The Summer of the Baggy Green

This article was also published on upstart, you can find that version here.

With Australia’s miraculous and unnerving victory over South Africa in Cape Town the summer tests concluded, albeit in March. The greatest single summer of cricket in living memory for Australia, one that four months ago was seemingly impossible. One directed by Michael Clarke and a team of misfits who have played right on the edge between joyful celebration and egotistical rage. Even on that last evening, with the time working against his team Clarke launched one more verbal assault on the opposition. Aside from the seventh test in Port Elizabeth, there has been an undecipherable inevitability about Australia’s dominance. Wickets seemed certain to fall whenever Mitchell Johnson bowled, Dave Warner became more and more invincible. This summer was something else.

Impossible to think, but when the squad for the first Ashes test was announced, Twitter sighed with anguish at the inclusion of Johnson. Another go for a wasted talent. Warner was still there, and despite promising performances, the public still saw him as having a bigger mouth and ability to open against the red ball. Brad Haddin was old, despite a good tour of England, Steve Smith was wild and unreliable, Chris Rogers was a fill in, Ryan Harris was a delivery away from retirement (and still is) and Nathan Lyon was the best of a poor bunch. When Clarke was bounced out by Broad on the first day the Ashes felt further away than ever.

A win in Brisbane, on the back of a home ground fortress and reliance on Haddin felt big, but not that big. But when Johnson went through England at the Adelaide Oval the series was suddenly over. The sheer desperation, intimidation and ridiculous skill of Australia had ripped England apart. Just as Shane Warne laughingly ripped England’s hearts out at the same venue in 2006, Johnson had finished off the enemy mentally and physically. Every player had a moment (even George Bailey) and Australia looked untouchable. Their side wasn’t complete but it was enough. A thumping against England was treated with trepidation when looking forward to touring South Africa. England had folded, their team in disarray and players dropping like flies. The world’s best team wouldn’t be like this, surely.

It was like that, at least for two thirds of the series. Australia waltzed into South Africa and defeated the best team in the world, dominating them twice out of three. More victims were won, Jacques Kallis got out of the oncoming train before it got to the station, Graeme Smith got off when it did. Aside from the indomitable AB de Villiers, Australia was on top of the whole team. Warner ensured the best bowlers on the planet looked worthless and Johnson kept bowling fast and straight. Two of the most divisive figures in the side are now national heroes, Johnson has gone from wasted talent to the “once in a generatino bowler” Dennis Lillee famously talked about. Warner has gone from a big mouth with no control, to a big mouth who makes runs. His sledging suddenly unnerves the opposition and he is backing it up.

Throughout the summer of domination the test side has played on the edge, the skipper more than any. Clarke’s attacks on James Anderson and Dale Steyn will be seen as bullying bowlers by doubters and typical Australian domination by others. These Australians have lived alongside their nation, never accepting authority and always looking to dominate. While Clarke has admitted to overstepping the line, he has kept a strong tradition of keeping the foot on the throat.

Perhaps nobody has typified this summer of the baggy green like Harris. Like his team, Harris wasn’t expected to string together multiple games of quality. Like his team, Harris strung together two series of absolute quality. Instead of being one delivery away from injury, Harris became one delivery away from glory. He picked the right time to rise again, possibly for the final time. Harris’ unbelievable final over against South Africa has already become the stuff of legend. Bowling through pain and towards victory, Harris will go down as one of the greats in a short and always-ending career. There may never be a summer as complete and as riveting as this one, where domination has become expected and the team has delivered almost out of nowhere. Long may the summer of the baggy green live on.

Overrated underachiever or England’s best bowler?

With James Anderson struggling to make an impact in the 2013-14 Ashes series, many opinions have been aired about where he sits amongst the best bowlers in the world. After his outstanding performance in the first Ashes test in his home series, where he took 10-158 and won the match for his country, Anderson has struggled against Australia. In the seven tests since (including the Perth test match) Anderson has taken 19-902 at an average of 47.47. Camps seem to be divided on Anderson right now – he is either an overrated underachiever or possibly the best bowler England has produced. The only party that doesn’t have an opinion is the statistics.

The standout factor in Anderson’s stats is the difference between performance at home and abroad. At home Anderson has a very good average of 27.34 and of his 336 wickets, 213 of them have been taken at home. His 123 wickets at 36.52 in away/neutral tests is a lot more modest and honestly, rubbish. The fact that he has bowled about 500 more overs at home has helped contribute to his wicket tally. Comparatively, the two English fast bowlers that sit either side of him in the top wicket takers, Ian Botham and Bob Willis have far better records off English soil. Both bowlers averaged under 30 with the ball on foreign soil, showing a greater consistency. As with many bowlers, Anderson’s struggles begin in Australia.

