Life is a Rollercoaster - England Story

[Chasjs]

With England needing Pakistan to avoid a huge defeat to the Netherlands to qualify but, while their chances of reaching the Super 8s are still quite good, are left waiting for the result of the Pakistan-Netherlands game before finding out their fate.

Alarmingly Pakistan are beaten by the Netherlands after they chase down 132 in 18.4 overs. Fortunately for England that wasn't enough for them to overturn their huge run rate deficit from the first group match and England scrap through in second and the Netherlands are knocked out.

Australia fail to qualify for the Super 8s loosing both group games the the West Indies and Sri Lanka.

The Super 8s haven't been kind to England with them sharing a group with South Africa, India and Sri Lanka with West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the other group.

England's first game is against South Africa followed by India, before finishing off with Sri Lanka.

[Chasjs]

South Africa Game (Super 8s)

The XI that started the first game was used as a base for this eleven with the only change Collingwood out for Mascarenhas. Mascarenhas was dropped to 8 so Malan, Foster and Flintoff started 5, 6 and 7 respectively. Shah was unfortunate to miss out but poor overall form plus the fact that Malan is on great form and is yet to bat in the tournament means Malan is given the nod ahead of him. Although Anderson has been disappointing he gets another chance ahead of Sidebottom.

England won the toss and chose to bat on an unsettled day.
Morgan and Wright got off to a useful start before Wright was removed with England on 31. Morgan went on to form a solid partnership with Bopara to reach his 50 of 37 balls. But that partnership fell next over for 60 as Bopara was bowled. After Morgan went Pietersen and Malan put together a 50 partnership leaving the lower order to finish off. Flintoff got a first baller of Morkal in the final over before Mascarenhas pushed the score to a respectable 169. A big improvement on the last game.

The bowling performance was really good with Flintoff keeping his end tight early on and Broad and Anderson racking up the wickets. Broad wrapped it up in the 16th over when Steyn was caught by Swann to set up a vital win for the hosts.

With the bowling attack as it is Mascarenhas and Wright had to bowl a few overs and, despite Mascarenhas taking a wicket, they were both disappointingly expensive.

England win by 34 runs
Man of the Match - Morgan
England Man of the Match - Morgan for his 52 off 39 to give the innings a good start
Other notable mentions:
Bopara, Pietersen, Malan, Broad, Andserson
Poor Game:
It was a good performance all round.

[Chasjs]

India Game (Super 8s)

After performing impressively in the last game the same XI was picked to face India

England won the toss and chose to bat under unsettled weather, turning to overcast in the evening.
A poor start for the batsmen and England find themselves 32 for 3 after 6 overs. Things seem to be looking up with Malan and Pietersen at the crease until Malan is caught in the deep. Wickets continue to fall with only Flintoff and Foster providing any continuity with a run-a-ball 47 partnership. England eventually limp to a disappointingly poor 125, but at least it's a reasonably defendable target.

India get off to a good start and never looked back. Karthik and Singh combined impressively for a 102 run partnership.

It almost saw India home until Singh was caught behind off Flintoff with the scores level. Sharma came in and made no mistake finishing the innings off next ball.

India win by 8 wickets
Man of the Match - Kartick
England Man of the Match - Broad for some tight bowling giving away only 5 an over and taking the wicket of Gambhir.
Other notable mentions:
Foster, Flintoff, Anderson
Poor Game:
Morgan, Malan

[Chasjs]

Sri Lanka Game (Super 8s)

Again the same team was chosen as I believe this to the our strongest T20 side and intend to stick with it in this game at least. With the winning side going through it's a must win game, although England qualify if scores are tied.

England won the toss and elected to bat
Another poor start with Thushara taking a hat-trick in the 6th over leaving England 33-5 with Pietersen and Flintoff batting. But this partnership only last 30 runs before Flintoff is bowled. He is quickly followed by Pietersen and Mascarenhas leaving England 8-82. Looking like they might roll over for below a hundred England dig in with Swann and Broad who battle to an 8th wicket stand of 51 before Broad is bowled on the penultimate ball. Anderson comes in to hit the final ball of the innings for four, helping England to an unlikely respectable total.

With the bowlers with their work cut out for them needing a big performance for England to reach the Semifinals Broad steams in for the opening ball of the innings hoping to match his success with the bat in England's innings with the ball in Sri Lanka's.... 17 off the first over, nice one Broady. Sangakkara was immense, his 50 came off only 27 balls giving Sri Lanka a good start.

The only hope towards the end was for to expose Sri Lanka's long tail, but wickets couldn't fall regularly enough for that to happen. The bowling in the last 10 overs improved and Sri Lanka found runs harder to come by. Still they reached their target with an over to spare.

