this postThe best players in the world drop crucial catches - Warne at The Oval, Gibbs in the 1999 World Cup - so to place the blame at Giles' door for Ponting to score another 107 runs is not fair. Cricket is all about getting the breaks, and my goodness, did Pietersen and Collingwood ride their luck at times on day 2?
We still have a chance. The seam attack seems rejuvenated, and even with an unresponsive pitch, we can still pick up quick wickets. Tomorrow we start again, and try and meet that momentum. We just have to nail Gilchrist and Clarke early on, and mop up the tail quickly. Yes, we miss Simon Jones for that, but it is time for Anderson to step up and prove himself. He'll have the chance and support, he just needs to take it. Otherwise, I guess we should try the other unproven, Mahmood.
Complain about this postI've seen the footage and it looks like he didn't see it properly because of the sun in his eyes. Had he seen it earlier then he wouldn't have been leaning backwards and would have got Ponting. Remeber that he has a good pair of catching hands and doesn't drop much.
Complain about this postPlease refer to all English aspects of cricket as "pommy". You may not be aware that the Racial Board here is Australia has decided that "pom" and "pommy" is not a derogatory remark. However I would refrain from calling any other sporting team that visits Australia a name.
Poor old England, not only can they NOT play cricket well they have to be called a derogatory name despite what the Racial Board here says.
Tim
Complain about this postGiles. If ever there was a man who's unsure of his place, his whole body language yesterday and the dropped catch? The dropped catch was all phsycologically inflicted. Some people have claimed it was a difficult chance, rubbish, it was elementary. Giles knows he shouldn't be in the team, I'm sorry but after we hit 550 I remembered that our bowling attack is not capable of taking 20 wickets, unless we decide to be more positive and drop dibbly dabbler batsmen/bowler(debatable) Giles.
Complain about this postThe only way England are going to win the Ashes are if Monty Panesar plays. Ashley Giles can't play the role of being defensive and attacking. You saw on day 1 at Adelaide how much Warne was turning the ball so just think what Monty could do on this beautiful track.
Complain about this posti agree with singhhp. Giles maybe a better batsmen but take out the 30 odd runs he scored in the first innings in Adelaide and we still have a brilliant score. And as someone like monty can turn the ball so much, i imagine that australia would be 6 or 7 down for an amount of runs fewer to the amount they have now, and we would be in a good position to go on and win the test match, which we need to do.
Complain about this postThat catch miss by Giles was poor, i bet if monty panesar was there he would of buried that catch. Giles hasnt hardly picked up any wickets in the ashes and hes been expensive. Monty panesar has had a few missed catches but atleast his bowling is superb unlike Giles hes a disgrace to the England team. Duncan we know u visit this website everyday, so why not listen to the fans and dont just make ur own decisions.
DUNCAN GIVE MONTY A CHANCE AND DROP GILES!!!!
Complain about this postIn my humble view, if gilly or clarke dont put a good partnership together, australia will lose the ashes.
Macgrath shouldnt be playing. Watching Stuart Clark bowl, is like Glenn of previous years. Its time to make the ultimate sacrfice..
Martyn has to go. He has once again demonstrated a lack of discipline. Two starts and no runs. Bring on Jacques..
This England team (or should we call them the world XI almost)is developing nicely. They are still improving - Australia have peaked. Maybe by losing the series at home, cricket australia will finally clean out the closet.
Good luck to the Poms.
PS you wont need Monty. Just make the aussies play 5 days in every test...
Complain about this posteveryone should stop putting Gilo down. if you look at KP last year, he dropped loads, but nobody made a big issue
Complain about this postWHile Panesar's the better spinner, we needed runs from Gilo yesterday, and he delivered.
i mean panesar can't bat that well, an gilos still a better fielder.
At the end of the day the selectors chose Giles, and they know what they're doing
anyway Come on the Poms!
Why did England declare when they could have put 650 on the board and made australia bat on the worst days of the test for the pitch surface.
