Now We Are Talking
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By Rahul Patil
Glenn McGrath was a terrific fast bowler but his prediction game is pretty poor. A 2-1 score line after 3 tests is fitting of a series that is being described as one of the best ever. I must admit I was worried that England were fretting the small things while turning a blind eye to some glaring errors. Their performance in the third test has not only kept the series alive but has also swung the momentum their way.
For starters they almost picked the perfect XI. Moeen Ali returned from injury while Mark Wood and Chris Woakes played their first test of the series. Josh Tongue was unlucky to be left out in favor of Ollie Robinson who broke down after bowling 11.2 overs in the first innings with back spasms.
I have been screaming from the rooftops for Wood’s inclusion in the England side and he didn’t take long to make an impression. Amongst all the things that are magical about cricket nothing comes close to a fast bowler steaming in and bowling over 95mph. It is the epitome of what the human body can do when everything is in perfect harmony. Just like I said last week “Pace is pace yaar.”
I grew up watching the likes of Wasim, Waqar, Donald, Akhtar, Lee, Bond, Tait & Steyn. Mark Wood is as pure as they come. A natural athlete, a clean action and a big heart. There is a video on the internet of Wood in a hospital just after he had elbow surgery and still under the influence of general anesthesia where he says “I’ll still bowl fast”. If you haven’t watched it, please do as it is gold and tells you everything you need to know about Mark Wood.
Chris Woakes could pass off as an investment banker, a lawyer, a school teacher or a doctor. What he is also very good at is swinging a cricket ball in helpful conditions and scoring useful lower order runs. Apparently there is a bit of a bromance between the two W’s. Wood often send’s stumps flying but personally doesn’t enjoy flying in planes very much. During take-off, landing and turbulence Woakes often holds his teammates hand to calm him down. With 13 wickets and 82 runs between them for the match I am sure their partnership will be inseparable for the remainder of the series.
At 87 for 5 in their first innings England were staring at a massive deficit but once again their single legged knight in shining armor Ben Stokes took them to safety. Mental strength once again winning over physical pain. How he does what he does is simply unimaginable. If England pull off a miracle to win this Ashes 3-2 a knighthood will only be a matter of time.
“Most of Australia hate me” is what Mitch Marsh said in 2019 after picking up a 5 wicket haul at the Oval. Green’s injury meant that Marsh made yet another comeback to the Australian team. Dropped on 12 by Joe Root, Marsh scored a delightful 118 to give the Australians more selection headaches before the next test. The video of his brother Shaun and dad Geoff celebrating his century in Bali is another one to watch for sure.
Australia has never had an all-rounder to match the likes of Jacques Kallis, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Sir Ian Botham, Sir Richard or Sir Garfield Sobers. Hence whenever they find one the weight of expectations proves to be just too much. It happened with Shane Watson, it happened with Mitchell Marsh and I fear it might be the same with Cameron Green.
Should they drop Warner who has now officially become Broad’s bunny? If Green is fit should they play both Marsh and Green in the XI? Who should they open with then? Maybe with Travis Head like they did in India? And what do they do with Scott Boland who hasn’t lived up to all the pre series hype? Should they bring back Hazlewood? Or should they gamble with Michael Neser who’s picking wickets and scoring runs for fun in the county championship? Personally I feel they will stick with Warner, Marsh & bring back Hazlewood for Boland.
England on the other hand seem to have found the right balance and barring injury I don’t see them making any changes to their playing XI. They must have listened to me, as Bazball has been replaced with Smartball. Stokes played according to the situation in the first innings and so did Harry Brook in the second until he played a dreadful shot to get out. If there was a fab four for under 25’s Harry Brook would be the first name on the list.
It’s been a nail biting series so far. 2 wickets, 43 runs and 3 wickets have been the margins of victory in the first three tests. Surely it’s got to be 2-2 after Manchester. That would mean another one test shoot out at the Oval. Any other result would just be an anti-climax as England have finally arrived. Now we are indeed talking.
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