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Almost a decade ago, Shane Warne dropped Kevin Pietersen in the Fifth Test and with it Australia’s hopes of winning the Ashes.
We couldn’t really blame Warney because he’d also taken a shed load of wickets in the series but unfortunately moments like that swing a session, a match and a series.
It remains to be seen how much effect Brad Haddin’s dropped chance off Joe Root will have in the 2015 version. With England at 3 for 43, Mitchell Starc, having just removed Ian Bell had his confidence up. On Root’s second delivery Starc pitched the ball up and had Root edging to the Australian wicketkeeper who appeared to have it secured, only for the ball to pop out.
Root, with great support from Garry Balance, proceeded to counter-attack in much the same way as a Ricky Ponting or a Steve Waugh used to after getting a lifeline. His 134 hurts Australia, not just because of the match situation. It gives England’s key batsman confidence and form for the rest of the series.
In his post-day press conference Root admitted it was a game changer.
“It could have gone completely the other way, and got out first, second ball or whatever it was and then you’re looking a bit silly,” Root said.
“Fortunately I had that fortune today and I could cash in and make the most of it. Thankfully he [Haddin] didn’t manage to cling onto it.”
Josh Hazlewood, who along with Starc claimed three wickets for the day said it wasn’t so much the dropped catch, but the fact the bowlers didn’t maintain the pressure after the setback.
“I don’t think we’re used to dropping catches at the moment,” he said.
“I think in that situation we’ve got to deal with it better and just keep bowling those balls in the right areas and keep creating those opportunities.”
“I think we got better throughout the day and hopefully that’s a positive we can take out of it.”
The flat and slow nature of the Cardiff pitch came into question with Mitchell Johnson largely ineffective, but as always in Test Match cricket we’ll have to wait and see both teams bowl before we cast judgement.
Before that happens Australia needs to clean up the tail, and Brad Haddin will no doubt already be thinking of making up for his error with the gloves and the bat.
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