It’s the hope that kills you.
Well, I didn’t have much hope, but as I settled in late last night desperately hoping for another Stokes masterclass in salvation, he showed signs of doing just that.
As he made his way past 50, and Jofra looked relatively settled at the other end, the innings had all the hallmarks of a classic Stokesy escape act, but it wasn’t to be. He made his way to 80, mixing his dogged defence with seemingly random moments of attacking flare, switch sweeping Lyon to the fence and blasting a few down the ground, before falling to a snorter from Mitch Starc with the new ball,
His reaction to the wicket was admittedly funny, hopping about like a child who’s just been told he can’t have chocolate for breakfast, or Ian Botham when he’s told he can’t have a beer for breakfast…you get the point.
As funny as it was, my heart sank for him. He had fully applied himself and played with great heart and passion, as he always does, and was being supported well by Archer who was doing exactly the same at the other end. Oh well, the lead had been trimmed into the 80’s and to be honest that was probably on the better end of what we could expect.
Then came the Aussies.
The idea of a low total on this pitch was wishful thinking, especially given how the Aussies had thrown away wickets on day 1 and still pulled together a big total. Today, there was less of that, and they look poised to post an impossible total for England to chase….they probably have already.
We looked ok with the ball at times, getting rid of Weatherald (dust) and Labushdbhsvfbfuief (annoying) in quick succession. Uncle Uzzie put together a decent partnership with Head to settle the innings but when he went, Green followed shortly after.
A small opening again then, but with Carey coming to the crease and Head already motoring along, breaking this partnership quickly would be vital if were to be even close to a gettable target.
That breakthrough did not come.
Yep, Travis Head showed once again why he is annoyingly good at this sport, and did it in his own frustratingly simple fashion. He threw his hands, ran down the track, cut and sliced his way to 142*.
Carey subtly moved himself along to 52* at the other end and they end the day 356 runs ahead with 6, yes 6, wickets in hand. I wouldn’t put money on England being able to chase 356 the way they have equipped themselves with the bat, and I fear they are going to be chasing an awful lot more than that….
Any way back in this test match? Nope.
I’d predict Ollie Pope will make 80 odd, to salvage his number three spot for another test, but we will fall short by a margin of no less than 200 runs, possibly more.
Dark days, silly season has gone up in smoke.
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