Sri Lanka win by 7 wickets
Man of the Match - Thrushara
England Man of the Match - Pietersen, scoring vital runs and bowling 2 decent overs
Other notable performances:
Flintoff, Broad, Swann, Mascarenhas
Poor Game:
Anderson, Wright, Malan, Bopara, Foster

[Chasjs]

World Cup Reaction
Disappointment for England afterstarting the Super 8s so well by beating South Africa.


With the bat, while there were some impressive averages, some of the strike rates weren't quite good enough. Opening with Luke Wright was a bit hit and miss but maybe I went to hard too fast with him. Morgan did a great job at the top of the order and was easily the best Batsman. The bulk of the runs were scored by Pietersen and Bopara and both achieved impressive strike rates. Although he didn't score too many runs I was also impressed by Malan with his good strike rate he did exactly what want him to do, but maybe came in too early too often. Flintoff and Foster were disappointing with the bat and I really expected them to score runs more quickly in the last few overs.

The standout bowler really is Broad. He kept it tight most of the time and finished with impressive figures. Anderson, Flintoff and Swann did well aswell but every now and again they became too expensive. The other bowlers did okay but they were nothing special.


England Man of the Series - Broad some good bowling and doing a good job with the bat when called upon.

Although I had hoped to reach the knock-outs getting knocked out in the Super 8s isn't too bad, especially considering the tough opposition in the group.
With the Ashes around the corner it's back to proper cricket.

[Chasjs]

To finish last in the group wasn't deserved after beating South Africa, no matter how poor our last two performances were.

The Semifinals were Sri Lanka vs New Zealand and South Africa vs Pakistan. New Zealand and South Africa were the winners of these two games. South Africa went on to win in the final.

So on a plus side then we beat the eventual champions.

[Chasjs]

World Cup Highlights

4 - Broad's bowling vs the Netherlands taking 4-29 to win the first game.


3 - Morgan's 74 in the first game to give England a good start to push onto victory.


2 - Swann and Broad's 8th wicket partnership of 51 to save England from an embarassingly low total against Sri Lanka. Broad was bowled in the final over for 29, his best total of the tournament.


1 - Beating South Africa. Swann takes a good catch to dismiss Steyn off the bowling of Broad in the first Super 8 game.

[Chasjs]

The ECB Selection Committee has announced a provisional 18 man squad for the 2009 Ashes Series in England:

ECB Selection Committee
A Strauss*
T Ambrose^
J Anderson
I Bell
R Bopara
T Bresnan
S Broad
P Collingwood
A Cook
A Flintoff
S Harmison
G Onions
M Panasar
K Pietersen
R Sidebottom
G Swann
J Trott
M Vaughan

Not impressing so far this summer and poor domestic form has led to wicket-keeper Foster being dropped in favour of the in form Ambrose. Ambrose has impressed so far in the County Championship with an average of 44.59.

This said, Foster is in reserve should Ambrose get injured or suffer from a poor run. Ambrose's Warwickshire team-mate Trott, also in good form in the County Championship, has been called up and could make his Test debut. He is the highest run scorer at present with 1039 runs to his name at an average of 86.58.

Ex captain Vaughan is also in the squad but faces a tough fight to get into the team with 8 batsmen competing for only 5(possibly 6) places. Collingwood is also in need of a recovery following a poor summer for the batting all-rounder so far. The Captain Strauss, Cook, Pietersen, Bopara and Bell are the other batsmen selected. On the bowling front Onions is in the squad following his good form domestically and in the 2nd West Indies Test. His Durham team-mate Harmison has been given the chance to redeem himself against the Aussies. Sidebottom could make his first Test appearance of the year, as could Panasar, though it looks like he'll play second fiddle to Swann, while Bresnan is the other possible Test debutant in the side.

The rest of the bowling attack is made up by all-rounder Flintoff, Broad and Anderson.

[Chasjs]

First Test

Decided to stick pretty much with the tried and tested line-up, the same team that won the last Test against the West Indies. Broad was going to come in for Onions but poor form domestically made me reluctant to do so. The only other change from the last West Indies Test is the wicket-keeper.

England lost the toss and Australia decided to bat.
Poor first day for England, only takings 3 wickets and both Hughes and Clarke getting centuries. Clarke(120) was bowled by Anderson in the first over of the second day. Haddin followed him shortly after, as did North. The tail hung around long enough for Hussey to get into 3 figures and give the Aussies a huge lead.
With the openers out cheaply the innings didn't get off to the best of starts but Bopara and Pietersen finished off the second day well for England. They both went on to make their centuries before Pietersen was out for 150 off 243 with the partnership reaching 256.

