Third ASHES Test (Edgbaston)

The weather prevented this Edgbaston test match from becoming a thriller so here is a brief summary of the match:

FIRST INNINGS
Australia 263-10
Watson 62
Anderson 5-80 and Onions 4-58

A promising start was ruined by some classical swing-bowling early on Day Two by the mentioned bowlers and any momentum obtained by Watson's knock was gone. James Anderson's delivery to bowl Manou was particularly good

SECOND INNINGS
England 376-10
Flintoff 74 and Strauss 69
Hilfenhaus 4-109

After reducing England to just 168-5 Flintoff lifted the score to a point where England couldn't lose the match - hitting his 20th six at this ground in the process. The best innings was really Strauss though who seems in form equal to Michael Clarke and their batting could be a deciding factor in the remaining tests

THIRD INNINGS
Australia 375-5
Clarke 103 and North 96
Broad 2-38

After dismissing Ponting with a brilliant off-spinner, Swann proved unable to run through the Australians on Day Five and Clarke and North cashed in while saving the match.


While the result suggests a boring game there are a few points to take out of this test that may influence the crucial game at Headingly on Friday:

• The choice to drop Hughes for Watson as a balancing move to aid the bowling attack did not work. Although Watson got runs (62 and 53) his bowling was pathetic and Hughes should feel aggrieved to have missed batting on a pitch with little threatening bounce
• Furthermore, the need for another bowler may not be required as Mitchell Johnson appears to be finding his feet (he should have got Bell 2 1/2 times!)
• England will be worrying about Flintoff who didn't take a wicket and only bowled 15 overs in the last innings. Strauss did reveal his bowling would have been wasted in the swing-friendly conditions, but if he is injured the attack loses its most aggressive weapon (although Harmison is waiting in the wings)
• Strauss and Clarke continue to carry the batting for their teams and their scores at Headingly and The Oval will be important

OVERALL I noticed that many of the Australians began to find form in this game (Hussey, Johnson etc) and if Flintoff is out the momentum could be shifting. Hopefully weather will hinder little of the remaining tests