Key Events: Important Moments Only
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Additional Insights from Jimmy:
The batters should be commended for their incredible performance. It was truly amazing to witness. Given the conditions of the wicket yesterday, we could have played defensively and aimed for a score of 160, but we would have been dismissed. Instead, our counter-attack strategy was brilliant.
[Would you prefer more rest between innings?] We just have to accept it and move on. While we would love to have an entire day off to rest, we take good care of ourselves and are in a good enough position to bowl again after 50 overs of rest.
[Regarding Old Trafford] We have experienced many games where rain has saved us, so we can’t expect everything to go our way. It’s the nature of cricket. Sometimes luck favors us, sometimes it doesn’t. The pitch slowed down today, especially as the ball got softer, and it required more effort to generate pace. Hopefully, the pitch tomorrow will favor the batsmen. The absence of Mo is a big loss for us, as the dry pitch would have been beneficial for him in the fourth innings.
More from Jimmy Anderson:
Interestingly, I’ve felt really good when bowling throughout most of the series. However, as professional cricketers, we all go through periods where we don’t perform to our expectations, whether as batters or bowlers. It’s unfortunate that it’s happening during such a high-profile series. I try to approach it objectively. Yes, I haven’t taken the wickets I wanted, but I’m still doing my best for the team, creating pressure, and supporting my bowling partner. I try not to pay attention to retirement discussions because it has been a constant question over the past six years or even longer. In the last 3 to 4 years, I feel like I’ve been bowling as well as ever. I’m in control, physically fit, and my skills haven’t declined. I don’t feel like I’m bowling poorly, losing pace, or nearing the end of my career. I still believe I have a lot to offer to this team. However, selecting the team is a separate matter. If Baz and Stokesy say, “You haven’t taken the wickets we expected,” I’ll accept that. But I have no intention of retiring anytime soon. I feel like I can contribute a lot more.
Jimmy Anderson speaks with Sky Sports:
When considering the overall day, we made a good effort, but given the position we were in, we’re disappointed that Australia managed to take the lead. Credit must be given to Pat and Murphy; they batted exceptionally well. I do believe we bowled well before lunch, although I was surprised that Australia didn’t change their tactics to disrupt our line and length. Personally, I’m satisfied with my bowling throughout the day. I felt in a good rhythm and managed to generate good bounce, which is unusual. Yesterday, I relied on wobble seam a lot, but today I focused on hitting the pitch hard with a straight seam. Perhaps I was trying too hard yesterday, which can happen in a short session when you’re desperate for wickets. Today, I wanted to settle in and focus on a specific area.
Updated at 18.50 BST:
Steve Smith on the Run Out Incident:
Regarding my actual dismissal, I initially thought it was a free hit due to England’s fielding adjustment. Unfortunately, the ball didn’t come off the bat as expected, and it went straight up in the air. Regarding the run-out, I thought I was out at first, but it turns out Jonny dislodged the bail. It was a close call, and I ended up being given not out. There wasn’t much else I could do in that situation. Resuming an innings in such circumstances is not difficult; you just have to refocus and get back into the game. Sometimes, it gives you more freedom to play your shots, knowing that you could have been dismissed earlier. But getting back into the zone is not a challenge.
More from Steve Smith:
I’ve been working on a few technical adjustments this week, and I felt like I got into better positions today. I tend to move too much across the crease at times. I enjoy batting at the Oval; it’s a beautiful venue, and it rewards shots. Unfortunately, I couldn’t capitalize on it today, although I scored the second-highest total in the match.
Steve Smith speaks with Sky Sports:
There was some swing in the air due to the overhead conditions, but the wicket itself played quite well. Many of us got starts but couldn’t convert them into big scores. As for my dismissal, I felt it was time to go on the offensive. However, it didn’t work out as planned, and perhaps I made the move too early considering how Cummo was batting. Overall, we’re a bit disappointed not to have a bigger lead. We didn’t have a specific plan; Australia bowled very well this morning, not giving us any easy opportunities. We knew that if we could hold on, we would get chances to score towards the end of the day, which we did. Having more batsmen at the crease in the last hour or two would have made a significant difference. Australia’s bowlers are adept at swinging the ball and they managed to do so for most of the day. The new ball didn’t have as much effect. While you want to keep scoring, you also have to respect when the opposition bowls well. If we had more wickets in hand at the end of the day, we could have achieved more.
Robert Wilson writes, “YJB’s post-99 interview was a hilarious joy. Well done for recognizing it. The post-play rant can be incredibly amusing, though unintentionally, but it’s generally likable (apart from KP). I believe the best ones are influenced by the master, with Bairstow being a definite example.”
If Jose Mourinho wins another major trophy, there won’t be enough popcorn in the world.
Stumps: Australia leads by 12:
The change of innings marks the end of another fluctuating day of play. Australia had the upper hand at 91-1, then England took control at 182-7. However, Steve Smith’s resilient innings of 71, surviving a tight run-out referral, along with valuable contributions from Pat Cummins (36) and Todd Murphy (34), allowed Australia to gain a slender lead. England’s four seamers bowled impressively until fatigue set in after tea. Chris Woakes, with figures of 3 for 61, was arguably the standout performer. The England fans show their appreciation for the team’s efforts after a good day’s work.
Updated at 18.51 BST:
Cummins is dismissed. It might not be Ben Stokes’ best catch at the venue (remember 2019), but it demonstrates pure brilliance. Cummins smashes Root’s shot flat and hard to long-on, where Stokes, backpedaling, takes a catch above his head just inches inside the boundary. He throws the ball up in the air before tumbling over the rope, then quickly jumps back in to complete the dismissal as the ball descends. No celebration, just another extraordinary display of skill.
WICKET! Australia 295 all out (Cummins c Stokes b Root 36):
Ben Stokes showcases the ease of catching the cricket ball. He grabs the ball right on the boundary… Stokes throws the ball back into the field as gravity carries him over the boundary… He then reclaims the ball to dismiss Pat Cummins.
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