Wednesday 15 December 2010

Ashes Series 2010/2011: Australia v England Third Test Scores, Commentary & Twitter Updates from WACA - 2010/2011

Ashes Series 2010/2011: 

V
 Australia v England Third Test.
Scores, Commentary & Twitter Updates from The WACA in Perth - December 16-20, 2010.
MATCH RESULT
3RD TEST - AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
 DAY FOUR - Stumps 
V

Australia 1st Innings: 268 All Out. 
England 1st Innings: 187 All Out.
Australia 2nd Innings: 309 All Out.
England 2nd Innings: 123 All Out.
Australia win Test Match by 267 Runs & level series 1-1.

AUSTRALIA & ENGLAND are 1-1 in the Best of Five Ashes Tests.
1st Test: Draw - Review
2nd Test: England won by an Innings & 71 Runs - Review
3rd Test: Australia won by 267 Runs.

Welcome to the dedicated Ashes Page for the Third Test of the 2010/2011 Ashes Series between Australia & England from the WACA Ground in Perth.

There are Pages set up for every Test. 1st Test Review - 2nd Test Review

Makes sure you keep track of the Winners & Losers from Every Day of the 3rd Test on this page during the Test Match.

Here are The 3rd Test Player Ratings
Note: There is a Player of the Series Award based on the Player Ratings and an MVP Award based on IMPACT over the course of the Series. It is of course possible for one player to take out both awards. All Ratings out of 10.
AUSTRALIA - 3rd Test Team
Phil HUGHES - 4
Shane WATSON - 8
Ricky PONTING (c) - 4
Michael CLARKE - 4
Michael HUSSEY - 10
Steven SMITH - 6
Brad HADDIN - 7
Mitchell JOHNSON - 10
Ryan HARRIS - 9
Peter SIDDLE - 7
Ben HILFENHAUS - 8
Michael BEER (12th Man)
ENGLAND - 3rd Test Team
Alastair COOK - 5
Andrew STRAUSS (c) - 6
Jonathan TROTT - 5
Kevin PIETERSEN - 3
Paul COLLINGWOOD - 4
Ian BELL - 7
Matt PRIOR - 4
Graeme SWANN - 4
James ANDERSON - 6
Chris TREMLETT - 8
Steven FINN - 7
Tim BRESNAN (12th Man)

2010/2011 ASHES MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE SERIES POINTS - 3rd Test
Each Test 8 Votes are given out - 5 for Man of the Match, 2 for Next Best & 1 for Next Best after that.

5 - Mitchell JOHNSON, Australia
Helped himself to a valuable 62 runs in the 1st Innings when Australia needed it badly then came out on Day 2 and rolled England's vaunted top order with a stunning spell of SWING bowling. Finished the job with 6/38 in England's 1st Innings then came out and added another 3/44 in the 2nd Innings. Match Figures of 9/82 and 66 runs with the bat - fair return to Test Cricket Mitch. wdnicolson.blogspot.com.

2 - Michael HUSSEY, Australia
What a player! Has not been dismissed for less than 52 in his 5 Test Innings this Ashes Series and has racked up two centures (195 & 116) amongst a monster 517 total runs at 103.4. Is playing the pull shot better than anyone in world cricket right now and has just looked too good for most of the English bowlers once set. His targeting of Graeme Swann in the 2nd Innings saw him score 30 runs off Swann's 32 deliveries to him - this coming off the 1st Innings when it took Swann just 3 balls to remove a set Hussey. He's now passed Alastair Cook for the leading series run getter and his two innings of 61 & 116 were instrumental in giving Australia's bowlers something to bowl with. Outstanding performance. wdnicolson.blogspot.com.

