The first Ashes test was one to remember

James Anderson  (30) took 10 wickets and man of the match. Image taken from http://www.dailymail.co.uk. He is really the bowler with the best form in the world right now, following his success at the Champions Trophy.

England were the strong favourites going into the game at Trent Bridge and were dominating before the Australian number 11, Ashton Agar, came to the crease. England made 215 in the first innings and Australia were on 117-9. Agar and Phil Hughs made a record 10^th wicket partnership by any team (163 runs). Agar produced the record number of runs by a test match number 11 (98).

A number 11 making 98 runs does not happen in cricket. Yes, amazing acts of determination and defiance take place, but number 11 bowlers do not make scores like 98. Include the fact that Agar is 19 years old and this was his test debut, and a cricket fan like me cannot compute the possibility that this happened. Of course he moved up the order in the next innings.

Australia managed to get 280 (Agar 98, Hughs 81), a lead of 65 runs. England had a very good second innings thanks to an Ian Bell 109. They made 375 all out, leaving AUS with 316 to win. The Aussie openers made good scores, giving AUS a chance (Watson 46, Rogers 52). However wickets fell and Australia needed 80 runs with one wicket left.

Such was the determination of the last batsmen (Brad Haddin and James Pattinson) that before lunch on day 5, England were scared. It was visible that they were doubting they would win. England eventually got Haddin’s wicket and won by 14 runs. Haddin (71 off 147) and Pattinson (25 off 57) nearly stole the game for Australia.

Defiant: Ashton Agar (19) stunned everyone coming in at 11 and scoring 98. If his bowling can become as good as his batting he will go far. Image taken from http://www.theaustralian.com.au.

The match was filled with as much controversy as I’ve ever seen in a test. First Ashton Agar was given not out by the third umpire when he should have been given out stumped. His foot was not behind the line [England lost out because of this decision due to Ashton making another 92 runs]. Then Jonathan Trott was given out LBW because all the available technology pointed to him being out, but the side-on hotspot could not be utilised because of a technical glitch. The ex-England cricketer and commentator Sir Ian Botham felt certain it was an edge onto the pads [England lost out again]. The umpires later apologised for this!

Then the most memorable moment in the test came. Stuart Broad clearly edged a ball to slip. The umpire gave him not out. Australia had no reviews left. Whether the umpire had just made a mistake, was not concentrating or was trying to make up to England for Trott’s dismissal, it is unknown. In the end a lot of people have voiced their frustration at the incident. Many say that Broad should have walked, the ex-West Indian great and commentator Michael Holding said that Stuart Broad should be banned from cricket for not walking, calling Broad’s actions “contrary to the spirit of the game”.

The incident occurred when Broad was on 37. He finished on 65. This means that he made 28 more runs than he should have, twice the amount England won by. One way to look at it would be that England won because Broad stood his ground. Although, both the controversies involving Agar and Trott cost England more than 28 runs.

In my opinion if the umpire was really just giving Broad a lifeline because of the mistake involving Trott then Broad should have walked. If the umpire thought Broad was not out then I think it would be fine for Broad to stand his ground.

There are five test matches in this Ashes series. England are 1 – 0 up and the second test starts this Thursday at Lord’s in London. The other tests are on 01 August, 09 Aug and 21 Aug.