Weet-Bix Match Report - 5th Test
- England show some early fight reaching 4/234 on day 1.
- Once again England collapses, losing 6/57, reaching 291.
- Australia reaches 393 with Warne falling 29 short of that elusive 100.
- England surrenders, all out for 147. Australia win by 10 wickets & it's 5-0.
Match Summary
Day 1 of 5th 3 mobile Ashes Test on Tuesday 2nd January
England put on a solid batting performance to finish the day 4/234. Bell and Pieterson had a valuable 108 run partnership and Flintoff looked solid finishing the day 42*. McGrath was finally rewarded for his fine bowling with the removal of Bell and Pieterson in 2 overs. The rest of the Australian attack was spot on and a bit unlucky to not get a few more nicks here and there.
Day 2 of 5th 3 mobile Ashes Test on Wednesday 3rd January
Oh dear. After starting the day 4/234 England had an awful morning session losing their last 6 wickets for just 57 runs in 23 overs. Only Flintoff offered much finishing up with 89, his highest score of the series. Australia started well despite losing Langer early for 26. Hayden reached 66 before basically throwing his wicket away with a wide cut shot made to a Harmison delivery. Only the run out of Ponting put a sour note on the Australian innings as he was moving well and looked like he could settle in to make one of his big scores. Australia were 4/188 at stumps.
Day 3 of 5th 3 mobile Ashes Test on Thursday 4th January
Australia managed to reach a first innings total of 393 (102 clear of England's first innings) thanks to a late flurry from the Australian tail. Warne was firing from the first over and managed 71 off 65 deliveries, falling agonisingly short of that elusive century yet again. Clark provided great support reaching 35 with some wild shots. England's dreadful summer with the bat continued. Lee was fast and dangerous (as Strauss found out with a sickening blow to the head) and only Strauss and Bell offered any kinds of resistance with a 50 run partnership. Australia's bowling was tight and aggressive and when Warne came on and took the wicket of Flintoff late in the day (stumped for 7) anything but a 5-0 series result seem impossible. England were 5/114 at stumps.
Day 4 of 5th 3 mobile Ashes Test on Friday 5th January
The predictable happened when England resumed their innings. Wickets tumbled and little resistance was offered with only 33 more runs added to the total before they were all out for 147. Fittingly, McGrath took the last wicket and Australia had the simple task of making just 46 to make it a series whitewash. Australia reached this without loss, and Australia won by 10 wickets.
It was the first series whitewash since the 1921 Australian win by Armstrong's men. It is also the end of one of the best eras ever in Australian cricket with the farewell of Warne, McGrath and Langer. It was a fitting end to the magnificent careers of all these players and a fantastic response to the 2005 Ashes series loss in England.
Individual Player Ratings
Five Weet-Bix!
Stuart Clark:
Man of the Match, it is almost getting boring to see how consistent this man is with a cricket ball. Australia's pace attack is in safe hands with Clark. Also showed promising form as a tailender.
Four Weet-Bix!
Glenn McGrath:
Vintage McGrath the entire test and he picked up some valuable wickets. His bowling was tight and constantly asking of the English batsmen. Unlucky to not find a few more edges in the 1st innings. He will be sorely missed.
Three Weet-Bix!
Shane Warne:
Fantastic slogging display with the bat that we know and love. Also managed to pick up a few wickets to say farewell to international cricket in style.
Brett Lee:
Took 3 wickets in each innings with great economy. This sort of consistency is what everyone would love to see from Lee.
Two Weet-Bix!
Justin Langer:
No massive 1st innings score but it was fantastic seeing him and Hayden grab the winning runs. His passion for the baggy green was evident in his emotional post match comments.
One Weet-Bix!
Adam Gilchrist:
Achieved a great 62 in the 1st innings until he was out to a dubious decision. Australia's middle order is looking solid with Gilchrist back to form. His constant comments on the unimportance of age may suggest he will not retire anytime soon!
Match Score Board
- England 1st Innings - 291
- Australia 1st innings - 393
- England 2nd Innings - 147
- Australia 2nd innings - 46/0
At the end of the 5th test/ Click here for Scorecard
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