While he hasn’t played many matches there, Anderson has struggled to make an impact in either South Africa or the West Indies, but he has a solid record in India. Generally a graveyard for fast bowlers, Anderson has found a way to succeed in India with an impressive average of 29.81, almost a whole run below his overall average. This may be due to his good record against Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag, who he has dismissed five times at a stunning average of 3.40. It is in Australia however that Anderson has let himself down. Through 11 test matches (the most he has played anywhere but England) Anderson has 36 wickets at an average of 40.19. Considering he bowled extremely well in the 2010-11 series, where he took 24 wickets at 26.04, the six matches he has played here outside that series have been a disaster. Combining those six matches, Anderson has taken 12 wickets at an average of 68.50. As good as he is on home soil, Anderson will be judged on his Ashes performances overseas. Overall Anderson has an Ashes bowling average of 37.71.

Again, to understand where he sits amongst English bowlers, Anderson must be compared to the greats, and it is not pretty. In the Ashes, both Willis and Botham have better bowling averages than their career mark. Botham had a bowling average of 28.44 in Australia, compared to a career average of 28.40. Willis averaged 29.80 in Australia, a ways from his career average of 25.20, but still a good effort.

Another factor that stands out in Anderson’s stats the gulf in performance between losses and victories. While it is obvious that most players would fare better when they win matches, Anderson has a gaping difference in his performances. In victory Anderson has taken 195 of his wickets at the average of 23.30, in defeat he has taken 55 at 50.23.  The difference between averages of 27 runs per wicket is remarkable. In perspective, both Botham and Willis performed worse in losses, but Botham had an average differential of 12 and Willis of 7 runs respectively. Whether England plays better when Anderson does or vice versa, it is clear that Anderson doesn’t quite stand tall in defeat.

It is hard to say whether Anderson is an underachiever or not, but it is clear he is a very good bowler in his own conditions. While his home average doesn’t indicate he is impossible to face, he certainly is a more dangerous and deadly bowler. When on the end of a plane trip, Anderson loses his edge. Perhaps it is the lack of swing from the Kookaburra ball, lack of green pitches or maybe it is the heat, but it is impossible to praise Anderson for his overseas performances.

Perhaps Anderson’s greatest triumph is his record over Michael Clarke. While he has dismissed Peter Siddle more than any other batsman (11), he has taken Clarke’s wicket nine times at an outstanding average of 19.50. His career record suggests that by no means is Anderson a bad bowler, and nobody can dispute his 336 wickets, but those in the overrated camp will find validation in his foreign performances. Anderson is clearly a step below the best bowlers England has produced yet if he plays for another calender year, Anderson will be right next to Botham for the most wickets by any Englishman. When considering that, there is no way Anderson is an underachiever, but maybe he should consider becoming a home ground specialist.

Also, he will want to avoid being a part of these kinds of world records:

The Sight of Summer

Halfway through the first month, it is already the defining image of this summer. Mitchell Johnson haring down the side of the pitch, both arms extended out wide. His jet black hair flows behind him, his mouth, surrounded by mustache, is half caught in a grin and the gaping sight of a scream. Johnson often spins around to look at the umpires, a lasting reflex of his past failures. He leaps into a theatrical celebration, whether it is the menacing glance Jimmy Anderson received, or a typical mid air fist pump. He is embraced by his teammates as another English batsman trudges off conquered. Johnson grins amongst the high fives, while an Australian yells towards the defeated batsman. The crowd roars again in anticipation of another bouncer, supporting the man that was furiously despised just four weeks previously.

Where in Australia’s dominance, such unnecessary, cocky celebrations would have lead to murmurs of poor sportsmanship, Johnson with arms extended fills spectators with pride. When Brett Lee started up the chainsaw after dismissing another hapless New Zealand tailender, we sighed and rolled our eyes. When Steve Waugh’s dominant team sledged a sunburnt and broken member of a failing English touring party we almost felt sorry for them for coming up against such aggressive and thoughtless opponents. Now when Johnson hits Anderson in the ribs again and our captain swears at him we cheer and laugh at how the Poms have been reduced to rubble.

The redemption of this team, and Johnson, unexpectedly, almost impossibly, has lead to a new feeling about our team. The Australian cricket team is ours again. Four weeks ago, Johnson was a symbol of our failure to remain at the top. Always promising a return to glory, often doing more harm than good. Four weeks ago, if David Warner tried to hit one over the fence and blew it we cursed our luck and cursed at the television. Now we shrug our shoulders, that is just Davey trying to dominate. Four weeks ago if Michael Clarke verbally attacked an English fast bowler it would have been foolish, now it is mentally disintegrating the opposition.

