The middle of the line

Not sure what to make of the third test at Edgbaston. The rain seemed to catch the ground staff by surprise (because it’s never rained in Brum before…), but in the first day and a bit England made a good start. Australia had a good first session in the short amount of play on day one, but came out to face the destructive Onions in the first over of the second day. Anderson took a 5-for to restrict the Aussies to 263, and England got a chance with the bat.

The rain on Saturday washed out the whole day’s play, and so fast play would be needed to get a result. England obliged on Sunday with a fairly quick surge between the 200-mark and the end of the innings, to put on a lead of 113.

So, all England needed to do was to get Australia out for a couple of hundred and bat their way to a win. However, North and Clarke saved the match with solid batting, and the England bowling just could not get the wickets.

So, the series remains at 1-0 to England, with two Tests to go. Headingly starts this week, and I can imagine that quite a few players are going to need a rest this week. Flintoff did not have a great game as a bowler, although his 74 at the crease did help make the England innings what it was. It seems that the selectors are bringing new blood in, which does make sense. Of course, every ground has a different type or play, and the weather was a huge factor – a day and a half’s play was lost, and that could have left time for a full set of innings.