Engand V Australia Ashes 2009 - 2nd Test - England Edge Closer To Historic Lords Win

England have moved within 5 wickets of a Lords win in the Ashes and breaking a 75 year record. Unfortunately the talking point will be about the controversial umpiring decisions of Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes and Michael Hussey. The talking point at the end of day four and the test will be more about Rudi Koertzen standing in his 100th test then England winning the test or Australia batting hard for the draw.

With rain just before the start of the play it seemed it had forced Andrew Strauss to declare as he could not afford any chances with the weather. For Australia to continue there dominance over England at Lords they would be required to bat out two days and if they did successfully chase down 521. England required 10 wickets which they have not been able to do over the last few years against India, Sri Lanka and South Africa.

England opened the bowling again with Anderson and Flintoff who bowled an excellent line and length and not allowing the Australian batsmen any easy runs. They got an early breakthrough with the wicket of Simon Katich who was unfortunate given out as Flintoff bowled a no ball which was missed by the umpire. Six overs later again Flintoff got the wicket of Hughes who edged to Strauss but no one was sure it had carried which prompted Ponting to tell Hughes to stand his ground but once again the decision went England’s way. Ponting and Hussey were at the crease the most experience of pairs that could be batting to take Australia out of trouble and they looked in good form playing some exceptional shots. After lunch Broad was bowling one his best spells of the Ashes and got Ponting to cut one on to the stumps and there was no debate about this wicket and Australia were struggling 78/3 and saving the test was looking even impossible.

The 33rd over of Australia’s 2nd innings there was another controversial decision it seemed Hussey had nicked Swann to Collingwood at first slip who took a very good catch but replays showed he missed the ball but once again the umpires went again the Australians. Swann was in a good spell and he got Marcus North to cut the ball on to the wicket and with 5 wickets down there no way for Australia to hide apart from the obvious a first Ashes defeat at Lords in 75 years.

But Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin had other ideas in a partnership of 185 that had thrilled and entertained the Lords crowd with an excellent batting performance. Michael Clarke who is not out on 125 played an innings that will be remembered by many who watched it and he was duly assisted by Brad Haddin who continued his good form with bat from his century in the first test and he ensured his bad test behind the stumps did not affect him.

The last session belonged to Australia and particular Clarke and Haddin who have got Australia back into the test but first two sessions of day four did belong to England’s bowlers. Flintoff who was playing his last test at Lords who was in excellent form bowling from the Pavilion End had figures of 2 for 9 before lunch. It was an excellent spell by the big all rounder who will be looking to take England to victory over Australia his last ever time playing at Lords.

With Australia requiring another 209 runs to win a historic chase at the home of cricket Clarke and Haddin will be confident that it is possible and England will be nervous. With only 5 wickets required by England they are still favorites to win the test but as we have seen this year with huge run chases it is not beyond Australia to score the 521 runs to win.