I find it hard to believe that in a period of seventy two hours I have flown across Australia twice (there and back) and observed a scheduled five day cricket Test Match which only lasted two days.The shortest Ashes Test match since 1888!
I left home at 4:30 AM on Friday morning. Flew to Perth in time to book into my accommodation, meet up with my fellow “cricket tragic”, travel to the Perth Stadium and saw two almost complete Test innings over by the end of Day one.
The ball dominated the bat with Starc taking 7 wickets for 58 runs-England all out for 172. Australia replied with a very modest 132 with the innings completed early on Day two. England got to a lead of 90 odd by lunch, then collapsed for a total of 164 with the popular Scott Boland, who bowled below his best in the first innings, taking 4 for 33. Starc took another three wickets to give him ten for the match.
Then the whole atmosphere of the game changed. Captain Smith took what proved to be a master stroke in inviting Travis Head to open for Australia in their second innings. Head proceeded to play one of the best Test innings of all time. The third fastest Test century in Ashes history- off 67 balls. With strong support from Weatherald and Labuschagne the game was all over.
We went out for a most enjoyable dinner with good medico friends of my cricket tragic mate, got to bed latish for this 84 year old, went straight to the airport on Sunday morning and fluked a back end seat back to Sydney!
Wow!!!
David Boyd's Blog 