While this summer, even these three tests, may have been an exception rather than a rule for this era of Australian cricket, it will never go away. We all know that Johnson is capable of coming to the MCG and missing the pitch completely, but it wouldn’t matter. Because that ever lasting image of Johnson running towards his teammates in jubilation has been burnt into our memory. All of us remember Waugh’s last ball century, we don’t need to remember that he didn’t score another run before being dismissed. We will forever have the feeling of pride and redemption that Johnson and this team have given us in three weeks.

Photo via smh.com.au, AP – link.

#Ashtag Agärbomb

Day two at Trent Bridge will forever belong to Ashton Agar.
The 19 year old announced himself with a spectacular 98 to rescue the Australians. #Ashtag transformed the game, taking Australia from a big deficit to an important lead, with help from Phil Hughes.

The day started with Steve Smith looking very set and surprisingly composed as he brought up the first half century of the series.
Australia had a chance to grind England out of the match. The Poms were down a bowler and the sun was out.
But much like the last five or so years, the Aussies decided that grinding is too boring.
Smith was beaten by James Anderson playing an expansive drive, and the next ball thought he was more likely to hit the expansive drive.
He did hit it, straight in to the gloves of Matt Prior.
The middle-lower order collapsed to Anderson and Graeme Swann, leaving Hughes, of all people, the only man standing.

In came the Agärmeister.

#Ashtag was wearing a helmet that looked way too big, continuing a theme after his baggy green was too big on day one.
Apparently the Agärbomb had something behind the line when he was on six and Prior thought he was stumped.
He looked pretty stumped, but the 3rd umpire decided he wasn’t.

After that decision the match changed.

Bradgar found his gear and started sending the bowlers to all parts.
He hit Swann for six, and suddenly the 100 run deficit Australia faced was heading towards the 50s.
The crowd was suddenly all Australian, letting the English know when a boundary was scored with a traditional song.
Agargeddon was setting in on England and suddenly he was past a half century, and so was Hughes.
Mark Taylor put it well when he said that ‘Hughes put his ego away’. No other batsman in the match had batted for time, not Hughes was taking responsibility.
Australia hit the front and AshTON mania was setting in on the nation.
Michael Holding talked about recipes involving pigs tails.
They set the world record for the largest 10th wicket partnership.He set the record for the highest score by a number 11.

On 98 Stuart Broad bowled Ash-tonishing a short ball way down leg that screamed ‘AshTON’, he missed it.
A crowd shot revealed #Ashtag’s father not in his seat.
Two balls later he hit a short one.
He hit it well.
He hit it to Swann.
Agarnisingly short of a maiden century, caught on the boundary.

Inexplicably Australia led by 65 and took first innings points.
Hughes was left on 81*, and should have been proud of playing a very mature innings.
Anderson finished with five wickets, but his powerful onslaught early was almost forgotten after Agargeddon.
He bowled with fire and pace, and of course, frightening swing.
Swann looked dangerous already.

Mitch Starc had the new ball in the shadows of the tea break, and the Australians were looking for a breakthrough.
He bowled an average ball down leg side, and Joe Root swished at it.
The Aussies went up and so did the umpire, despite there being no real reason to according to the replays.
The next ball Jonathan Trott was whacked in front of middle stump, and given not out.
Replays showed he didn’t hit the ball, despite many theories from English commentators that he possibly could have.
Starc got the decision his way from the 3rd umpire and turned to scream in Trott’s ear.
Starc came back from tea on a hat-trick, but didn’t get it.
Test cricket finally started following tea, after five sessions of wild cricket.
Alistair Cook and Kevin Pieterson settled in and decided to be patient with the bat.
The Australian quicks opted for a conservative line outside the off stump and decided to be patient with the ball.
The Australian fans sang their national anthem.
Both teams eyed each other off and weren’t prepared to make a mistake.
The Agärmeister didn’t look very dangerous but things seemed to happen when he bowled.
The crowd made a reasonable attempt at a beer snake, but there was nothing exciting happening.

Man of the Day: #Ashtag Agärbomb. Whether or not he takes any wickets in this match of his career, Ashton Agar will forever have this day and his innings. The highest ever score by an number 11, Agar rescued Australia from the depths and brought them back in to the match.

Who is in front? Having their opponents effectively 2 for 15, Australia hold a slim lead over the English. Once again the morning will be important. If Pieterson and Cook can stay together for a long time tomorrow Australia could be facing a long chase over days 4 and 5. Early wickets and England could be looking for a lower order hero.

