Today was the day Australia gave England their punishment for having the temerity to unexpectedly win the Ashes last year. The evening session, in which Australia scored at over 7 an over, saw Adam Gilchrist unleash a form of batting carnage upon the hapless England bowlers, who had hitherto bowled quite respectably.
The England attack was occasionally able to control the areas of the WACA ground Gilchrist hit the ball, but unfortunately not the distance. All of them were treated to some spectacular clean hitting from the under pressure wicket keeper, and his three 6's in an over off Monty Panesar caused mayhem in the crowd at deep midwicket. To growing realisation that he might break the world record for the fastest test century in history, held by Viv Richards for his 56 ball destruction of - guess who - England, in 1985, he failed by 1 ball to accomplish the amazing feat.
'Mr Cricket' Mike Hussey also made an excellent hundred along with Michael Clarke, who has clearly become a better player after being dropped from the Australian team last year. England did create some opportunities when they bowled and were on the wrong side of several close umpiring decisions which might have changed the course of the day. But, when all is said and done, there can be no argument that Australia are a better cricket side than this current England team, and they are determined, to the point of obsession, to win back the coveted Ashes urn.
England have been hit hard by the absence of Marcus Trescothick, Simon Jones and Michael Vaughan. Asking Andrew Flintoff to be captain, though supported by many learned observers, has proved to be the wrong decision and the similarities between his forlorn position and that of Ian Botham in 1981 are striking. Both players are natural, instinctive cricketers with good cricket brains but to ask a man to be the key all-rounder with its batting, bowling and fielding roles as well as being the biggest personality in the team is too much.
Big Fred has the weight of the world on his shoulders at the moment, and all true cricket fans, even those of Australian descent, are probably feeling a little sorry for the loveable Lancastrian at present. So tomorrow looks like being the day Australia regain the Ashes. Chasing 557 or more realistically, with 2 days to bat to save the game, England have the chance to show some pride and character with the bat before the inevitable comes. When it does, don't be too hard on them - they have been out-matched by a superior force whose motivation to undo the heartbreak of last year has been too much for this young England team.
Wello
