If there has been a better day of cricket anywhere, anytime, then I haven’t seen it. 240 runs, eight hard fought wickets, the stifling heat, the cooling breeze, glorious catches, bowling of the highest class.
Australia were 5/129 and made 385.
England were 0/85 and are 4/180 at stumps. That sums up the rejuvenation of this Australian team under Michael Clarke and Darren Lehmann.
4/180 could easily have been eight for to all out on a different wicket than this absolute belter. One of the great wickets produced at the WACA indeed.
It’s not like the selectors have had to wheel and deal to get an Australian 11.
It’s been the same for three Tests now, which is like gold to the incumbents.
I feel for James Faulkner tonight. A cracked thumb might keep him out of the Boxing Day Test…but never say never with a guy like Faulkner.
The knives are long and sharp for Shane Watson. He cannot bluff any more.
The wicket he took today, that of Joe Root, won’t save him entirely, but he can help himself one way.
Take wickets, be 100 % fit and score second innings runs with authority.
Easier said than done against this very, very good England attack.
Some of their bowling today, notably from Stu Broad and to a lesser degree James Anderson…was world class. They can both bowl unplayables.
Never underestimate the battle that both batting line-ups have when facing the respective bowling groups. And a special word for Nathan Lyon , who looked like an accomplished player today.
Tight, mean, accurate, disciplined, hostile, inventive, just plain excellent…actually I can say that about all bowlers in this game.
That is how I would characterise both team’s bowling and fielding on this magnificent WACA strip.
It’s almost the same as Brisbane. Only the dry hot conditions and the blustery breezes separate the two places. Two of the finer cricketing cities in the world.
The WACA was cooled by the Freo Doctor this afternoon, and Australia’s rejuvenation prospered while it butterflied across the ground.
The WACA is aside a river, indeed you could catch a paddle steamer to the ground just for effect. But the river stretches west to east and along it runs the Doctor, and with the Doctor comes the cool of the water from the river and the sea.
If it blew all day every day, this Test would probably be over now.
Batsmen can’t get a handle on the ball. It darts everywhere in the breeze, then pitches and hits you on the grill off a good length.
Yes, the WACA can be a mean spirited lady sometimes…and you just have to take her worst and soldier on as a batter.
Because while her worst is hell on earth, her best is your time to shine.
Steve Smith, Al Cook, Michael Carberry and Dave Warner have dug in and played far more balls than their run count.
They have clocked hours at the crease…which tells you they are patient, disciplined, still looking to score and willing to overcome most obstacles.
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