Welcome to Trent Bridge

Welcome to my Ashes blog. Where I will give a semi-serious update on play each day that I can. It can’t all be as serious as the problems we still have with the swinging ball, it will get pretty serious when the Aussies fall apart just like we threatened to do in the last session on day one.

Speaking of day one, let’s get on to it. Ashton Agar was the surprise of the day when his name was called to receive the baggy green. If you didn’t know who Agar was, you can join everybody else.
Brought along for experience the 19 year old stepped in to bowl on day one of the Ashes. He looked a little raw and if you compare his first ball in test cricket, a wide full toss that got hit for four, to Nathan Lyon’s first, it doesn’t look good.
Agar didn’t have much to do in a day dominated by the quicks, but his time will come in this match if the sun ever comes out.

England won the toss and batted on a flat pitch with a few clouds in the sky. James Pattinson and Mitch Starc got the game underway and nothing much happened for a while, except Joe Root looking a little scared that David Warner would invade the pitch.
A light meter was spotted after the sixth over.
Pattinson only just ignored what could be a possible cold sore long enough to dismiss Alistair Cook to a waft.

It set the tone.

Peter Siddle came on a bowled terribly.
Agar bowled to Root at one stage and it looked like an under 16s representative match.
Siddle switched ends and bowled Root with a yorker that just left him a little in the air, and Siddle let England know he has got new teeth since his last visit.
Kevin Pieterson entered the field sporting a mature Touch of Grey look, and fell to an away swinger from Siddle, along with Jonathan Trott who chopped one on.
Colonel Sanders was spotted in the crowd.
Ian Bell was met with another swinging ball and edged it off Siddle, while Matt Prior did his best Brad-Haddin-in-crisis impersonation and played a wild shot to lose his wicket. Siddle had his second consecutive five wicket haul on Ashes opening day and Australia were well on top.
After tea Stuart Broad was hit on the shoulder and didn’t bowl or field later on, as the tail folded to Pattinson and Starc without much effort.

England all out for 215.
In what is becoming a tradition the Aussie bowlers, they happily walked off knowing they did their job, but wary the batsmen wouldn’t do theirs.

The batting started imperiously with Shane Watson planting his front foot and putting Steven Finn to the fence three times.
Bizarrely Chris Rogers came out to bat wearing zinc under his eyes and not sporting glasses, after ten minutes ago fielding without zinc and sporting glasses.
Watson thought he should assert his dominance so he did it once more and knicked Finn to third slip.
Broad hadn’t left the dressing rooms to bowl as England already were getting a specialist fielder on the ground instead of the 12th man.
Ed Cowan walked out as a back up opener, looking ready to leave anything that wasn’t short or in front of him. He got a wide ball that screamed leave, and tried to drive it.

Cowan hit first three balls at Trent Bridge this summer to the cover fence. His dismissal a case of memory overpowering reason? #cricket

— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) July 10, 2013

Cowan was gone to second slip and once more Michael Clarke walked out with his team needing a serious innings.
Finn was on a hat-trick, and after watching the previous two batsmen play booming drives and edge behind, Clarke played a booming drive and somehow missed the ball.
James Anderson met Clarke with what is already the ball of the series and took out the off stump, rocking Australia’s dressing room.Thankfully Darren Lehmann had his feet up on the rails in the dressing room and chewed gum comfortably.
Chris Rogers and Steve Smith worked hard and at least looked like they could bat before Rogers was hit on the pad and the umpire decided it wasn’t too leg side.
It was very leg side.
Smith hit Greame Swann for six, nobody was sure why.
Smith was positive all innings and Phil Hughes stuck around until stumps.

Australia will be preying for some sunshine tomorrow so the ball can calm down. With Stuart Broad in serious doubt for the rest of the test the longer Smith and Hughes can bat the easier things will be. England doesn’t have an all-rounder and will have to turn to Root and Trott for part timers.

Man of the Day – There was doubt about Peter Siddle’s spot in the side going in to day one. He quietened down all the talk and took five wickets in a typically full on spell. He will bowl better for less results in this series, but Siddle dismantled England’s top order and set the test up for Australia.

Who is in front? England. An hour before stumps and Australia was well in front.
15 minutes before stumps and England was well in front.At stumps England are in front, but not by much. A bowler down and below par on a flat pitch the Poms bowled well but need to keep their foot on the throat. Hughes and Smith are not going to strike fear in to England, but if they can work with Haddin and a strong tail to gain a 100 run lead the Aussies will be happy.