Aimee Howarth looks back at the first White Rose Varsity weekend between York and Hull
Matt Cooke previews this weekend's white rose varsity tournament against Hull
James Tompkinson talks to YUSU Sports President candiate Sam Asfahani
James Tompkinson talks to YUSU Sports Presidential Candidate Ben McGladdery
Day 1
Day 1 was a story of redemption. Chris Tremlett, playing his first test match for England in three years, whose promise and talent had been all but forgotten, took the Australians by storm. He finished with figures of 3-63 from 23 overs, including two sensational balls to bowl Phil Hughes through the gate and flummox Michael Clarke who snicked him to Prior on his second ball. If Tremlett can back this performance up in the future, he may well cement himself as the world’s premier fast bowler, his body language is much improved since he last played for England. His aggression, his appetite in apparent, and his control over bounce and length has improved leaps and bounds. Anderson took 3-61 from 20 overs, including the prize wicket of Ricky Ponting, a superb catch at third slip from Collingwood, reminiscent of Andrew Strauss’ now iconic catch back in 2005.
The Australians were in real trouble at 28-3, when Mike Hussey entered the arena. Having grown up at Waca, Hussey knew the pitch, he knew what to leave, and he was happy to leave all day. England kept the pressure up however, with Finn removing Watson LBW, and Smith falling foul to Tremlett just after lunch. Haddin came in at 69-5, and he formed another strong partnership with Hussey, as they did in Adelaide. This time they put on a 50 run partnership from 68 balls, and looked to be settling into a worrying rhythm. Finn started to struggle, with his run rate slipping above 5 an over, and he was replaced with Swann, who, although expensive, got the crucial breakthrough, removing Hussey for 61 caught behind. The recalled Mitchell Johnson started slowly but soon returned to his bullish ways, hitting numerous boundaries on the way to 62.
Despite having on paper a very long tail, the lower order Australian batsmen did well to make up for their higher order’s ineptitude. Johnson, Harris, Siddle and Hilfenhaus contributed over 100 runs, more than the top four of the batting order. Australia finished on 268 all out, however, when you consider we had them up against the ropes at 69-5 with just one recognized batsmen left, they should not have been allowed past 200. Strauss and Cook started strongly, leaving intelligently as Hussey had done earlier in the day, and at the close of play, England were 29 without loss.
Day 2
Day 2 was another story of redemption. This time, Mitchell Johnson, the loose cannon, the unknown quantity, dropped in Brisbane after a dire display in Adelaide, had his turn to win the plaudits. And win them he did. Following his impressive display of confidence with the bat yesterday, he channelled his focus into a devastating spell of champion swing bowling. Finishing with an incredible 6-38 from 18 overs, he tore through England’s batsmen.
At 78-0, Harris dismissed Strauss for 52, and shortly after Cook was caught by Hussey at gulley attempting a cover drive off Johnson, a ball he probably should have left. Then the magic happened. England lost 3 wickets for 4 runs in 18 of the next deliveries. Trott, Pietersen and Collingwood were beaten by three world-class deliveries from Johnson. The sheer movement on the ball would have been enough to flummox any world-class batsmen, and suddenly England’s powerhouse had vanished.
With England standing at 98-5, and Mitchell Johnson firing all cylinders, 268 seemed a long way away. Only Ian Bell was able to offer any resistance, adding 53, but he fell to Harris before being able to do any more damage. The tail end of Swann, Anderson, Tremlett and Finn added 14 runs, quite paltry considering the 113 put on by Australia’s last 4 batsmen. England finished on 187 all out, and the tables had turned. A reinvigorated Australia came out and finished the day 119-3 to hold a 200 run lead, Shane Watson hitting 61.
A win in this test would have secured the Ashes for the first time Down Under since Mike Gatting captained the team to victory 1987, and would have been the first time in history that England had secured the Ashes before Christmas. Now however, there is a lot of work to do to stop Australia getting back into the series.
With thanks to Jon Waghorne for 'expert' analysis
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