We were on a high from Lord’s going in to the Edgbaston test and we knew we had a great chance of going 2-0 up if we played well again. But the weather got the better of the game and who knows, with a few more hours of play, we may well have taken a 2-0 lead.
Day 1
The first day of the test belonged to Australia and the weather.
There was some serious rainfall on the Wednesday before the game which meant we couldn’t practice. It also meant there was a delayed start on Thursday, even though the ground staff had worked through the night. More showers during the day pushed the start time back and we could only fit thirty overs in.
We lost the toss and fielded first. The groundsman, before the game, had not been filling us with confidence describing the wicket as ‘jelly’ but the wicket was good for batting and Australia finished on 120 for 1 at the end of day one.
Day 2
We had the perfect start to day two with Graham Onions taking two wickets with his first two balls which was just the start we needed. The ball started to swing and we continued to take wickets. We managed to bowl them out for 263 with Graham Onions taking four wickets and I took five.
We didn’t get off to a great start with the bat losing two early wickets but recovered well and Strauss was 60 not out out and Ian Bell 26 not out. We finished the day 116 for 2.
Day 3
Unfortunately, day three was a total washout. Heavy overnight rain meant the ground was under water and then more rain through the day meant that no play was possible.
Day 4
A delayed start because of the previous days rain and we knew we had to press on by batting positively. We did score quickly but also lost wickets quite regularly. Belly went on to get fifty, a quick forty and fifty from Matt Prior and Stuart Broad and 74 from Fred pushed us up to 376, giving us a lead of 113.
We knew we had to bowl well to have any chance of getting a result from the game. We started reasonably well and had Australia 80 for 2 at the close of play. The big wicket was that of Ponting and he was dismissed by Graeme Swann with a fine delivery.
Day 5
It was always going be a tough ask to bowl Australia out on the last day, but we knew if we got a couple of early wickets then anything was possible. We didn’t get that start but we did get two wickets by lunch which kept us in with a shout.
However, it was the next session which was crucial and it didn’t go our way. They batted very well, with Michael Clarke and Marcus North batting the whole session.
The game came to a close when Michael Clarke reached his century and it ended in a draw.
So a draw the outcome of the game which we dominated for the majority. We now go to Headingley to prepare for the fourth test starting on Friday. Confidence is still high in the dressing room and we will be looking to improve on the last two performances.
Another good performance could win us the Ashes back and a win for Australia can bring them back in to the series, so it is a crucial test for both sides.
go weather……………………
Hard to say you dominated it in the majority, I think, young Jimbo. My count has it at three sessions dominated by each team with four drawn, out of the 10 possible cause of the lousy weather. Fair result the match was a draw then.
Hope the weather stays away in Leeds. Bit worried that England might be outdone at Headingley with Stuart Clark to come back in. Australia bat better, and if they bowl as well as England, you might be in a lot of trouble!
Very well played at Edgebaston, shame about the result. I am very hopeful though that with your expert bowling, along with Onions, Broad, Swann and Freddie – that we will win the Ashes this year. We have a good squad this year and I’m looking forward to the outcome. Well Done again Jimmy
Which is your favourite ground to play on by the way?
Great 5-80 by you on Day 2. I think it was destined to be a draw, simply due to the weather taking it’s toll on the outfield. But it so easily could’ve been an England win… stil 1-0 though, that counts for something.
Bring on the next test
Swanny’s to Punter was the ball of the decade.
with a few more hours. lol
6 day test praps.
Its a shame we couldn’t pull that out the bag seeing as now we have gone back to the old England where we lose a couple of quick wickets and then proceed to show the backbone of Stephen Hawkings non famous more crippled younger brother. I think his name is Danny Hawkings.
Hi Jimmy,
How is the hamstring? Shame about the result but there is still all to play for. The batting order did not look right from the beginning and Bopara’s confidence is gone so needs to be replaced. Bell and Collingwood’s positions should also be questioned but i like Colly in the field.
It also looked like you were suffering a bit. Is all okay?
Good luck at the Oval!