Bite-sized Ashes: James Pattinson makes impression as luck deserts Aussies in biggest time of need
Review blues, cement bails, drought breakers and a much-maligned Englishman showing up his critics, it’s been quite a day of Ashes action at Edgbaston. Catch up on all big incidents here.
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England have hit back after two days of this Ashes series, with a Rory Burns century cancelling out that of Steve Smith’s the day before to leave the Edgbaston Test hanging in the balance.
Burns’ knock wouldn’t be described as pretty by anyone… but it was dogged and determined and, along with a fine 57 from skipper Joe Root, has put England on top – as he reached 125 at stumps, with England 4-267 and just 17 runs in arrears.
Australia’s exciting pace attack missed the mark, with James Pattinson (2-54) the most impressive while Nathan Lyon bowled without luck while going wicketless.
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PATTINSON BREAKS 1257 DAY DROUGHT
Things started brightly enough for Australia, with James Pattinson working over Jason Roy to take his first wicket since 2016 – a wait of 1257 days.
His last Test victim was New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling in a seven-wicket victory.
But we suspect he enjoyed it just a little more watching Steve Smith take a fine low catch after Pattinson’s outswinger caught the edge of Roy’s bat.
He didn’t have to wait anywhere near as long before claiming Test victim number 72 – trapping Jos Buttler in front later in the day to finish with a two-wicket return.
LYON AS UNLUCKY AS THEY COME
Nathan Lyon’s figures of 0-79 in no way reflect how well the off-spinner bowled.
He had Rory Burns out plumb lbw for 21 but was cruelly denied by umpire Joel Wilson. Hawkeye flashed up three reds, with Lyon’s ball crashing into leg stump.
But the Australians had not bothered to review, and Lyon finished the day wicketless.
ROOT SAVED BY CEMENT BAILS
Hang on. What? How did that happen?
James Pattinson and the Australians were left stunned when the big Victorian hit the top of Joe Root’s off stump with a 140km thunderbolt – which was unable to remove the bails.
The bail shifted in the groove and even jumped a touch, but fell back in place and the England captain was given a life on nine.
“He’s hit it reasonably hard. It’s incredible that the bail has not come out of its groove,” says Michael Atherton.
UMPIRING WOES RETURN
Aleem Dar and Joel Wilson had a shocking time of it on day one of the Ashes, and unfortunately things scarcely got better on Friday.
Australia will feel aggrieved about the no-call on Burns’ early lbw shout – while Joe Root was twice incorrectly given out, before successfully having the decisions overturned.
Though on both occasions – firstly a caught behind which hit the stumps, rather than the bat, and later a faint inside edge – were tough decisions and not in the same ballpark as their day one howlers.
JIMMY JIMMY JIMMY ANDERSON UPDATE
Perhaps the best news of the day for England fans was that Jimmy Anderson remained hopeful of being able to take further part in this Test.
The veteran quick had scans on his troublesome calf, but completed a gentle fitness test before play on Friday and is prepared to push himself for the cause.
A fit Jimmy Anderson is a difference maker for England, so he is definitely one to watch over the weekend.
BURNS SHOWS UP HIS CRITICS
It was ugly but damn effective. And Rory Burns put egg on the faces of his many critics with a breakthrough Test century which was a picture of toughness and grit.
“How any selector can pick Rory Burns as an international,” former Australian captain Ian Chappell was just one of the vocal critics of Burns’ inclusion.
“I reckon all the fast bowlers in Australia, overnight they would’ve gone banging on Tim Paine’s door, saying, ‘I want the first over, not the second over.’”
It’s fair to say Burns had the last laugh.
HOLLIES STAND IN FINE FORM
On a warm day in Birmingham, the punters in the infamous Hollies stand were in fine form – and by midafternoon were also in full voice.
They serenaded a man, dressed as the Queen and holding a replica of the World Cup, with a rendition of the national anthem – with tweaked lyrics of “God Save YOUR Queen” directed at the Australian fans.
They also cheered gleefully at every delivery after Australia burned a review chasing a Burns lbw – mockingly appealing at every leave, defensive shot and regulation piece of fielding.
And given day three is the designated ‘dress-up day’ and regarded as the wildest of the Test, Australia will likely want to get off the field as quick – as much to restrict England’s runflow as to limit the opportunities for the raucous fans to get stuck in.
TWEETS OF THE FUTURE
The internet has had a field day with Jofra Archer’s Nostradamus-type tweets, with the current England quick’s serious backlog of comments seemingly able to predict the future.
But he’s not the only person to have sent a future-telling tweet… with user Declan Byrne dropping this gem last year.
I've saved everyone the time and created the front page of every paper in 15 months. pic.twitter.com/D2kqTnfUWV
— Declan Byrne (@dec_byrne) March 29, 2018
SIDDLE’S SENSATIONAL CAUGHT AND BOWLED
The cricket had started to swing firmly in England’s favour following their hefty second-wicket stand, and Australia were running out of answers as to how to break the partnership.
In the end, it took a moment of magic from Peter Siddle who pulled off an incredible reflex caught-and-bowled to remove Joe Root.
Root punched a drive back to the Australian who stuck his right hand out while midway through his follow-through and…. It stuck!
ENGLAND STUNG BY NEW BALL DRAMA
England fans were left fuming when Australia were granted a replacement ball midway through their first innings – with umpires accepting that the ball Australia had been using, without much success, had been belted out of shape.
So out came the replacement balls, and Australia was given a pill that was hooping around corners from the very first ball.
Suddenly the afternoon session livened up, and James Pattinson had his second wicket – knocking over Joe Denley with a big inswinger.
Originally published as Bite-sized Ashes: James Pattinson makes impression as luck deserts Aussies in biggest time of need
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