by Arthur Crabtree » Wed May 28, 2014 8:53 pm
Ten great innings of the Flower era.
6. Alastair Cook, 235* at the 'Gabba v Australia, 2010.
Facing up to a monumental 221 run deficit, Cook batted for ten hours and twenty five minutes and faced 428 balls. No draw in Brisbane, no series win in Australia, with the Perth Test a home banker. And Cook showed the way to his team mates as he would later do in Ahmedabad. Australia let slip a game they thought they'd won. Cook's unbeaten innings here bled out into his 148 in Adelaide, and across the whole series. It was like he was wearing an invincibility cloak. Even if the umpire gave him out, he was reprieved on TV evidence. He posted his intentions here at the 'Gabba.
7. Kevin Pietersen, 202* at Lord's v India, 2011.
Those who seek to denigrate Pietersen, say he only plays one way. They take him at his word. If any innings laid bare that untruth it was this brilliant unbeaten double ton. On day one, as the ball swung around under low, fat clouds, he scored 22 runs off 72 balls, with two fours. When he walked off at 474-8 declared the following afternoon, he had added 180 more off a further 254 balls striking 19 fours and a six. Pietersen may not have been as consistent under Flower as before, but he played most of the great innings he will be remembered for.
Ten great bowling performances of the Flower era.
2. James Anderson, 4-51 at the Adelaide Oval v Australia, 2010.
It was a start to a Test of unbelievable, adrenaline releasing joy. As if still bursting with the relief of saving the game in Brisbane, Anderson, and the outstanding England fielders tore open the Australian top order to leave them 2-3 after 2.1 overs. Trott memorably ran out Katich, then Pietersen caught Watson driving to gully off Anderson, who induced Ponting to edge to Swann at slip. Anderson should have caught and bowled Hussey shortly after, but, no matter. Australia recovered a little to 245, but on a batting paradise, it wasn't nearly enough.
3. Chris Tremlett, 4-26 at the MCG v Australia, 2010.
1-0 up in the series, England unleashed the Terminator on the Australians. He took wickets in the Perth defeat. In Melbourne on Boxing Day, he shot the Aussies out for 98. Anderson and Bresnan were almost equally as excellent. But Tremlett was a bit more than just good. he was a bit frightening too. Not just his immense frame, but his downright silent menace. He looked like an English aristocrat turned into a justice seeking superhero, possibly by an unfortunate nuclear mishap. What a bowler he could have been, and on days like this, he was.
Last edited by
Arthur Crabtree on Wed May 28, 2014 8:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I always say that everybody's right.