The good news announced that the Ashes are going ahead got me thinking about some of the best dismissals over the past ten years.
This is the first part of this series, dismissals ten to six. Come back tomorrow for my top five.
10. Mitchell Johnson to James Anderson
2013-14 Ashes, second Test at Adelaide Oval
The Adelaide Oval crowd was going off. Mitchell Johnson had just got his fifth wicket. England were in desperate trouble at 8-135 in response to Australia’s 9-570 declared. Out walked a nervous James Anderson to face his first ball. Mitchell Johnson was waiting at the top of his mark in a sort of zen-like state, stroking his moustache. He steamed in and bowled the perfect delivery, uprooting the middle stump. It was so good no words needed to be spoken. He gave Anderson a stare as he walked off.
9. Stuart Broad to Adam Voges
2015 Ashes, fourth Test at Trent Bridge
Stuart Broad’s greatest asset, similar to Mitchell Johnson, is his ability to capitalise on momentum. The perfect example of this was on an overcast morning at Trent Bridge. Broad ended up with staggeringly good bowling figures of 8-15. The pick of the dismissals was Adam Voges, who edged it, allowing Ben Stokes to take an absolute blinder at fifth slip.
8. James Anderson to Brad Haddin
2013 Ashes, first Test at Trent Bridge
James Anderson, with over 600 Test wickets, has produced many spectacular deliveries. Although this one wasn’t his best, it won the Test match for England. Australia were set 311 for victory and in arrears by 80 runs with one wicket left. Brad Haddin and James Pattinson formed a partnership. The deficit was just 14 runs when Anderson struck and caught the inside edge of Haddin’s bat. It was Anderson’s tenth wicket for the match, and victory belonged to England.
7. Josh Hazlewood to Craig Overton
2019 Ashes, fourth Test at Old Trafford
Josh Hazlewood stood up for Australia to get the vital wicket to retain the Ashes. Craig Overton had faced 104 balls for 21 runs. With his 105th delivery Hazlewood got just enough inswing to hit the front pad, ensuring wild celebrations from the Australians.
6. Peter Siddle to Stuart Broad
2010-11 Ashes, first Test at the Gabba
The great thing about this is it wasn’t just the full inswinging yorker to dismiss Stuart Broad leg before wicket; it was the two previous deliveries that made this be the hat-trick ball. The crowd was roaring, and it was on his birthday that he managed to execute exactly what he wanted.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Mistakes are the only things you can truly call your own.
Paul
Roar Guru
I agree the Harris is the better delivery but not by a lot. Johnson had seriously cranked up the pace, yet still managed to get the ball to look like it was coming in slightly to Cook, which is why he angled the bat to play on the leg-side, but then the ball pitched and held its line. It's really hard to get the ball to move when bowling at 150 plus. I guess Cook can also take some consolation in getting out to these two deliveries. He didn't do a lot wrong to either.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Johnson's is so good. Ryano for me though - that ball moved viciously in the air and off the pitch.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
That be it! :thumbup: Brilliant!
Ruairidh MacDonald
Roar Rookie
Actually Siddle didn’t execute it as he planned. I remember him saying afterwards that he was aiming for the top of off! Not a bad mistake though
Paul
Roar Guru
There was another Mitch Johnson delivery that cleaned up Cook that should be in contention for number one. As CA asks, which is the best? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcfG9flnArE
matth
Roar Guru
I was there for the Siddle hat trick. The crowd went bonkers.
Paul
Roar Guru
You mean this run out :happy: https://www.cricket.com.au/video/nathan-lyon-direct-hit-run-out-james-vince-australia-england-first-ashes-test-gabba/2017-11-23
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Guest
If it's not, it's a poor list.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
I thought the 2nd wicket in the Siddle hat-trick that dismissed Matt Prior was an absolute belter and better than the hat-trick ball...either way it's beyond 10 years now :(
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Didn't Lyon run somebody out on the first day of the first test one series when England were traveling well with a rocket throw from mid off?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I think it was a 6 Test Series
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm glad you started with a that delivery from Johnson to James Anderson. All too often people dismiss these sorts of balls because they're bowled against a tail ender, but I'd defy top line players to do much better than wee Jimmy didn't. I'm also curious to see if you manage to squeeze in any wickets from spinners. Nathan Lyon alone has taken plenty of Ashes wickets with great deliveries, IMO.
Big fat dummy
Guest
Ryan Harris to Cook first ball in the second innings at Perth has to be number 1.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Johnners in 2013/14 Ashes any old time. Yikes.
Phil
Guest
There was a brutal Stuart MacGill wrong'un that cleaned up Nasser in Brisbane, i think in 98.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
My mind went to Brisbane 74/75 when Thommo had a series sewn up in the first session, of the first test, of a 5 test series.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Was she as good as Emily Blunt?
Donal Wilson
Roar Rookie
good point, missed a lot of good ones from 05 series!
Craig
Guest
Agreed. My mind went straight to Damien Flemming clean bowling Hick , I think maybe in the 94/95 series. Absolute peach. The Gatting ball obvioulsy too, if we are looking at the 90's as well.