Complain about this posti dont think i will bother staying up to watch the cricket tonight. :(
Complain about this postEngland are a strike bowler short and looking at their selection obduracy they are likely to continue being that. With this team and winning the toss gives them a draw which is what they had on mind when they selected their team for Adelaide test.
Complain about this post"i dont think i will bother staying up to watch the cricket tonight. :( "
Oh ye of little faith! You have to support the team through good and bad times - it makes the good times that much sweeter when they happen. Besides which, tonight could potentially be the most interesting passage of play of the match. I predict Australia to be bowled out for 420 (including an entertaining 75 odd for Gilchrist) after which England will score a quickfire 250 - including a ton from that master of the second innings century, Strauss - with maybe just enough time to put Australia back in, with a target of 375 to win.
That would be the dream scenario, anyway...
Complain about this postKEEP GILES! monty wouldnt have done any better, think! Warne the greatest bowler ever struggled on this pitch. also its not just the 20+ runs he scores batting , he also sticks around, allowing other batsmen such as pieterson or flintoff to score, this can add up to 70-80 runs.
Complain about this postAs one of the many Aussies living in the UK it's interesting to note that this series is shaping up in a similar vein to the last....The Aussies are ripe for the picking on home soil, whatever happens in this test, the Poms need to play Monty and show patience with Harmison, coming on at first change will do him wonders...Freddie is handling the pressure well, I hate to say it but too many Australian players ( again ) put their two bobs in after the first test...After the last Ashes, the least you would expect is respect for the opposition...Also the Barmy Army is sensational for the game - the crowds in England last year were awesome in the way they respected Warne, Lee and co..
Complain about this postdrawn series ( any score ) at 9-1 is good odds for a punter..
What is gilo playing at????? He should have caught that easily. He cant bat bowl or field. Thts the drop of the year. THat will cost the whole test seeing as Ponting hwen on to score high. Wheres Monty!!!!!! Giles is absolutly useless.
Complain about this post90% of posters are saying let's play Monty but we don't know what may be going on backstage ... don't forget we haven't seen Monty for a coupla weeks, he could be injured or going thru a semi-Tresco. And IF that's the case, of course DF wouldn't publicize it cos that wouldn't help Monty, King of Spain or anyone else except punter and his team.
And let's not write off McG or Warnie just yet - NO-ONE has taken serious wickets on this Adelaide strip, except vastly underrated Hogster.
One thing I agree with every other pundit on this planet: the first hour tomorrow will be crucial.
I'm a 1000% Eng fan but also not totally blind or stupid ...
Complain about this postIm struggeling to think of a harmison delivery that was threatening, he was on target but didnt look like taking a wicket anderson nearly got ponting three times, first ball just dropping short, nearly clean bowled him and also had an extremely close lbw yet people still say hes been bowling poor i dont understand this? and giles really should be dropped unless his 27 runs win this match for us because im sure his 0 wickets wont
Complain about this postisn't it ironic, that the man to drop ponting after he had ammassed just 35 runs was giles?after all, he was included partly for his fielding to give the team greater balance, ahead of monty.shame.
Complain about this postI'm an Adelaidean who was at the cricket yesterday. I watched in the practice nets as Monty bowled to no one, aiming at markers on the ground. He would bowl 10 balls approx, then run up and pick them all up, and drop them back in a backpack at the bowling crease and bowl them again. No one was there to comment or toss the balls back. He was so enthusiastic but how much longer can one remain so enthusiastic when a guy who so clearly doesn't trouble the Australians is given so much support from Fletcher and remains in the team?
Complain about this postI keep reading about boring old Boycott, but couldn't we do with an opener like him to steady the ship, with a patner like Colin Milburn. Remember those comments, 'Never hook a ball before lunch" Who will ever forget his magic innings, and oh for a another Milburn.
Complain about this postluv ya work gilo!
Complain about this postThe pitch in adders was flat,
Complain about this postand the poms showed us all they could bat.
