Yorked!!! – By Chetan Narula.

Hara-kiri Redefined…….

I could never understand how Australia scored 500 plus runs in the first innings of the test at Adelaide against India in the 2001 series and lost the match. That is something that doesn’t happen too often in cricket. But lightning can sometimes strike twice at the same place. Only this time the Aussies were not at the receiving end.

The theory of matting the opposition and them squishing them on the same mat applies to all teams. The English however did little in this match that one would call prudence or even gave a hint that they wanted to win the match, forget about saving the prized urn. And that is why if England lose this series, which they eventually will, I wont be surprised to see the heads of Duncan Fletcher and Andrew Flintoff (as captain) roll. For they have failed both in the team selection or the motivation.

Ponting’s decision to not enforce the follow on in the first test seemed to have rubbed off on them as Collingwood and Pieterson first piled on the runs on the first day and then, misery on the kangaroos the second day. However as mentioned earlier that was about all they did right. For what on earth are u thinking if you declare at a score of 551/6 with three days still left?

Cricketing logic right? Bat yourself into a safe position and then give your bowlers a decent chance. But then I ask you, what is a safe score against this Aussie side, boasting of Hayden, Langer, Ponting and the fearsome Gilchrist and that too against a half decent bowling attack. Well 551 is not and that is exactly what they proved. They chased down the English total but finished up at 513 themselves, with quite an innings from Michael Clarke.

India beat Australia here in 2001 because they shot them out in the second innings for a paltry score. And that is exactly what they themselves did. I can’t remember when Warne and co. failed twice in a match. And so the Poms were bowled out for a miserable 129, a total lead of 165 runs. The Australians were required to chase them down in ODI fashion in a minimum of 36 overs. Again what is impossible for these Aussies, you might ask. Exactly, as Hussey played a blinder worth 61 and guided them home. And that’s 2-0 up in the series.

What went wrong after scoring 551? Simply put questionable team selection. Why oh, why is Monty Panesar not in the team? If they won’t play two spinners here, then what are they waiting for, Perth? Only Adelaide and Sydney give you the comfort of playing two spinners in Australia. This was their chance as Monty has been touted as the weapon in the English arsenal this season. And he has lived up to that billing so far. Plus the reason given that Giles could add those extra runs was cancelled out by the foolish declaration. And that’s why a visit to employment exchange has been predicted for the coach and the captain. Flintoff by the way is a shadow of the “Botham Re-incarnation” we saw last year and needs to fire badly for the English to have a semblance of a chance in the next three matches.

The urn is almost back in Aussie hands. They have tasted blood, there is no stopping them now.