Warm up the MBE machine
England did the unthinkable: they actually played some good cricket. The net result: They Beat Australia. And considering that really, that’s all this trophy is about, it’s a Big Thing. Most surprising, however, was that England actually played the type of cricket of which we knew they were always capable, but have totally failed to demonstrate throughout this Ashes tour. Australia did feel like they were gifting the win, but considering the point of Australian cricket is to beat the English, then it’s hard to conclude that they may have actually let England win. Besides, it’s much more satisfying to think that England actually handed Australia a defeat for a change.
In fact, Australia did have to play an extended game of fetch. Ed Joyce led from the front in treating the Australian bowling with the contempt that it deserves, as Glenn McGrath was below par and Shaun Tait had an uninspiring debut, Australia really looked to be missing Brett Lee. Dropped twice, Ed Joyce made his maiden ODI century, ably supported at varying times through the innings by Ian Bell (51), Loye (29), Strauss (26) and Dalrymple (30). Loye and Bell will both be unhappy that they made promising starts but failed to score heavily, but that Joyce capitalised on Australia’s mistakes is important. England totalled a respectable 292/7. Such a target was by no means beyond the reach of Australia who have consistently scored over 300, but with Ponting rested, things didn’t go their way. Matt Hayden made 50 and Symonds was going well until he ripped his bicep, an injury which has ruled him out of the rest of the series and makes him unlikely for the World Cup. Liam Plunkett had a dream game with the ball with 3/24 off 9.4 overs and was instrumental in dismissing Australia for 200, including Adam Gilchrist first ball.
Fortunately, though, the response to the victory has been necessarily muted. That is, no-one has yet announced the revolution of English cricket, which might ordinarily happen. England will know that the win was important, but that it is merely a drop in a bloody big ocean and they must aim to continue to improve their cricket if they’re to make a mark on the World Cup.
