Matt Prior
England is 3 wickets away from making history. They will win the ashes series fair and square convincingly and that too in Australia after 24 years.
Matt Prior joined Alastair Cook and Ian Bell as all three made centuries in the 2nd session, Australia couldn’t even attempt to spoil their party. The beauty of this match is that almost everyone on the England team contributed to the total of 644.Mat Prior made 118runs of 130 balls before he was dismissed by Ben Hilfenhaus, Tim Bresnan made 35runs of 103 balls and was dismissed by Mitchell Johnson, Graeme Swann remained unbeaten made 36runs of 26balls.
A large total like that was going to be difficult for any country to defend let alone Australia but it is safe to assume they tried as hard as they could. It would be impossible for even 1 player to make a century forget 3.
So the Australian 2nd innings began and James Anderson spun the ball well and bamboozled the Aussies yet again.
Opener Shane Watson was looking to do some damage but where a bowler couldn’t get his wicket he ended up getting run out by Prior and Pietersen, he had made 38runs of 40balls at that time.
Phillip Hughes made a meagre 13runs of 58balls and was dismissed by Tim Bresnan. Usman Khawaja Ricky Ponting’s substitute made 21runs of 73balls and ultimately couldn’t survive James Andersons attack.
Skipper Michael Clarke put in a valiant effort, he made 41runs of 73balls but again the Prior Anderson combo wouldn’t let him play any further. Michale Hussey, Australia’s wing man also look disheartened, he made only 12runs of 49balls. Brad Haddin also looked to fight but fell victim to a Chris Tremlett attack, he made 30runs of 41balls.
Mitchell Johnson who has been in his own personal hell has been doing everything he can to help but couldn’t in the 2nd innings and no one can blame him in the slightest even though he got out on a duck to Chris Tremlett.
Day 4 ended with Steven Smith not out on 24runs and Peter Siddle on 17. With only tail Enders left England will look to grab the trophy much before lunch.
Paul Collingwood decides to retire from test cricket by the end of this series. A memorable exit this will be for a cricketer who is both brilliant as an individual as well as a cricketer. England introduced cricket as the gentlemen’s game and Paul Collingwood is a perfect example of one. He will continue in the ODI and T20 formats but his test run is over now.
As he said in the press conference “The perfect moment for me to go”.
Tags: 5th Test, Ashes Series, Australia, Cricket, England, Matt Prior, Paul Collingwood, SCG, Sydney, Test Cricket, The Ashes
