Wello's Ashes Blog

Arriving in hope rather than expectation, the massive British contingent at the WACA were given a demonstration of real grit and determination from England's two youngest batsmen, Alastair Cook and Ian Bell. England only lost 4 wickets for the whole day, and it was a great shame to see 2 of those go in the last 15 minutes when on another day, they might have been offered the chance to go off due to the increasingly bad light.

England closed at 265 for 5 requiring another 292 to win this 3rd test, or more realistically, to bat out the final day. After the despondency of Saturday, it was a joy to see the best of England's batting youth display such application. Ian Bell fell for a lovely 87, which is considered the devil's number in Australia due to it being 13 short of 100. He had an excellent battle with Shane Warne, who refers to Bell as 'The Sherminator' because of his resemblance to the character in the American Pie movies. His willingness to use his feet against Warne resulted in him hitting the wily leg spinner for two straight 6's in addition to some neatly clipped onside 4's. Bell has a lovely balance at the crease in addition to a flowing drive which unfortunately contributed to his dismissal, caught on the drive after Warne had deceived him in the flight.

As for Alastair Cook, he has work to do on his technique against quick bowlers outside the off stump but there is no doubting his temperament or courage. His first Ashes hundred was Athertonesque in style, and for a 21 year old to resist a rampant Australian attack for more than 6 hours is rare indeed.

Glenn McGrath's late wickets with the second new ball have probably sealed England's fate, and the chances of them getting any positive result tomorrow are all but gone now. That won't prevent thousands of England fans turning up at the WACA tomorrow morning to witness what might be the last rites, but at least they now know that with Bell, Cook and Pietersen, the future is not as bleak for English batting as it might have appeared.

Wello