Storm halts Aussies’ charge

MUMBAI, November 24: All the momentum that England had built up with their series win over South Africa was quickly eroded by some inept bat...

MUMBAI, November 24: All the momentum that England had built up with their series win over South Africa was quickly eroded by some inept batting against Australia at the Gabba. In the end it didn’t lead to an embarrassing defeat as an enormous thunderstorm brought the game to a premature end, but eventually nothing will save England from their own mistakes.

England paid a heavy price for not taking Stuart Macgill out of the game mentally when they had the opportunity in the first innings. If the batsmen had dealt more severely with the loose stuff, as they should have, then the leg-spinner’s fingers would have been trembling when he took the ball in the second innings.

Atherton was trying to claw back some of the psychological advantage which McGrath had claimed and he was doing a fair job having hit two really good hook shots earlier. If he’d aimed the fatal one in front of square-leg rather than behind, he probably would’ve survived to continue the scuffle with McGrath, instead of further adding to thebowler’s feeling of superiority.

Story continues below this ad

Having been reprieved in the first innings when his confidence was down, Macgill showed no such generous nature with his tail up. After lunch, he got into a good rhythm, spinning the ball on the wearing surface and displaying adequate variety. He forced Nasser Hussain to chop on as he attempted to cut a perfectly pitched wrong-un and then lured Mark Ramprakash out if his crease when the last thing the Englishman really wanted to do was leave home.

When a right-hand batsman has his left foot going forward but the back one is reluctant to follow it means the player is thinking about the wicket-keeper and generally in that situation, the gloveman gets an opportunity. Ian Healy didn’t miss his chance and Macgill had his man — a despondent Ramprakash.

Remarkable then, that a day on which England had been bewitched, bothered and bewildered by a leg-spinner should conclude with the Australian selectors replacing him with a part-time off-spinner for the next Test. Really, ColinMiller replacing Macgill! Now, I’m as confused as the England batsmen.

Scoreboard

Australia (1st innings): 485

England (1st innings): 375

Australia (2nd innings): 237 for three declared

England (2nd innings): Michael Atherton c Fleming b McGrath 28, Mark Butcher lbw Macgill 40, Nasser Hussain b Macgill 47, Alec Stewart c Ponting b Mark Waugh 3, Graham Thorpe c Langer b Mark Waugh 9, Mark Ramprakash st Healy b Macgill 14, Dominic Cork not out 21, Robert Croft not out 4. Extras (lb3, w1, nb9): 13. Total (for six wickets, in 68 overs): 179

Fall of wickets:1-46, 2-96, 3-103, 4-133, 5-148, 6-161

Story continues below this ad

Bowling:McGrath 16-6-30-1, Kasprowicz 8-3-28-0, Fleming 7-2-12-0, Macgill 22-4-51-3, Mark Waugh 14-0-55-2, Ponting 1-1-0-0

Man-of-the-match:Glenn McGrath (Australia)

Adani group chief Gautam Adani. The regulator made it clear that none of the charges in the show-cause notice could be proved. It also confirmed there was no violation of the Sebi Act concerning fraudulent or unfair trade practices.

Clean chit for Adani: Sebi dismisses insider trading claims raised by Hindenburg

Business1 hr ago

Sebi clears Gautam Adani and Adani Group of all charges by Hindenburg Research. Allegations of insider trading and market manipulation proved unfounded. No violation of Sebi Act. Adani Group remains committed.

View all shorts

Live Blog