Eng Aus ODI 3 Half Time: Australia fold for 212 as Swann Strikes with Four-For

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Sreelata YellamrazuJun 27 2010

by Vinay Anand

Graeme Swann, England’s most successful off spinner in recent times, did for the Australians once again as he put on a brilliant show of slow bowling at Manchester, Old Trafford in the third ODI of the NatWest series.

graeme swann with england team mates

Swann went on to take 4 for 37 from his quota of 10 overs thus, breaking the back bone of the Australian batting line up. Australia’s innings was interrupted by some splendid bowling from England and some reckless batting from the visitors as they were bundled out for a miserly 212.

An early morning start and the England captain, Andrew Strauss, won the toss and chose to bowl on what looked like a pitch which would offer some bounce and pace with the new ball. But as it wore on, it had a dusty, almost sort of crusty, look thus offering spin and bounce.

The Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, once again had his pattern upheld to bat first in spite of losing the toss. Tim Paine, for a change, was the dominant partner as he took on Tim (Bresnan) in his brief innings of forty-four which composed of nine boundaries. With the new ball, both Paine and Shane Watson were able to play their shots on the up and hammered away at the top of the order.

The duo shared a formidable partnership of seventy-five before a Michael Yardy slider caught Paine in front of the wicket lbw. Strauss, for the first time in the series, brought Swann on early and got the rewards with immediate effect.

Swann proved to be the difference between the two sides. Ponting was his first scalp as he marched down the wicket only to be beaten in the flight. The turn and bounce foxed Ponting who could not come to terms with the ball and was stumped down the leg side.

Michael Clarke walked in and the tactics had changed, spin was out and pace was in. Stuart Broad was back trying to knock Clarke’s head of his shoulders. Meanwhile, Swann continued from one end and got one to spin and bounce as Watson tried to play a deft sweep and was caught at square leg for the top score of the innings for sixty-one. Clarke had yet another start but couldn’t convert it into a big one, dismised for thirty-three runs.

White started off in his typical fashion in recent times- a little bit slow, taking his time to settle down before he opens his shoulders. White swept straight into the hands of Strauss who took a smart catch low down at square leg. It’s amazing how these catches end up straight into the hands of fielders when things aren’t really going well for the batting team. In White’s case he couldn’t continue in the same vain from where he left a couple of days back at the Sophia Gardens. Michael Clarke played a half hearted shot as he chipped one straight to substitute Ian Bell at long off. Swann had got his fourth and ended his spell. Australia still had Mr. Cricket, Michael Hussey, at the crease. There was still hope, or so they thought.

Off spinner gone, bring on the off cutter. Paul Collingwood, who off late has resorted to off cutters rather than his usual medium pace, was brought on by Strauss. Collingwood got one to grip in the surface as Hussey inside edged a Collingwood delivery. The Australians were in dire straits and there was more to come. James Hopes pulled back a Jimmy Anderson slower bouncer onto the stumps before Anderson and Broad joined forces to clean up the tail.

The interesting thing to note was that the first seven wickets to fall had all been a result of slow bowling including the slower bouncer from Anderson to Hopes. Australia though have pace on the ball. Doug Bollinger, Ryan Harris and Shaun Tait are all capable of pushing the speed barrel over the 140 mark with the latter going even over the 150 region. Steven Smith will be a key. The Australians will have to be on their toes. From here it looks to be England all the way.

The Australians back themselves when their backs are against the walls. What remains to be seen is whether they can lift their game to overpower this in form English batting line-up. Captaincy, fielding and the bowling have to be spot on as there is no margin for error while defending such a low total against a strong batting lineup.

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