But when Gilo dropped Ricky,
the crowd took the mickey.
Goodbye Ashley, hello Gary Pratt.
Greetings from Nova Scotia, I can't listen to what's happening, I don't have Sky, so it's hitting refresh on the update button for me. I just kept hitting refresh and when there was no change in score for a few minutes, I thought we were doing well, then realised it was lunch - Doh!Come on England. And come on BBC give us commentary abroad...PLEASE...
Complain about this postSadly the pitch is as flat as a pancake and with no Monty in the side to offer both the control and constant threat that England so need at this present moment, it looks like we are heaing towards a draw at this rate. Shame as Hoggy has bowled his heart out all innings. Well done Matthew.
Let us just hope we can bore out the remaining Aussie batsman sometime in the near future and get some sort of a lead. Yet, even with a lead I don't think Fletcher would offer the Aussies a "go and chase that if you dare" tempter.
Looks like we have got a lot of pride back though after the Brisbane fiasco. Plus the English batsman can tame Warney and the winger McGrath. Roll on Perth.
Complain about this postI'm fed up with all these biased if's. Luck plays a huge part in professional sports, especially in cricket. IF Warne hadn't of trodden on his wicket (in 2005), we wouldn't hold the ashes. Of course, being English, I want us to retain them, but you can't just say 'oh, it's only luck' when they get important draws, and magically it turns into skill when we do. Last year, we were easily the better team, everyone was on song, Harmisson, Hoggard and Flintoff were an awesome bowling force. Hoggard and Flintoff have been excellent, but Freddy is struggling with an ankle (rushed back maybe?) and Harmisson has been ineffective. We were second best in the first match, and to be honest, I don't think we've done enough to deserve a win in this test either.
Complain about this postWHAT IS GILES DOING. HE PUT BUTTER ON HIS FINGERS BEFORE THE MATCH. BUTERFINGERS. WHERES MONTY!!!!!
CATCHES WIN MATCHES!!!!!!!!!!
Complain about this postSHAME GILES CANT CATCH!!!
WHAT IS GILES DOING. HE PUT BUTTER ON HIS FINGERS BEFORE THE MATCH. BUTERFINGERS. WHERES MONTY!!!!!
CATCHES WIN MATCHES!!!!!!!!!!
Complain about this postSHAME GILES CANT CATCH!!!
I have to chuckle at the suggestion that England can win this match - put on a few runs before lunch, lead by say 200 and then bowl Australia out in 2 sessions - as Darryl Kerrigan said in the immortal film The Castle, "tell him he's dreamin"
Complain about this postPathetic!! A typical England 'let's not lose it' defence-mode attitude,..how did we ever win last year!! I'm off for a good weep now!!
Complain about this postFlintoff must go as captain. He cannot shoulder the responsibility of the capaincy and bat at the same time. What a disaster! If it was in another country people would ask if was fixed
Kindest regards
Complain about this postDavid Davies
At this point the Ashes are niether won nor lost.England can still win the series.They just have to change their mind set.
Complain about this postStop trying to defend the Ashes and start winning them.
England are in this position because they have been defencive. ATTACK. Six batsmen to score the runs and five bowlers to take the wickets,simple.Hold your head up Freddie you know you can do it, you have done it before.--Attack.
(continued)...needing a paltry 117 runs in the final day and a bit, victory was a mere formality. However once again the Aussies top order crumbled (a young Damian Martyn making 6 runs off 59 balls), making a number of ridiculous decisions that appeared to characterize the team in such situations. Needless to say as a supporter one felt as if they had eaten a dodgy nightclub souvlaki then discovering the toilets been stolen. Four current day players (Warne, McGrath, Langer and Martyn) played a part in one or both of those heartbreakers. A generation of young cricketers here swore that such debacles would never happen when they grow up and wear the baggy green cap. Yes, this loss is a shocker, but perhaps a generation of young poms (notwithstanding your strangely cannibalistic media) are thinking exactly the same thing now.
Complain about this post