Faboulous Fourth

Today is when the most crucial test of the Ashes starts. The rate at which runs are being scored in this series implies that there is a scarce chance of a draw unless there is rain like in the previous test. If England win then they have to make sure they do not lose at the Oval to retain the Ashes. The Aussies win and they retain the Ashes. And of course the Oval is like the SCG a flat track but the spinners come into the picture pretty early on in the game. I remember Phil Tufnell bowling the English to victory on a square turner in the 1997 Ashes.

The English will play the same XI, a record since I think the early 80's when the last time the English played the same XI in four consecutive Ashes test matches. Their batting looks a lot more solid now. Strauss has regained his form with the knock in the second innings at Old Trafford. Trescothick who was a bunny in the 2003 Ashes is now playing very well with an average well above 40 for the series. Vuaghan showed his master class with a great knock in the first innings. And Bell also scored a half century though his manner of dismissal might leave a lot to be desired. Flintoff and Pietersen are just the sort of aggressive batsmen to follow the circumspect Bell. And Jones has also scored when the opportunity presented itself. All in all their batting is firing on all cylinders. In their bowling department Flintoff is bowling really well, he has kept Gilchrist tied down and Gilly does not seem to have any answers as yet. Jones is a fine bowler as I have blogged before as well, I still think in the last test he must have been bowling to Lee since he was the one to have dismissed him at Edgbaston and at Old Trafford in the first innings. And Giles seems to be bowling much quicker on these slower English pitches and is varying his flight and pace very well. He has been helped by the Aussies batsman not willing to take him on and not rotating the strike very well. Harmison also is bowling very well thought he might be a touch worried about not taking more wickets. He certainly deserves more. The only weak link in the bowling seems to be Hoggard who has not bowled as well as was expected. Of course with 5 bowlers Vaughan has not really felt the pinch of this as yet. The gloomy conditions if they prevail at Trent Bridge might just suit him to get back to form. We will have to wait and watch as to whether that might happen. All in all the English have 11 players all fit and in form.

The Aussies look a sorry lot, they have new injury scares almost everyday their body language on the field does not look very positive. It reminds one of the numerous English teams that have lost the Ashes over the past 15 years. Hayden looks a sorry batsman now. His inability to either leave balls wide of off stump or play authoritatively through the covers has been well exploited by the English bowlers. And his getting bowled might have been a further dent to his conifdence. The worst way to get out after a run out is probably bowled since it indicates a serious technical fault somewhere. Langer has been playing well but he needs to get on and score a big hundred if the Aussies have to win this test match. He seems to be having a problem playing Giles early on in the innings and then countering the reverse swing, but he is a fighter and I think we can expect him to play well. Ponting played a fine knock and one thing about Ponting is that once he gets into form he makes the opposition pay, so the English need to be careful about him. He also seems to be able to handle reverse swing pretty well. His only problem might be starting an innings when the ball is seaming around too much or starting against spin, because when he starts he takes a huge front foot movement which is fatal against both the above forms of bowling. Martyn got a raw deal in the last test, was bowled off a beauty in the first innings though he must have moved his right leg across to cover the spin, in the second innings he was given out lbw though he had edged it onto his pads. Clarke is playing very well and must soon start learning to play reverse swing to make sure he does not get out when he is set like in the last match. Katich if he plays which I doubt should become more tighter in defence and try to play himself in, get a bit calmed down before he goes for his strokes. What has not helped his cause is the fact that whenever he has gone to bat the Aussies have been under a considerable amount of pressure. But thats what makes the difference between the really good ones and the also rans. Gilchrist seems to be all tied, should free his arms more and play naturally and try farming the strike with the tail. Warne and McGrath are bowling pretty well and so has Lee. Since Aussies play only 4 bowlers they need all 4 to be in form. They have not been helped by Gillespies display so far, Tait will be playing. He is supposed to be fast, but this series seems to be hinging on reverse swing, and if he can do that then it will be a real bonus to Ponting.

Captaincy wise Ponting needs to trust his instincts more and not be the predictable guy that he has become these days. Vaughan since he has 5 bowlers at his disposal has a slightly easier job. But his bowling changes are good and his captaincy seems to be more inspired and imaginative than his counterparts at present.

Finally this match will all boil down to how well the Aussies play the reverse swing of Jones and Flintoff. And how well they can attack Giles so as to deprive Vaughan of his strategy of Giles wheeling away at one end and rotating his pacemen at the other.