Left field
The Reuters global sports blog
Ashes analysis: Is there time for a result after the rain?
Thunderous rain and the unrelenting inclement conditions are threatening to turn the third Ashes test into a washout rather than the pivotal point of a see-sawing series it should be.
The third day was abandoned without a ball being bowled in anger.
I’ve seen less water at the world swimming championships than I have at Edgbaston, where the best part of two days out of three have been lost so far.
And there we were in May bemoaning the early scheduling of the test series against West Indies. Cold to the point of frostbite yes, but no days were lost to rain.
You have to feel for the ground staff who have been ploughing relentlessly back and forth over the Edgbaston pitch in an attempt to get the surface fit for test match cricket, only for the rains to come rolling through like a bad joke to spoil their efforts.
Ashes analysis: England bowlers bounce back in style
When England’s bowlers awoke this morning they would have had the sound of stinging criticism ringing in their ears following their poor performance on day one, but how they responded.
They ripped out nine Australian wickets for the cost of 137 runs as the tourists collapsed from 126 for one overnight to 263 all out, with England closing on 116 for two as bad light cut the day’s play short.
Ashes analysis: insipid England fail to keep pressure on Australia
Whatever momentum England had built up over Australia by scraping a draw in Cardiff and then winning convincingly at Lord’s, slowly ebbed away following an insipid display late on a truncated first day’s play of the third Ashes Test in Edgbaston, as Australia rattled along at almost four and a half runs an over to close the day at 126-1.
Ricky Ponting, beset by problems, will have been delighted with his sides response in the face of adversity.
How will Pietersen absence affect England?
England batsman Kevin Pietersen has been ruled out of the Ashes series after undergoing surgery for an ongoing Achilles tendon injury.
ECB Chief Medical Officer, Nick Peirce, said: “The operation involved a small incision and trimming of the blood vessels and nerves around the inflamed tendon and appears, at this early stage, to have been routine.
Flintoff again the talisman as England defeat Australia
Lord’s rose to its feet to acclaim Andrew Flintoff after his five wickets helped England beat Australia by 115 runs to go 1-0 up in the Ashes series.
The home crowd was especially delighted given England had not beaten the old enemy at the home of cricket since 1934.
Ashes analysis: Any result is possible after more great cricket
It takes guts, skill, determination and more than anything patience to win a test match and that is why the longest form of cricket is still one of the greatest challenges that a sportsman can face.
And England will need all the patience that human nature can muster if they are to wear down and eventually beat this resolute Australian side, which managed to recover from 128 for five to close on 313 with the loss of no further wickets, chasing another 209 runs for victory.
Ashes analysis: England shouldn’t fear a record run chase
England will go into day four of the second Ashes test in complete control having closed day three on 311 for 6, giving them a massive 521 lead over Australia, who will be asked to chase down a record total to avoid defeat.
Despite bowling out Australia an hour into the morning session, 11 runs short of avoiding the follow-on total of 225, England captain Andrew Strauss decided against asking the tourists to bat again after seeing Australia’s tail-enders play with purpose and in some comfort in clement overhead conditions on what is still a favourable batting surface.
Ashes analysis: Australia crumble as England start to swing
I’m still unsure as to whether England’s first innings total of 425 is a good score on what is essentially still a flat Lord’s track, but with Australia 156 for 8 at the close of play on the second the home side can be proud of their efforts so far.
Australia took just 11 overs of the morning session on day two to polish off England’s tail, as Andrew Strauss, unbeaten on 161 overnight, Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad, provided little resistance to some good swing bowling by Ben Hilfenhaus.
England start well but the old batting demons remain
There is never a bad Australian side, I keep hearing, and I’m starting to believe it after the tourists put on another display of sheer bloody mindness in another see-sawing day for England’s batsmen and fans, who will be left drained with mixed feelings, while Australian supporters will feel no less tumultuous.
And if there’s never a bad Australian side then it’s nice to see that even after a hundred-odd years, the tradition of the good old English batting collapse is still going strong with no hint of abating.
Flintoff decision could be blessing in disguise for England
There is no doubt England will miss Andrew Flintoff’s never-say-die attitude, enthusiasm and willpower he brings to the dressing room, but the team could end up being more settled following his test retirement after the Ashes.
Management will no longer have to ponder the “what if he is available?” conundrum.
