The Ashes - First Test - Day 2
I’m not a betting man (well not much of one anyway!) but if I was I would have put money on England losing a couple of quick wickets when chasing a massive 602. The first session is crucial to the match now, with Bell and Pieterson needing to bat through until lunch time at the very least. If one or the other gets out early doors, then England could be staring down the face of a “innings plus” defeat. Bat through and avoid the follow on (unlikely) or bat long enough to force a draw and the Ozzies will feel like they have lost.
I stayed up to watch the first hour and see Harmison continue to spray the ball all round the wicket, and could only feel for him. If a batsman is out of touch then he gets out and goes back to the pavillion to hide, whereas a bowler must stay and face the music. Made even harder when surrounded by 40000 people, 38000 of whom are praying for you to get it wrong!
Don’t forget though that he is still a great bowler contrary to what some muppet on the BBC Blog is suggesting, which is that he has never been any good. Not so long ago he was the world number one. You don’t get there without being good. So he IS still a great bowler, just a great bowler out of form!
