Hi this is the review of the final day of the 1st Ashes 2009 test match that took place in Cardiff..This is a match in which I enjoyed every ball and was happy finally that England Managed for a draw.What a fighback by collingwood having spent 350 minutes in the crease and he held together the English Batting and finally there was a new Hero for England in No:10 and No:11 James Anderson and Monty Panesar.
The Beginning:
This was a match that proved the Englishmens’ resistance against the Mighty Australian Attack that was dominating the game from the Beginning having won the toss put up a Good total of 470 odd runs but that was not enough to face the strong and rejuventated Australian team.Ponting scored a valiant knock of 150 and registered his eighth century in The Ashes Tournament and put on a useful partnership with Marcus North who made his second test century which made Australia go past England’s first innings total and -Thanks to katich for his composed knock of 122 which created a good foundation for this Gargantuan total.
The Cardiff Saga:
Coming to the Last day of the test match—Johnson started to fire his deliveries from the River Taff End and just when it seemed that England were doing good Johnson gatecrashed their party mood with a Straighter one which did not have any swing and cook was found Plumb in front and he has to walk away and Hilfenhaus bowled a Superb delivery to get rid of Bopara and the Australian Bowlers likes of Siddles and the Johnsons were too good for the Englishmen and they fell on thier trap and it was collingwood who resisted their attack and faced them with a Challenge and composure–He really is a Great find for the British but he couldn’t complete the Job when he casually tried to send the ball to Third man at a good height Mr.Cricket Pulled off a catch which Broke many British Hearts at that time and task spilled over and was assigned to Monty and Anderson who became the Heros of the Match
The Nailbiter:
When Monty came into the crease he had a huge task assigned to him.Now due to the loss of collingwood James Anderson became the senior partner and he wished to take most of the strike and he played Peter siddle and Nathan Hauritz to a Perfection of a middle Order Batsman and the over which I cannot forget was Peter Siddle was Begging the Umpire to give a Leg Before that was a Unforggettable Scene—‘He was appealing and pleading for 10 seconds continuously with the Umpire eventhough he was saying no :)’and ponting tried his best by giving the ball to Marcus North and he could’t penetrate Monty/James defense and finally england’s resistance paid off and the Moment which many eyes were waiting in the English Dressing room happened “The Handshakes” and then it was finally declared the Match was drawn..I am sure that Pietersen/Strauss would have lost all their nails like what David Lloyd mentioned–I bet you there are no nails left in that finger there is only flesh 🙂
Unforgettable delivery:
The Unforgettable delivery was the one that Hauritz made to turn Sharp and Anderson didn’t judge it properly decided sweep and then changed his mind and one more delivery which made a sharp turn pitching Outside Off
Crispy Scorecard —
England 435 & 252/9 (105.0 ov)–Star *Monty/James
Australia 674/6d–Star * R.T.Ponting
Courtesy Cricinfo
Sesha Utters 