1 - Ryan HARRIS, Australia
Harris was Australia's best bowler in Adelaide and the selectors' stuck with him for this WACA surface and he rewarded their faith with match figures of 9/106. Took the key wickets of Strauss & Bell in England's 1st Innings (along with Swann) to finish with 3/57 and then ripped England apart in the 2nd Innings. He picked up Cook, Collingwood, Bell, Anderson, Prior & Finn to return 2nd Innings figures of 6/48 - including the huge wicket of Collingwood on the final ball of Day 3. This all came after bowling poorly with the new ball late on Day 1 - so he showed he can rebound after a bad spell - a massive feather to have in a fast bowler's cap. He'll wear that cap in Melbourne too. wdnicolson.blogspot.com.

2010/2011 Ashes Series Awards:
Note: There is a Player of the Series Award based on the Individual Test Player Ratings and an MVP Award based on IMPACT in each Test over the course of the Series. It is of course possible for one player to take out both awards. 
Player of the Series Ratings Progress Points after 3 Tests:
Michael HUSSEY 28, Alastair COOK 24, James ANDERSON & Ian BELL 23, Jonathan TROTT 22, Steven FINN, Brad HADDIN & Shane WATSON 21.
Each Test Rating is out of 10.
MVP of the Series Progress Points After 3 Tests:
7 Points - Alastair COOK ENG; 5 Points - Mitchell JOHNSON, AUS & Kevin PIETERSEN ENG; 4 Points - Michael HUSSEY AUS; 1 Point - Jimmy ANDERSON ENG, Ryan HARRIS, AUS & Peter SIDDLE AUS.
Each Test 8 Votes are given out - 5 for Man of the Match, 2 for Next Best & 1 for Next Best after that.
MATCH REVIEW
For the Full Scorecard (Click for link to cricket.com.au)
3RD TEST - AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
 DAY FOUR - Stumps 
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Australia 1st Innings: 268 All Out. 
England 1st Innings: 187 All Out.
Australia 2nd Innings: 309 All Out.
England 2nd Innings: 123 All Out.
DAY FOUR
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
At Stumps: | AUS 309 (M Hussey 116, S Watson 95, S Smith 36 | C Tremlett 5/87, S Finn 3/97) from 86 Overs & 268 (M Johnson 62, M Hussey 61, B Haddin 53, P Siddle 35 | J Anderson 3/61, C Tremlett 3/62, G Swann 2/52, S Finn 2/86) from 76 Overs DEFEATED ENG 187 (I Bell 53, A Strauss 52, A Cook 32 | M Johnson 6/38, R Harris 3/59) from 62.3 Overs & 123 (J Trott 31 | R Harris 6/47, M Johnson 3/44) from 37 Overs - Australia win by 267 Runs..
DAY FOUR WINNERS/LOSERS
Winners - Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson & Ricky Ponting.
Ryan Harris took 4 wickets on Day 4 - removing Jimmy Anderson, Ian Bell, Matt Prior & Steven Finn to finish with 6/48 in the 2nd Innings and 9 wickets for the match. He was Australia's best bowler in Adelaide and has grew wings in this Test match with key wicket taking spells. Mitchell Johnson may have only taken the one wicket this morning of Graeme Swann but his match figures of 9/82 are brilliant. Ricky Ponting didn't take the field on Day 4 due to a busted left pinkie finger but this victory is huge for the besieged Australian captain. If his finger heals in time he'll skipper the team in the Boxing Day Test thanks to his bowlers at the WACA but runs must come in Melbourne.
Losers - Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Jimmy Anderson & Andrew Strauss.
Ian Bell remained in good nick on his way to 16 runs but he fell plumb LBW trying to play across the line to Harris - the Test was over. And when Matt Prior fell for 10 caught at gully by a diving Michael Hussey just 3 balls later there was little doubt the Test was going to be over before Lunch on Day 4. Both had the ability to make Australia earn their victory the hard way but fell to poor shot selection. Jimmy Anderson has been vocal on the field - with both ball and mouth - and in fairness his bowling has backed the latter up but when Ryan Harris sent his off-stump flying that was a gentle reminder that what goes around comes around. Andrew Strauss must be a calm figure this week at training - England are still in the box seat to retain the Ashes but any sign of panic from the skipper will not be a good thing for the team - this is a loss, a bad loss but he must remind his players that the series is still very much alive for them to win - not just draw.
WHO WON THE DAY'S PLAY?
Day Four - Australia