Bopara fell shortly afterwards leaving England 301/4. The lower order all made contributions - Collingwood(17), Bell(51), Ambrose(20) - before Flintoff(75) was was left batting with Onions(10) who put on 70 for the last wicket with Flintoff batting fairly aggressively.
With Australia lading by 57 runs they went out to bat with only 5 sessions remaining in the Test. The Australians got off to a good start until a flurry of wickets left them 218/6 at the start of let last day with a sizeable lead. They went on to declare before lunch with a lead of 322. The only bowler to do well in these conditions was Swann who took 5 wickets.

With little chance of a win England batted out the last day for a draw. Strauss put on a good score but wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end until Ambrose and Bell made the game safe for England.

England Man of the Match - Pietersen for his first innings century.
Other notable mentions:
Bopara, Swann, Anderson, Strauss, Flintoff, Bell
Poor Game:
Collingwood, Cook, Onions

[Chasjs]

Second Test

The same team was picked for the 2nd Test, although Collingwood and Onions were in danger of losing their places due to poor performances in the last Test.

England won the toss for the first time in a Test this year and elected to bat.
It started poorly for England after they were reduced to 111/5 shortly after lunch on the first day. Then Pietersen and Ambrose combined to propel England to a decent total. Ambrose departed for 69 off 114 after a sixth wicket stand of 151. Pietersen continued to perform at the other end, even if he did find partners hard to come by and was left stranded on 173 off 272 balls. His only partner of any note was Swann(42) who he shared 87 runs with.
Australia lost early wickets as Anderson ripped through their top order. He even got Ponting first ball leaving Australia 8/2. Anderson continued to take wickets until Hussey came in. He had good support from Watson(49) who was dismissed by Onions and Haddin(44) who was Anderson's fifth wicket of the game. Hussey was eventually out caught by Pietersen off Flintoff after 102 and 97 run partnerships with Watson and Haddin respectively. Lee added a quick 25 runs off 30 balls before Anderson wrapped up the tail with the new ball, finishing the innings with 8 wickets, leaving Australia 75 runs behind early on the third day. England started well, despite the cloud with Strauss(30) and Cook(22) combining for a 55 run partnership. Pietersen equalled Cook's 22 but could manage no more. Bell was then removed and with England 90/5 they were in very real danger of being bowled and giving Australia a low total to reach. It was Collingwood and Ambrose who provided dug in. Collingwood was dismissed late on the third day for 45. Ambrose and Flintoff started the forth day and both reached their half-centuries. Flintoff got bowled by Clark after a 116 run seventh wicket stand. Ambrose went on to score his century to help England to a defendable total.

He had successful partnerships with Swann, Onions and Anderson with Swann again impressing with 25 off 34. Ambrose was eventually out with England now leading by 440 runs and Australia 4 sessions left. England claimed early wickets aswell with Ponting getting a Pair, this time he survived 3 balls from Anderson. Australia went into the final day 3 down with Anderson sealing his 10th wicket of the match in his final over, Clarke for 43. Hussey fell early next day. As did Hughes for 62. England lost Onions on the stroke of lunch to injury leaving them a bowler light. Australia's middle order added some backbone with Watson(60), Haddin(62) sticking around for a while. Haddin fell early in the final session off Collingwood, he was followed by Lee, also off Collingwood. Johnson and Clark hung around until Swann struck removing Johnson for 44 with 19mins left to take the last wicket. With 4 over left Anderson steamed in and Clark was out caught in the covers.

England had won to go 1-0 up in the series with 3 to play after some great performances carrying the team over the line.

England Man of the Match - Anderson for his match winning 12-176
Other notable mentions:
Pietersen, Ambrose, Flintoff
Poor Game:
Bopara, Bell, Onions

[patrickF690]

well done 8 wickets in a innings for jimmy

[Chasjs]

Thanks, he was the only bowler who performed really. Onions has saved himself from the drop by getting himself injured... clever boy.

[Chasjs]

Third Test

Since Onions is injured and unavailable for selection. He has been replaced in the squad by Sidebottom since Harmison is also injured. Harmison will be out for the next Test aswell I think. Once that was decided the decision to be made was who to replace Onions with. In the end Broad won despite Sidebottom being in slightly better form.

England won the toss. It's not the sort of toss you'd like to win, decent batting pitch with the complication of heavy cloud in the morning and afternoon of the first day. I chose to take a risk and bowl, hopeful of picking up early wickets, getting the Aussies out cheap, making a huge total and then pretty much forcing them to bat second.
It didn't quite go to plan. Australia finished the first day 324/5, despite 44mins lost to rain in the morning with Hughes getting 78 runs and Ponting 163 before he was bowled by Broad in the last over of the day. Watson fell early the next day for 41 and the tail was dealt with soon after with Broad collecting 5 wickets. Haddin was left stranded on an impressive 62 off 79 and Australia 422 all out.

