The Great Ashes Escape

Sham Samaroo

July 13, 2009

It was high drama yesterday at Cardiff on day five of the first test between England and Australia. England were down for the count.

The Aussies, light on their feet, were already half celebrating, half anticipating. The English fan, fearing the worst, still kept vigil, if not with hope, then certainly with a prayer. Could Colly and the boys hold the Aussies at bay?  It was spine-tingling stuff. Was it not so long ago we read so much tripe about the death of test cricket and the preeminence of 20/20? What nonsense…I mean, really. I don’t begrudge 20/20, but lets be clear about something - 20/20 is the Walt Disney/Donald Duck version of the game. Test cricket is the standard bearer – the masterpiece to which every other form must come up short.

At Cardiff yesterday there was no deafening music, or dancing girls to fabricate excitement. No, sir, this was the real deal. Ponting, like a drama queen, alternately pouted and smiled; and then argued some more.

With some 11 overs to go, surely Monty could not survive…or could he? England found themselves here courtesy of some really poor batting at the top of the order. Boy, oh boy, did they miss Vaughany. And the jury is still out on Bopara at number three.  But not for me, though. I have already made up my mind. Bopara just does not fit the bill. Three tons against the currently-on-strike-for-more-money West Indies is no recommendation for number three status.  But back to the game.

On the mat at 70 for 4, it was the ever faithful Collingwood, first with Flintoff and then Swann, who helped England to beat the count. But when Colly fell …surely the Aussies had finally kayoed England.  But two unlikely heroes – Monty and Anderson - stood for the count yet again, and England somehow survived. It’s a day later, and I am still in a daze with the excitement of yesterday’s thrilling finish.

Who would think it?  A game ending in a no result could still be so unforgettable. But that’s test cricket for you.