So the Test Series is now level. Australia crushed England in just 37 overs with the tourists needing 391 runs to win and boasting a batting lineup that had seemed invulnerable just days ago in Adelaide & Brisbane. How far the wheel has turned won't truly be known until the first day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne starting December 26 - but Australia's victory here has revived the hopes of not only the team but the nation of Australia as well. 
Advantage Australia heading to the MCG!
3RD TEST - AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
 DAY THREE - Stumps 
V
Australia 1st Innings: 268 All Out. 
England 1st Innings: 187 All Out.
Australia 2nd Innings: 309 All Out.
England 2nd Innings: 5/81 need 310 runs to win.
DAY THREE
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
At Stumps: | ENG 5/81 & 187 v AUS 268 & 309 - England need 310 runs to win.
DAY THREE WINNERS/LOSERS
Winners - Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson & Chris Tremlett.
Michael Hussey produced yet another high quality knock to finish with 116 and give Australia a 390 run lead when the Aussies were finally dismissed. His pull shot is the best in world cricket right now. Watson fell just 5 runs short of a century and registers another score in the 90s (95 before being trapped LBW not playing forward or back... again by Chris Tremlett who finished with 5/87). Australia's pace attack then stepped up a notch in the evening session - pushing England to the brink with the entire top order gone by the last ball of the day. Ben Hilfenhaus removed Kevin Pietersen as a reward for a superb test match of swing bowling, Ryan Harris got the early breakthrough of Alastair Cook and then the last ball of the day scalp of Paul Collingwood, while Mitchell Johnson got Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott.
Losers - Entire English Top Order, Graeme Swann & Ricky Ponting.
England's Top Order Scores by stumps on Day 3: Strauss 15, Cook 13, Trott 31, Pietersen 3, Collingwood 11. Doesn't read well when you're chasing 390 to win a Test Match. Graeme Swann was taken apart on Day 3 and finished with unflattering figures of 0/51 off 9 overs as Australia sprinkled him all over the WACA. Ricky Ponting is here only because his missed catch on the Trott dismissal (Haddin took the rebound chance) may have cost him the rest of the series with a busted finger.
WHO WON THE DAY'S PLAY?
Day Three - Australia
This looks like being Australia's Test let alone their day on Day 4. Watson may have fallen short of a 100 but he gave Michael Hussey the platform to build Australia's lead to a huge 390 - despite 2 days remaining. Australia's tail didn't wag like on Day 1, but getting the total over 300 and the lead to almost 400 looks like enough. Then England capitulated for the second time in the match as Australia's quicks tore the heart out of the top order... England are reeling at 5/81 and Australia should level the series tomorrow.
3RD TEST - AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
 DAY TWO - Stumps 
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Australia 1st Innings: 268 All Out. 
England 1st Innings: 187 All Out.
Australia 2nd Innings: 3/119 England 2nd Innings: 
DAY TWO
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
At Stumps: | AUS 3/119 (S Watson 61* & M Hussey 24*) & 268 (M Johnson 62, M Hussey 61, B Haddin 53, P Siddle 35 | J Anderson 3/61, C Tremlett 3/62, G Swann 2/52, S Finn 2/86) from 76 Overs V ENG 187 (I Bell 53, A Strauss 52, A Cook 32 | M Johnson 6/38, R Harris 3/59) from 62.3 Overs.
DAY TWO WINNERS/LOSERS
Winners - Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, Ian Bell & Steven Finn.
Mitchell Johnson claimed 6/38 from 17.3 overs and tore the heart out of the England batting lineup - dismissing Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen & Paul Collingwood in an inspired spell of genuine swing bowling. He would return later to dismiss Chris Tremlett & Jimmy Anderson - following up the good work by Ryan Harris 3/59 (getting Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell & Graeme Swann) and the luckless but extremely consistent Ben Hilfenhaus 0/53 from 21 overs. Shane Watson & Michael Hussey have tried to reclaim the advantage Australia had entering their 2nd Innings with fine knocks of 61* and 24* respectively. Ian Bell once again looked stylish in innings of 53, while Steven Finn made the key breakthroughs of Phil Hughes & Ricky Ponting late in the day.
