[Cricket] World Test XI

[Gwylan]

Hobbs plays out a maiden from Warne. Miller sends a ball past Compton’s bat and then another past his nose. He gets into double figures with a clip to mid-wicket.
That’s classy play from Hobbs, he’s down the wicket to Warne – four through extra cover and then a single past slip. I think that was deliberate and not an edge.
And Hobbs reaches his 50 with a single from Miller. Compton scores just two more off the over.

124-2 (Hobbs 50 Compton 13) Overs 38

 

[Gwylan]

Is this the last over before lunch? Hobbs seems to think so, he’s playing very carefully but he’s dangerously using his pad to block. If he doesn’t pick Warne’s googly he’s in trouble.
And he doesn’t. There’s a massive appeal and umpire Bowden raises a crooked finger. That kept low and turned sharply and Hobbs was playing no shot. Compton shakes his head and Hobbs doesn’t review

LUNCH SCORE England 124-3 (Hobbs lbw b Warne 50 Compton 13 Overs 38.5

 

[Gwylan]

England are probably still favourites. There’s turn in the pitch but it’s not a raging Bunsen and England bat down to no 9. It’s certainly no stroll in the park for them.

Lunch scorecard
Cook c Miller b Lillee 26
Hobbs lbw b Warne 50
Gower b Warne 27
Compton not out 13
Extras 8 (8b)
Total 124-3

Bowling
Lillee 12 2 42 1
McGrath 15 3 41 0
Warne 7.5 1 21 2
Miller 4 0 12 0

 

[jakarta]

Gower eh? As predicted...

 

[Gwylan]

Hammond and Compton have been playing very carefully since lunch, although Hammond has unfurled a couple of his trademark cover drives - one against Warne and one against Miller. Compton is being uncharacteriscally quiet, although he successful swept Warne fine for four and nearly got bowled repeating the shot.

144-3 (Compton 20 Hammond 13) Overs 46

 

[jakarta]

Almost can't bear this, I know we have the batting but they have Warne...

 

[Gwylan]

Compton is getting frustrated by Warne. He comes down the wicket and can't get to the pitch, he steps back and is beaten by a big leggie. He collars the ball and it's stopped brilliantly by Waugh at mid-on. It's a maiden but you can see that Compton wants to get on with it.

Hammond has no such problem: He drives Miller through the covers off the front foot - and it repeats the shot off the back food. Out comes second slip to reinforce that area but Hammond then crashes Miller through mid-on. Hammond is in fine nick here

156-3 (Compton 20 Hammond 25) Overs 48

 

[Gwylan]

Warne contnues to frustrate Compton but he does get an edge past gully for a single. Hammond looks in bettet touch and lofts it over the bowler's head for another four.

Here's a change: Miller's off but it's not Lillee back on. Instead, it's Border - Compton looks delighted, a chance to break the shackles. He has a firm drive against Border's second ball and is caught at mid-off! That was the result of a few overs of pressure.

161-4 Compton c Bradman b Border 21 Hammond 30)

 

[Gwylan]

There are no fireworks from Stokes ... yet. As if often the case, he plays himself in slowly, event treating Border withe respect. Hammond has no such qualms. lofting Border in the deep for four, and playing a similar shot for two

175-4 (Hammond 41 Stokes 3) Overs 54

 

[jakarta]

Border, ****ing Border - what is going on?

 

[Gwylan]

Warne is firing on all cylanders and fizzes one past Stokes' bat. Stokes has had enough of this. steps down the track and smites Warne into the crowd behind the bowler for six. Warne grins and beats Stokes again but it's a long way from the bat.

Lillee has been brought back and immediately catches the edge of Hammond's bat - four through slips. Hammond hasn't coped with the change in pace and is trapped in front - that's plumb out. Botham is on a king-pair but negotiates the rest of the over

185-5 (Hammond lbw b Lillee 45, Stokes 9)

 

[jakarta]

So near and yet so far...

 

[Gwylan]

It's the Warne v Stokes battle again. Stokes sweeps and it's two to fine leg - he didn't quite catch that. He catches that though and it beats the despairing dive of Hayden on the boundary.

Botham gets right in line against Lillee and then gets off the pair down to long leg.

192-5 (Stokes 15 Botham 1) Overs 58

 

[Gwylan]

This could be fun, Botham against Warne but he plays the first few balls until he drives though the cover for four.
Stokes treats Lillee with some respect, flicks it away for a single. Botham has no such respect and pulls a short ball to mid-wicket.
That's 200 up

201-5 (Stokes 16 Botham 9) Overs 60

 

[jakarta]

Botham & Stokes, that would get you home against most attacks but it is Warne,,,

 

[Gwylan]

Stokes is down the wicket and it's six to cow corner. He tries again but he's not got that - it's skied in the air and Gilchrist runs up and takes the catch. Knott is in and edges the first ball for a single - that was nearly out too.

208-6 (Stokes c Gilchrist b Warne 22 Botham 9) Overs 61

 

[Gwylan]

This is very restrained by Botham, he's itching to get after the bowlers but he recognises that situation doesn't lend itself to heroics.
He and Knott see off the overs before tea with little in the way of scares.


213-6 (Botham 13 Knott 2) Overs 65

 

[Gwylan]

We're back: this is the endgame.

It's Lillee to Knott and he pushes for a single. That's short from Lillee and it's smashed into the crowd for six. A couple more of those and England are home. He tries again but he doesn't quite catch it - but he does get two.

222-6 (Botham 21 Knott 3) Overs 66

 

[Gwylan]

Warne to Knott. That's a beaut! He turns sharply and catches the edge of the bat. Gilchrist snaffles it
It's squeaky bum time

222-7 Knott c Gilchrist b Warne 3

Tate's not hanging around though and drives Warne over his head for four

226-7 Botham 21 Tate 4) Overs 67

 

[Gwylan]

That's a Michelle for Warne - he really is key now.

Botham takes on Lillee again - and that's another four - over gully now.

He tries to get a single off the last ball though and that's great fielding by Hayden, Botham can't get away

230-7 Botham 25 Tate 4 Overs 68