The England top order all disappointed, Strauss(23), Cook(36), Bopara(16), Pietersen(11), Collingwood(32), Bell(17). England finished day two on 186/6, 236 behind. Ambrose was dropped first ball. Not long later Flintoff wasn't, Johnson took a simple slip catch dismissing him for 35. Ambrose reached his half-century putting together a good partnership with Swann. Then Swann was caught lbw off Johnson for 36 bringing Broad to the crease, England still trailing by 140 runs. Ambrose then edged one to the keeper off Watson for 69. Anderson was bowled soon after leaving England 131 runs behind.
Hughes and Katich put together a good opening partnership before Katich was caught in the slips off Broad for 35. Ponting went cheaply before the close of play on the third day, as did Clarke. Hussey and Watson followed the next morning in the first over, Anderson showing the form he showed in the last game. Haddin and Hughes rebuilt. England had to wait until the new ball before Flintoff removed Hughes for 179. Australia declared soon after with Haddin on 92, Australia with a lead of 496 runs, England with four sessions to achieve it in.
England started well with Strauss and Cook batting through the evening and into the next day. With 415 needed to win it looked like England couldn't win, they just had to bat out the day for a draw. Strauss and Cook both reached their fifty's and put on 129 together before Strauss fell for 61 but England lost not further wickets before lunch, despite Bopara batting nervously. He had reason to be as he went in the first over after lunch for 9. Pietersen and Cook batted well, Cook making a century and Australia taking the new ball.

Pietersen was dismissed shortly after tea for 42. Four balls later, Collingwood joined him, scoring just 1 run. Bell didn't hang around much either making 19 off 18 showing aggression when it was not needed. Ambrose departed for just 2 leaving Australia 4 wickets from victory and England a hour left from a draw. Flintoff was removed shortly for 3. Swann made 14 before edging one to leg slip for 14 with 3 overs left. Broad followed leaving Australia 7 balls to take one wicket. Anderson blocked the last ball of the over leaving Cook on strike for the final over. Cook fended off everything Johnson could throw at him, refusing to take the singles on offer. England taking a draw. The Series, shaping up to be better than 2005.

England Man of the Match - Cook for his game saving 146, batting through the innings to achieve what was required of him after so pretty poor form so far in the series.
Other notable mentions:
Broad, Ambrose, Strauss
Poor Game:
Bopara, Bell

[Chasjs]

Think I've gone into a bit too much detail over the last two tests but they really have been great games. I'm just trying to convey the emotion of the games but there's just too many ups and downs... the last few overs of that last game I almost started feeling a bit sick as I thought the draw was in the bag going into the last session 8 wickets intact. The tension was almost unbearable as I went through it ball by ball.

[Chasjs]

Forth Test

The equation simple. Win this Test. Regain the Ashes. With this in mind the same squad was named for the forth Test.

England won the toss and took no chances this time and chose to have a bat. England batted slowly at first getting to 139 at tea before Cook went for 58. Bopara followed but Pietersen and Strauss finished the day strongly with Strauss making his century. They went on to put 221 together and Pietersen making his century before Strauss was out with England on 372.

Collingwood started well but yet again disappointed. Bell saw Pietersen overtake Strauss' score but not much more. Pietersen eventually departed for yet another mammoth score. Ambrose made 47 and Flintoff a rapid 74. England declared on 603.
Australia lost 3 wickets before the close of play on the third day still 462 behind. England's only chance of a win seemed to be forcing the follow-on but there was a long way to got yet. That plan didn't start well with Hussey and Clarke making 87 and 132 respectively. But great bowling by Broad and Swann meant Australia fell 224 short and were asked to follow-on. Swann sealed another 5 wicket haul by taking the final wicket.
The game looked to be going towards a draw after tea on the 4th day with Australia batting again. Only a seriously good bowling display could take the game, the Series and the Ashes for England with time running out. But Anderson dismissing Hughes in the third ball of the innings gave England hope. Flintoff rammed home the advantage taking the vital wicket of Ponting. Katich and Hussey followed leaving Australia 130 behind going into the final day. Australia passed England's total 5 down. England took the new ball shortly afterwards hoping to wrap the tourists up quickly. Anderson took the new ball and Haddin went fifth ball. Johnson survived till tea until he was Anderson 5th wicket of the innings. But Clarke was too good and managed to see Austalia home.

England came close to clinching the Series but the Aussies dug in to send it to a Fifth Test. With the Ashes still to play for can England hold on for a draw or will Michael Clarke's heroics spur the Australia on.

England Man of the Match - Pietersen for yet another huge score
Other Notable Mentions:
Strauss, Flintoff, Swann, Anderson
Poor Game:
Bopara, Collingwood, Bell although it's unfair to judge them on just one innings.