That's right. The good old English-Aussie feud begins anew, and even as we speak, the 1st Test is beginning to reach its conclusion. Guess who's on top?
Yup, it's the Aussies again. Despite a slow start to their English tour, where they even lost a match to Bangladesh in the one-dayers, the Aussies are definitely near, if not at, the top of their form. After three days, England are 156 for 5 in their 2nd innings, requiring 264 runs to win. With 5 wickets left, and with Pieterson (42 not out) as the only specialist batsman left, Englands chances of winning are as likely as seeing pigs fly in Malaysia (double whammy ha ha)
Poor English sod copping a Brett Lee thunderbolt
But to their credit, England have performed admirably. After being nominated last year in the Academy Awards Equivalent in Sports for best comeback, the English Cricket Team have managed to prevent Australian batsmen from running off with the match early in the game as has been the norm in the past few ashes. Prolific batsmen such as Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist were unable to capitalise on solid starts, and even Australia's captain Ricky Ponting found the runs hard to come by.
Michael Clarke, Aussie's Golden boy
But, as so often the case has been, when one part of the Aussie team fails, the others pick up the slack. Michael Clarke became the only batsmen in the match from either side thus far to score 70+, making 91 in the 2nd innings. And if the English bowlers were good, the Aussie equivalent have been excellent, Glenn McGrath chief amongst them, making a 5 for in the 1st innings and being the most miserly bowler in the second.
Mike Vaughan's stumps gets an overhaul from McGrath
Kevin Pieterson, England's latest addition to their Test team, appears to be England's only hope now, but even he can do little when his partners' wickets clutter around him. And unless a miracle happens (or rain!), Australia should take a 1-0 lead into the 2nd Test.
Should be a short day of cricket tomorrow! Enjoy!
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