365 Sporting Days

I’m going to try to do this one as I go along as I’m heading to the theatre this evening. I woke up to drizzle and a cloudy sky, which sent me shopping for more suitable attire. That meant I was 5 minutes late.

But, I didn’t miss the 2 wickets Stuart Broad took in successive balls! I’m not sure if David Warner has a mental block when it comes to Broad, but, he fell to him, again!

Next in was Marnus Labuschagne, a different prospect, I said to my neighbour, but no, he was out for a Golden Duck as he edged to Bairstow! Broad was on a Hat-Trick!

Warner had walked in to a few boo’s and Steve Smith came in to some, not great, but it was a minority. Were we in 8 for 15 territory? Smith, most definitely is a different prospect and of course survived the Hat-Trick ball.

Jimmy Anderson was bowling from the Birmingham end of the ground, the ball was swinging 3 times more for England with the overheads in their favour! Harry Brook was the change bowler from the pavilion end, that was a curve ball, it was just one over, but must’ve caused some wonder for the batters. Ollie Robinson as might have been expected was up next

The sun started to shine at just before 12:30 making my regret my decision to buy jeans! Moeen Ali was in his second over having taken over from Jimmy, Lyon had bowled 29 on Day 1, I imagine Moeen hoped he wouldn’t be asked to do the same, having not played red ball cricket for 2 years.

A Facebook friend, Julie Hall got a cake sound check on TMS, I didn’t mention TMS yesterday, I had to buy one of the earpieces on Day 1 as my Digital Radio didn’t have any signal. Julie’s cakes are amazing, I’m thrilled for het!

Ben Stokes came on to bowl to replace Robinson, a neighbour behind predicted double digits from his first over, his first ball, was a No Ball. Stuart B-road had his 3rd attempt at getting the ball changed, with only 25 overs bowled, Umpire Esrasmus agreed on this go and the ball was changed. This has happened a lot in County Cricket this season, I can only presume there’s a problem with the balls again this year! Stokes conceded just 2 run from the bat.

Steve Smith was given out LBW from the bowling of Stokes, he reviewed, of course, and to the delight of the majority of the crowd the review was a positive one for England, it wasn’t even Umpires Call! Smith was out for 16.

With a 5 minute delay for the start lunch was 5 minutes later, that gave Moeen a chance to discomfort Travis Head and Joe Root had an over from the Pavilion end.

Australia went into lunch on 78 for 3. Broad returned for the 2nd over after lunch, we were in full sun so no overheads to aid the bowlers. But his 8th over certainly challenged Head.

Jason Gillespie was on TMS after lunch, I enjoyed listening to him on Day 1. He’s obviously very knowledgeable and he has a great tone of voice.

Khawaja hit a massive Six on the first ball of Moeen’s 2nd over after lunch, he didn’t even bother to watch it go. He reached his 50 from 106 balls, he hasn’t always fared well in Engld and this was a key innings for Australia.

Head brought Australia’s 100 up with a 4 from a straight drive off a Moeen ball.

It was interesting to see Mark Wood come on as a sub fielder, a real character he acknowledged the Hollies Stand before taking his place.

Head survived an England review for a catch from the bowling of Robinson, Wood caught the ball which had hit Head’s arm, ouch, but not out!

Head’s 50 came up from 60 balls, he’d weathered a few bouncers and hit some great shots. Australia had added 59 in 7.4 overs.

Moeen had taken a bit of a battering but he got Head who tried to hack him through mid-wicket. Caught by Crawley Australia were on 148 for 4. It was a poor shot from Head and a good catch for Crawley. Cam Green should have been stumped in the same over, but Bairstow missed the ball.

Anderson replaced Robinson from the Pavilion End, conceding just 2 runs from his 7th over.

Australia went in to tea on 188 for 4 after Green had hit 2 Fours from Root’s bowling. Khawaja was on 84 from 176 balls.

The most notable events in the first ten minutes after tea involved the left side of the Hollies Stand joining in with the singing to the delight of the right and middle!

England’s bowlers in waiting all had a field, we saw Wood, Woakes and Potts at various stages, hopefully all will be seen with ball in hand during the series.

The missed stumping cost England 38 runs, but Moeen got his man, a ball totally eluded Green to hit his stumps. He and Khawaja had put on 72. Australia were 220 for 5.

An overjoyed Khawaja hit a Four to reach his Century from 199 balls, his celebration was a joy to see! He’d played a great innings.

The ball was changed for the 2nd time with 71 overs bowled, not great! With 4 overs remaining until the new, new ball Brook took the ball and bowled a Maiden, the first of his career!

Brook bowled a No Ball on what should’ve been the last ball of his over, that made it 12 for the day for England. Root bowled the 80th over of the day and had Carey dropped by Bairstow.

The 13th No Ball of the day was bowled by Broad, sadly for England the ball went straight through Khawaja to bowl him, he started walking off but was rightly called back. Alex Carey adding insult to injury hitting a classy Four a couple of balls later. That was 2 wickets missed in 2 overs.

A mention for Jim Maxwell on TMS and the Shipping Forecast, he announces it with great enthusiasm!

Khawaja and Carey made England pay as the day came to an end, Carey reached his 50 from 69 balls. Finishing the day on 52, Khawaja on 126 and Australia on 311 for 5. Another great day of cricket!

Photos to follow!