Losers - Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood. Ricky Ponting, Phil Hughes & Michael Clarke.
England's vaunted middle order was mortal for a day as Jonathan Trott 4, Kevin Pietersen 0 & Paul Collingwood 5 were rocked by Mitchell Johnson. Forunately for England Ricky Ponting, Phil Hughes & Michael Clarke all failed as well - making the English feel a lot better about their efforts on Day 2 than they should be.
WHO WON THE DAY'S PLAY?
Day Two  - Australia
Finally! The English streak of consecutive Test Days in control is over... well sort of. While it was Mitchell Johnson Day at the WACA - England have got themselves a foothold in the game by dismissing the Australian captain & vice captain cheaply and will enter Day 3 of the Test only 200 runs behind and needing just 7 more wickets to dismiss Australia. Johnson's 6/38 was sensational but Australia will have to rely on Watson, Hussey, Smith & Haddin to press home the advantage the left arm quick gave them on Day 2. Australia have the lead in the game but we all know that England's track record suggests they won't be easy to knock over in the 2nd Innings.
3RD TEST - AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
 DAY ONE - Stumps 
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Australia 1st Innings: 268 All Out. England 1st Innings: 0/29.
Australia 2nd Innings: England 2nd Innings: 
DAY ONE
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
At Stumps: | ENG 0/29 (A Cook 17* & A Strauss 12*) from 12 Overs v AUS 268 (M Johnson 62, M Hussey 61, B Haddin 53, P Siddle 35 | J Anderson 3/61, C Tremlett 3/62, G Swann 2/52, S Finn 2/86) from 76 Overs.
DAY ONE WINNERS/LOSERS
Winners - Chris Tremlett, Andrew Strauss, Jimmy Anderson, Graeme Swann, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson.
Chris Tremlett paid the English Selectors back in spades for their faith in his ability by knocking over Phil Hughes and Michael Clarke early, bowling economically in between then taking the wicket of Steven Smith. England showed they wanted to win this Test by picking Tremlett over the steady and safer option of Tim Bresnan. Finished with 3/62 from 23 overs.
Andrew Strauss won the toss and bowled and was batting by the end of Day 1. That's a win ladies and gentlemen. Was 12* as England finished the day on 0/29.
Jimmy Anderson would be picked in any World XI right now. That's how good the swing come strike bowler has become this summer. To rub salt into the wounds he's actually great to watch... yes an England seamer is the best bowler to watch in this Series right now. Finished with 3/61 from 20 overs - getting Ricky Ponting, Brad Haddin & Ryan Harris.
Graeme Swann once again took a couple of wickets (2/52) and worried Australia enough on a Day 1 wicket to show he's got some class about him. Got Michael Hussey out with a peach and finished the job by dismissing Ben Hilfenhaus.
Australia had just two genuine winners on Day 1. Michael Hussey once again was the rock of the order with a fine 61 and Mitchell Johnson returned to the Test arena with an entertaining 62.
Losers - Ricky Ponting, Phil Hughes, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin.
Ricky Ponting failed once again but hey he wasn't alone! Ponting did hit three 4s but he was gone for 12 within just 10 deliveries! He was joined in the underachiever club by Shane Watson 13 from 40 balls, Phil Hughes 2 from 6 and Michael Clarke 4 from 10. But Ponting's failure was the one Australia could not afford... and fail he did. Yes to a super catch but it's hard to get out when you hit it along the ground.
Brad Haddin makes this list for the nature of his dismissal. He had found a capable ally in Mitchell Johnson for a 52 run partnership then he wafts at a wide one and gets caught in the slips. Haddin has runs this series but has not shown the same dedication to the cause as he did in the 1st Innings in Brisbane and it's hurting Australia badly given the top order's implosion.
WHO WON THE DAY'S PLAY?
Day One - England
That makes it EIGHT straight Days of English dominance in this Series. They won the toss, bowled and were batting with an hour left in the day's play. Australia's 268 is at least 60-70 runs below a par score and Australia failed to take a wicket in a session that is usually tailor made for fast bowlers in Test cricket.
Advantage well and truly again with ENGLAND.
||| Come back tomorrow night for a recap of Day 2 or follow us on Twitter.

