The Ashes – Fourth Test, Melbourne Day 2: Citrus Bob’s Cricket Snicks – England, my England!

 

BOXING DAY

Cricket Snicks

 

Always loved the statistics involved in The Great Game. Day One  94,199  people attended (half of them in shorts), 1009 people passed through the MCC Library, 3200 completed the Shane Warne Health check run by SISU Health.  Another interesting figure that I observed was that 92% of people in corporate boxes were males 55-60% of whom could have dressed better (in my humble opinion). 

 

Incidentally the young woman in charge (Maddy) is the daughter of former Hawthorn premiership player Michael Moncreiff who played in two premeirship for Hawthorn  (1976 – 78) in their Golden Age.  She was delighted with the number of people who came forward to be checked yesterday and hopes to double it by tonight. Even the great David ‘Mumbles’ Lloyd  and the voice of cricket Jim Maxwell took part.

 

The new opener Scott ‘Mr Melbourne’ Boland lasted another 25 minutes which was longer than next in Jake Weatherald.  According to Blood Stained Angel he is not the answer and I agree. Heard of MATTHEW RENSHAW ?  Cap’in Pat has apparently not.

 

Cric Oz had bragging rights over night with the total attendances at the Test and 2 BBL games of 162,408.  Let’s hope that some of the money they make comes back to Grass Roots.

 

Well its lunch time on Day 2 and I don’t think there will be a lunch time tomorrow unless, unless my whipping boy gets amongst the runs to assist SPD.  Oz 6/98 and a lot of hard work to go.

 

Well they certainly did make hard work of it losing the last 3 wickets for 1 run or worse 7/37. The wicket will certainly get a great deal of press but what about the batting? Deplorable. I’ll ease up on PB’s mate but welcome back Beau Webster in Sydney.

 

717 Carse who I have canned since Perth has another four wickets and he really is a remarkable Boeing. He also is a message from the Angels. I will leave it to you mathematicians to work that one out.

 

Australian supporters were now clapping every run made as it is going to be a very tight finish. Richardson played the shot of the day that had the crowd in raptures. Didn’t last long. SPD finished 24 not out, he just could not get the strike

 

175 to win for England doesn’t sound much but in this game but it would be the highest score of the match. Ben Duckett opened up like he was involved in a 12 rounder. Throwing punches from everywhere, got to 34 before Starc disturbed him, but together with Crawley they had put on 51.

 

My mate 717 Carse come in at first drop!  What was Baz thinking? We will see.

 

Didn’t see much as he went for six to give Richo a wicket in his comeback.  Remember him bowling beautifully in Canberra in his first test match against Sri Lanka.  Crippled by injury since.

 

CA not happy that the match will finish well short of five days. Attendees very happy as they have seen plenty of action over two days. Maybe less short games might help. As one correspondent said to me this morning “Test cricket has become like three T20’s rolled into one big T20 Test”.

 

AT TEA England require 98 to win and Australia 8 wickets.

 

Not looking good for Oz now with 69 runs required and the pens will become sharpened. Here is my take. OUT: Green, Weatherald, Neser or Richardson  IN: Renshaw, Webster, Cumming, Murphy  ENGLAND: No change.

 

Crawley goes LBW to Boland and the difference is now 63 and Old Joe will need to compose the batters at the other end to bring off a wonderful victory for the Albions. Young Bethell is showing his mettle.

 

Boland get Bethell for 40 good runs for his side and it will be a coming of age for him. 38 to win. Old Joe still there as the babbling Brook charges at the first ball he receives. It is as if he has to do it.

 

Members are leaving with 37 to get. I wonder if they are Republicans?

 

Another memorable two day Test that many will find hard to remember as so much was happening. No batting stood out not even one half century. Tongue, Stokes and Carse had their moments and the English slippers improved 200%

 

 

ESPN Cricinfo Scorecard

 

 

More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.

 

 

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