The Ashes – Third Test, Adelaide Day 2: Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun

 

ADELAIDE DAY 2 MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN GO OUT IN THE MIDDAY SUN

 

One of the real problems of getting old is your hearing and boy have I suffered overnight despite having the’you-beaut-best- of’ hearing aides.

 

I arrived in Walkerville staying opposite the picturesque oval on Tuesday night.Having great pride in myself that I filled up the car with petrol and these extraordinary Adelaide prices $1.57 per litre. Marvellous I will get home with a full tank!

 

The best laid plans of mice and men.

 

I woke this morning in a cold sweat. How come my host (Debbie) could open my car yesterday morning?

 

 It was then that I realised that because of my hearing and a very quiet engine I had travelled over 600 kilometres without turning a wheel.

 

To end my problems when RAA arrived I still had a quarter of a tank of fuel.

 

The highlight of my day came early when my Uber driver when questioned “who do you barrack for?” The answer is usually “India” or “Pakistan”. 

 

His answer, I treated with glee. “I followed the Crows but my son played with Geelong”, he said.

 

Well what can I say. And I did.

 

Which leads to today’s trivia question based on my Uber driver.

 

I represented Australia in cricket at all junior levels and even captained one team. What is my name?

 

As usual the tail wagged and Starc (54) continued his form as the best all-rounder in Test cricket, at the moment. Third in Australia’s batting and 18 wickets to boot speaks for itself.

 

Englands tactics with Joffra paid dividends 5/53.It might become a habit for all cricket nations in the future.

 

Noel Coward’s words are ringing loud and clear again this morning. This time it is in the morning with just a slight change in words ‘mad dogs and English batsmen go out in the midday sun’.

 

NB: I use the word ‘batsmen’ because the lyrics were written in 1931.

 

3 wickets for 5 runs olay, olay, olay after a very promising start.  This is an England who were primed to give the Ashes a real shakeup this time round.

 

Is it the first time in Test cricket that the letter ‘C’ aligns with the stars and Play School?

 

Crawley Caught Carey b Cummins?

 

In today’s heat it is absurd that not one Australian is wearing a white floppy hat. Wonder if CA have ever thought about it other than gathering sponsors money with a health bent?

 

It is hard work out there whatever their respective  bank accounts might say.

 

Stokes and the man – who – would – be – King are fighting hard. Brook has obviously been reading the not to complimentary press about him and taking notes.A flat bat six off Boland was exquisite.

 

A couple of near chances but that is all. The viking and the heir apparent are not meeting fire with fire but with a determination that has only recently reached the team’s luggage.

 

I’m easily confused but Snicko takes the cake. How can a line that has little nicks in it be not out? Benefit of the doubt should not even be considered when you have ‘technology’ in place. Could AI one day usurp even Snicko?

 

I had just finished saying Golden Boy Green would not play in Melbourne and he takes a wicket with his second ball! A stay of execution. Remember Beau Webster from Snug?  Please do because it is hard seeing him playing another Test even though there are no crosses against his CV.

 

As has been his want this series Stokes has shown to be a fine leader with his example. Today, at this point in time he has faced 90 balls for 24 runs showing the steel in his on-field leadership.

 

There has been more Snickos than Snackos today and at last Australia are succesful with Smith given out.

 

The headlines are out late this afternoon ‘SACK SNICKO’.

 

King Carey has taken his fifth catch (Jacks) of the day to add to his hundred runs from yesterday. One could say he is having a very satisfactory match, not the words of Rulebook.

 

Boland says enough is enough with the wickets of Jacks and Carse.

 

4.30pm ACST and an Australian puts on a floppy hat. And he comes from South Africa! 

 

It’s happened, Stokes is injured and it looks serious. He has carried the team for the tour so far and it comes at a bad time.

 

He and Archer have fought doggedly this afternoon to raise the Lions without much help from the rest of the pride or should I say litter as there has been litter pride in the remainder.

 

A grafting day if ever there was one but that is Test cricket

 

 

 

More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.

 

 

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