4th Test: Cook hopes to prevent whitewash
Captain castigated after England’s eight-wicket Ashes loss against Australia.
Dejected captain Alastair Cook leads the team out of the field after a humiliating eight-wicket loss by the hosts in the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne. PHOTO: AFP
MELBOURNE:
England captain Alastair Cook came under fire as the team is once again on the brink of a humiliating whitewash, not unlike the one seven years ago when the tourists lost the Ashes down under in a similar fashion.
On Sunday, Australia cruised to an eight-wicket victory in the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne, with a day to spare, claiming a 4-0 lead with one Test to play.
The demoralised tourists now have to find a way to stop the Australian juggernaut in this week’s final Sydney Test starting Friday to prevent history from repeating itself in the 5-0 rout of the 2006-07 series.
This time, Cook’s position is under scrutiny given the magnitude of the defeats and he contributed to the defeat yesterday by dropping two crucial catches in the first half-hour of play which could have put the Australians under pressure.
“This hurts quite a lot, especially as I’m captain,” he said.
Cook, however, insists he wants to continue as captain, leaving the big call on his post-Ashes future to the England selectors.
“We need that coming out of us now, I think that’s what we need in Sydney now; we need an outstanding 100 or an outstanding 5-for and then everyone jumping on the back of that.”
Rogers and Watson take Australia home
Led by a century from opener Chris Rogers and a 136-run stand with Shane Watson, the Australians had few problems getting the required 201 runs before tea to seal England’s fate on the fourth day.
At the end, Australia was 231 for two with Watson unbeaten on 83 and skipper Michael Clarke not out.
It was the best fourth innings run chase in 51 years at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since England’s 237 for three in 1962-63.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Johnson picked up his third man-of-the-match award in the series.
Clarke keen on playing Harris, Watson in Sydney
Skipper Michael Clarke says Ryan Harris and Shane Watson will play if they are fit and available as Australia pursues a 5-0 series whitewash against England in Sydney.
Harris has general wear and tear from bowling in four consecutive Tests over the last five weeks, while Watson injured a groin muscle while bowling in England’s first innings in Melbourne.
“If Harris is fit to play I don’t see any reason why the selectors won’t pick him, but that will be up to the medical staff and the selectors,” said Clarke.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2013.
England captain Alastair Cook came under fire as the team is once again on the brink of a humiliating whitewash, not unlike the one seven years ago when the tourists lost the Ashes down under in a similar fashion.
On Sunday, Australia cruised to an eight-wicket victory in the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne, with a day to spare, claiming a 4-0 lead with one Test to play.
The demoralised tourists now have to find a way to stop the Australian juggernaut in this week’s final Sydney Test starting Friday to prevent history from repeating itself in the 5-0 rout of the 2006-07 series.
This time, Cook’s position is under scrutiny given the magnitude of the defeats and he contributed to the defeat yesterday by dropping two crucial catches in the first half-hour of play which could have put the Australians under pressure.
“This hurts quite a lot, especially as I’m captain,” he said.
Cook, however, insists he wants to continue as captain, leaving the big call on his post-Ashes future to the England selectors.
“We need that coming out of us now, I think that’s what we need in Sydney now; we need an outstanding 100 or an outstanding 5-for and then everyone jumping on the back of that.”
Rogers and Watson take Australia home
Led by a century from opener Chris Rogers and a 136-run stand with Shane Watson, the Australians had few problems getting the required 201 runs before tea to seal England’s fate on the fourth day.
At the end, Australia was 231 for two with Watson unbeaten on 83 and skipper Michael Clarke not out.
It was the best fourth innings run chase in 51 years at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since England’s 237 for three in 1962-63.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Johnson picked up his third man-of-the-match award in the series.
Clarke keen on playing Harris, Watson in Sydney
Skipper Michael Clarke says Ryan Harris and Shane Watson will play if they are fit and available as Australia pursues a 5-0 series whitewash against England in Sydney.
Harris has general wear and tear from bowling in four consecutive Tests over the last five weeks, while Watson injured a groin muscle while bowling in England’s first innings in Melbourne.
“If Harris is fit to play I don’t see any reason why the selectors won’t pick him, but that will be up to the medical staff and the selectors,” said Clarke.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2013.