The Ashes – Second Test, Brisbane: Day 4 – Aussies go two up!
BRISBANE DAY 4
As Horrie Nelson said “ I expect everyman to do his duty” well, by golly at least Ben Stokes and Will Jacks heard him.
Other team members please note.
They played safe, sensible and serene cricket for the opening stanza of the fourth day. It took them an hour and thirty-seven minutes to draw level with Australia and gave the poor souls from home a chance to cheer, clap and shout for the first time in a long while. By ‘lunch, dinner, whatever’ they lead by 10 runs.
There is very little or nothing in the wicket with an occasional ball keeping low. The Oz bowlers weren’t bowling badly and gave little away but the two batters put their nose to the wicket and refused to play any flamboyant strokes.
As he has done in both matches of the series Stokes has led from the front. Maybe he should start leading from the back with a big stick. Jacks has been a great support and has looked the part in only his third Test match. Whether they can weather the storm for the remainder of the game or give their team a chance will be a great effort.
Well they can’t and they didn’t.
Ten minutes after little break it happens.
SPD did the damage with a catch that only he can take. Neser moves the ball a bit, Jacks (41) pushes and Smith dives to his left extended arm and plucks it in. He and Stokes had put on 96 for the 7th wicket in a brave display but it was always going to end this way.
The Australian bowlers don’t give much away at any time and three of the four front-liners were playing for another game in Adelaide.
Standing up to Neser Carey again showed his credentials when the Valiant Viking Stokes (50) nicked one. England 8/227 a lead of 50 and really only rabbits to follow. Never seen Smith so excited as he went for a long run ball in hand. He knew that getting Stokes out was the key to a win.
The last four wickets fall for 17 runs with Smudge catching three of them. Talking of catches the Australians have hardly missed a thing this series while the opposition have hardly caught anything.
One of the aspirants for Adelaide Neser takes the honours with 5/42. Made even better by the fact he took the first two wickets and then both Smith and Stokes.
Neser was well supported by Boland and undoubtedly man-of-the-match Mitchell Starc.
Australia needs 65 to win.
Head and Labuschagne go early to Atkinson while Smith and Archer exchange words about the weather. SPD wants to get the game over quickly and hits two fours and a six to start his innings. He is a class act and is third behind Bradman and Hobbs as the top three run scorers in Ashes tests.
He finishes the game with a six of Atkinson and Australia win by 8 wickets. The same as in Perth. Two up with three to play. 5 – 0 zip is looking likely. Shades of last time England were out in the Antipodes.
Who knows where England go from here. Atkinson and Carse do not keep the pressure on and Archer has no-one to back him up when he applies the pressure. Potts will have to come in for anyone of the quicks. Stokes sums it up by having to bowl too much.
England would be disappointed with Smith who has not set the world on fire and to me is a very ordinary keeper compared to Alex Carey but there is no one else for that spot. The batters will remain the same unless the Pope goes for Bethell.
From Australia’s point of view and we did criticise the selectors for all the farting around they did before the game ‘on who is in, who is out’. They will probably make two changes with Captain Pat coming back! Are we sure about that? Nathan Lyon will return, also there is no doubt about that. Doggett will go even with the game on his own deck and Inglis. This will keep the fast bowling intact and Lyon to do some damage.
It is hard to see Neser being left out and Boland keeps getting wickets when needed.
More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.
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About Bob Utber
At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named 'Chloe on Flinders' and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
Horses for courses happy to bet that Neser won’t play in Adelaide – brilliant catch by Steve Smith he took 3 catches in about 20 minutes bizarre for a fieldsman – Huge difference between the keepers and can’t deny happy that -Jake Weatherald got red ink thanks CB
RULE- Probably right re MGN. Australia have always been keen on “horses for courses”. I would play him as he has a few centuries as well behind him for Inglis. At last your boy Carey is getting some overdue respect- a classy act on and off the field. See you at the Oval?
Hopefully I’m there day 2 involved with coaching juniors we are meant to be on the ground in the lunch break.
Nesser best chance is if they decide to give-Boland a rest.Kez was brilliant v much overdue respect for a class person and family in every way.
Well played, Citrus.
Horses for courses seems the way for Australian selection.
Though it doesn’t hurt to represent NSW.
I’ve always enjoyed Alex Carey but by crikey his match was incredible.
E.REGNANS – No Waratahs on the selection committee but 6 players in the line-up!!
Waiting for response on my note that Kevin Sheedy would have played a big part in Careys total demeanour?
Wish all sporting people were like him.
MALCOLM ASHWOOD -COULD BE RIGHT RE S.BOLAND. There would be a riot if they rested him in Melbourne!