BUMBLE AT THE TEST: Lehmann's Aussies fight to the end, but can he make them win?
LEHMANN'S TERMS
Australia just wouldn’t lie down and that performance had Darren Lehmann stamped all over it. They had only four wickets left, and the pitch wasn’t conducive to strokeplay.
They could just have eked it out. But they were belligerent and played proper cricket shots. off to coach Lehmann.
Whether he can turn them into a winning team, only time will tell.
YOUR NUMBER'S UP!
Having said all that, what is it with the Australians? Why can’t they pick a proper No 11? First Ashton Agar, then James Pattinson!
England have played it by the book over the years, with the likes of Phil Tufnell, Peter Such and Alan Mullally. But the Aussies turn up with blokes who should be batting at No 5. It’s not good enough, and it should be investigated by the ICC!
IT'S JIMINY CRICKET
Jimmy Anderson was just irresistible. To bowl 13 overs off the reel in that heat was a wonderful performance. At one point, it felt like Anderson v Australia, but I liked what Alastair Cook said at the presentation. He backed Stuart Broad and Steven Finn, and just said Anderson had had a good day. That was clever man-management.
IF IT AIN'T BROKE...
I wouldn’t change a thing for Lord’s, but I understand what people are saying about the way that Finn struggled.
Michael Holding will tell you that bowlers can lose form too — and it happens when they lose their rhythm. However, do you change this winning team? I wouldn’t.
THE GAME AT IT'S BEST
I loved the way that both sides embraced the concept of the Ashes. Knock hammer and tongs out of each other for five days — and trust me, I could hear the stump mic — then go and shake hands at the end of it all, and say: ‘See you in a few days at Lord’s.’ It’s just how the game should be played.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Our hotel restaurant didn’t seem too keen to serve us on Saturday night, so we nipped across the road to a great curry house called 4,550 Miles From Delhi. The highlight came when a young lad popped over for an autograph. He was about to head to Afghanistan for his second tour of duty, and we all wished him the very best. It was a nice moment.
BRAD'S A COOL CUSTOMER
Brad Haddin showed what a good selection he was: tried and trusted, experienced, tough. He knows all about those hard Ashes situations. As for young Pattinson, I said on commentary when he walked out that this bloke was no rabbit. He’s made runs in India in similar conditions, so it was no surprise to see him get stuck in here.
