Day Five - Rain saves Aussies??

Plenty to do to save the game


As one ambitious songster in the members put it - "only rain can save Australia now" as KP and Freddie set about the task at hand.

Awake to grey skies and renewed hope that England can head to Melbourne still holding the Ashes and somewhat oddly wanting to sit all day watching rainfall - sure the Barmy Army's rendition of singing in the rain would be worth the admission.





Got to the ground early bought a ball and thought would get George to practice his bowling. Tried the empty green spaces of the East terrace - no balls allowed, tried the green area out the back of the members stand - no access allowed. Finally sneaked through to the "old" net area and George was enjoying a good session when a WACA employee decided a 7 year old in bare feet with a plastic ball would somehow damage the turf. The WACA really has been quite an unfriendly, unwelcoming venue in contrast to the town itself - the attractions of the Cheltenham Festival become ever greater.

To top it all a security guard then told us we were not allowed a ball in the ground despite having bought said ball in the WACA shop - you could not make it up!

Where have all the Aussies gone. Surprisingly empty spaces in the ground with 5 wickets to fall for Australia to win back the Ashes. I need not have fretted about not getting tickets yesterday.

Flintoff and Pieterson take the fight to the Aussies and with some good fortune and considerable application win the battle for 18 overs with both reaching 50 before Warne took his second wicket bowling Flintoff with one that pitched outside leg and took off. 336 for 6 and hope is fading, and then poor Geraint Jones was run out while Warne appealed for yet another LBW, and his foot drifted over the crease, not the way to go. 336 for 7 . Mahmoud and Harmison came and went both falling LBW to Clarke and Warne, respectively the latter decision looked suspect given the turn Warne was extracting and the length of Harmi's legs which were stretched forward in sweeping. Monte battled 'til lunch but the clouds are not building rapidly enough........Two balls after lunch from Warne were enough as Panesar was bowled to give him 4 for plus a significant hand in Jones dismissal if only through another dubious appeal.

And that was that wild Aussie celebrations led by Adam Gilchrist who then gave his pads to a young Aussie fan, and once the hubbub had died down made sure he signed them. Great stuff!!

And then there was the Barmy Army who stood and sang (chanted) there hearts out for fully forty five minutes. George waited two hours moving from stand to Gate Two but to no avail as those England players that left the ground by coach walked passed heads down so no opportunity to add Monte, Matthew Hoggard and Sajid to the otherwise fully autographed bats. We moved to Gate 8 but as it may be a while before the Aussies come out will probably leave shortly. Did though get David Gower to autograph the shirt and enjoyed a chat with him though he did not recall Allan Lamb and the duck- will have to dig out the picture I have in storage when we get home.