England v Australia: Benny's World Cup Blog
18 February 2015
As part of Gloucestershire Cricket's partnership with St Austell Brewery Benny Howell is writing a regular World Cup blog for the Western Morning News. Here are his thoughts on the England Australia match - a game he watched in person at the MCg.
After all the build-up the opening day of the Cricket World Cup 2015 didn’t disappoint with hosts Australia taking on England at the coliseum that is MCG in front of 91,000 baying fans.
Being here in Melbourne at the heart of the build-up was like being at Times Square New Year’s Eve. As usual in cricket, the weather was the talking point. Would it prevent the Aussies from destroying England. An emphatic 'No' was the answer.
Having elected to bowl first early wickets were the key for England. In the opening over from Anderson a chance was created. Finch clipping one straight to square leg, only to slip straight through the hands of Woakes. Shortly after, Moeen missed the opportunity to catch Warner at mid-off, again off the bowling of Anderson. Here we go again…
Finch's power was evident and the brutality with which he attacked the England bowlers was astonishing to watch. Hitting the ‘white rock’ both sides of the wicket the England bowlers who had no answer to the Victorian on his home ground. He brought up his 100 in rapid time and his fist pump to the air showed how much this meant to him.
England needed something special to stop the carnage and it came in the 37th over with a brilliant run out by Morgan, to finally remove Finch for 135. Two new batsman at the crease gave England hope but it wasn't to be as England bowled too short, right to the Australian batters’ strength. With The extraordinary stroke-making of Maxwell and the bullying shots of Marsh, the Aussies reached total 340. It's was an awesome spectacle to watch.
Steve Finn took a hat trick off the last 3 balls to take his figures to 5-71 but those three wickets were needed much earlier. Judging by his wry smile, he knew it too.
It would have been the highest chase at the MCG but unfortunately is was 100 too many for England. A collapse in the middle order saw Mitchell Marsh take his best figures of 5-33 (that name Mitchell must give England nightmares with nine wickets taken by Marsh, Starc and Johnson).
If it wasn't for James Taylor's sensational innings of 98 off 90 balls, it would have been an absolute horror show for England. Thank goodness he showed up to earn any respect that was left.
He was denied a 100 after he was given out LBW whilst trying sneak a quick single. After referring the decision, it was successfully overturned but James Anderson was given run out the other end. The ICC admitted after the game they made an error and the final decision should not have stood. A dramatic end to a one sided affair at the MCG.
Benny’s 5 facts and theories on Australia v England
- Key moment: Chris Woakes dropping Aaron Finch on 0 – catches win matches!
- Best Shot: James Taylor on one knee, fine sweeping Hazlewood for six.
- Best ball: Mitchell Stark in-swinging yorker to dismiss Broad.
- Best catch: Steve Smith diving at short cover full stretch to get Buttler out.
- Stat: 80% of England's balls were short in the last 10 overs. 5% were Yorkers