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MATCH SCORES

3rd TEST PREVIEW
December 16 Update: Gotta love the Australian Selectors... go to all the trouble of creating a Beer Poster and they don't play him.

Here was wdnicolson.blogspot.com's 3rd Ashes Test Preview: 
So where to now for Australia?

The pub apparently.
Australia have reacted (yes they no longer plan as a selection committee - they react, so is it any wonder Ricky Ponting is skipper?) to their humiliating 2nd Test loss to England by an Innings & 71 runs by making at least four if not five changes to the team from Adelaide.

Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty and Marcus North were all axed from the squad, while Simon Katich is out for the rest of the summer (at least) with a torn Achilles.

In to the squad come Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson, Steven Smith, Phil Hughes and likely debutante Michael Beer.

Yes that's five players coming in and all are expected to play at the WACA. As a result Peter Siddle looks like being dropped just two Test Innings after his Gabba Hat-Trick and 6/56... but don't kid yourself he's bowled no better than anyone else since that innings and is wicketless in England's current 6 for 1137 run since their first dig in Brisbane. And more concerning is the fact that as a bowler he has failed to build off a career day... so you have to ask the question was it a career fluke?

England aren't devoid of selection issues with Stuart Broad pulling out of the rest of the tour with a side strain and his loss is not easily filled. England can go with a steady bowler who can bat a bit in Tim Bresnan or play a tall bowler who can't bat in Chris Tremlett to try and take advantage of any bounce in the WACA deck.

Who England pick will give an insight into how hard they are going at a win to finish this series off in Perth. 

Australia will enter the test without their most consistent batsman without Katich and his replacement Phil Hughes has been anything but consistent at first class level for NSW. Replacing Marcus 'more miss than hit' North with a batting all-rounder in Steven Smith (who has actually been taking wickets with his leggies of late - yes I'm as shocked as you) and will be tempted to push wicketkeeper Brad Haddin up to #6 as a result.

With Siddle likely to carry the drinks, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ryan Harris will open the bowling and are probably the two best swing bowlers in Australia so it makes sense to give them the new ball. Mitchell Johnson is at a cross roads in his career - he must rediscover his pace in Perth or risk being omitted twice in the one series if he fails to look dangerous or effective.

That leaves us with Beer.

Michael 'He of only five first class games before being picked'' Beer is a left arm orthodox spinner who has taken a number of wickets this summer for WA... or rather has bought a number of wickets (16 @ 40 runs per wicket) but hey at least he's got wickets right?

I''m so sorry to bring that up Jason Krejza.

How will Beer cope with the heat of the Test arena? Will he fall flat or will he show that he's got a good head on his shoulders?

Well hardly anyone in Australia knows because they've barely seen a highlight of him bowling, so your guess is as good as the Australian Selectors apparently. The upside is no matter how good or bad he goes with his first bowl of the match - the headline needs to be something along the lines of:

"Who ordered the Beer?"

3rd Test Prediction: 
Australia have my slight favouritism because the attack finally looks better than downright average and facing England without Stuart Broad is preferable to facing England with Stuart Broard. If Australia can actually bat well and the top order makes some runs as a result - England might be under pressure for the first time since Day 3 of the 1st Test. That being said - England will be batting at some stage and they've made that look easy ever since then!