For England to win this match, they probably need to be bowled out sometime around the middle of tomorrow, for the chances of them declaring with any kind of reasonable target are minimal, particularly given their position 1-0 down in the series. It is fortunate then that the batting line up did their part to remove the possibility of a tricky decision by (yet again) getting out early. So much has been written about the flaws in the order, and the second innings was little more than a rinse and repeat of the first – Roy getting out early, Burns looking the part as a Test opener without going on to a big score, Root struggling at number three, Denly getting in and getting out again.
Buttler and Stokes arrested the slide batting to the close, but with England just 104 ahead and with only six wickets in hand, posting a challenging score is going to be difficult. As to what would offer a passable chance of victory, anything around 200 would be likely to be less than easy to chase, because although it is really only a two and a bit day pitch, there will be the added pressure of a run chase. Yet it is by no means certain England will get there, it is going to require some support from the tail, and at least one of the remaining batsmen to make a significant contribution. If more than one does so, then the chances of a definitive result will start to recede, but these are wild fantasies given the batting performances so far, even if the lower order have done well.
Undoubtedly the biggest talking point of the day was Jofra Archer’s duel with Steve Smith. It was a riveting, thrilling passage of play, with Archer’s speed rising into the mid-nineties and Smith for the first time look genuinely discomfited. First the blow on the arm, which eventually resulted in Smith going for an X-Ray (fortunately showing no break), and then a sickening blow to the neck which left Smith on the ground, to retire hurt, and then to return for a frantic brief stay at the crease.
There are so many issues arising from this – firstly that Test cricket is testing, and that a fast bowler intimidating batsmen is entirely part of the game, and those who complained about that part are simply not worth listening to. The next element was the reaction of Jofra Archer, based on he and Jos Buttler smiling and sharing a conversation a good five minutes after the event, but while Smith was still being treated some distance away. Archer’s reaction was deemed in some quarters to be showing a lack of care, a lack of interest in the welfare of a player hurt. This is unfair and presuming knowledge of the inner thoughts of another person. It’s also something to which I can relate to some degree. Some years back I hit a straight drive back which hit my batting partner (who wasn’t wearing a helmet) flush on the side of the head. I can recall my reaction to it all too well – yes, absolutely I went to see if he was OK, but I was also utterly bewildered and confused by it. That initial reaction was not so much to rush to his aid (as it undoubtedly is when a bystander rather than the perpetrator), but a confused one, denial that it had happened, and absolutely nervous laughter and attempts at humour. It is entirely normal to be so uncertain in terms of reaction, and not to behave in the way that those on the outside might imagine someone should. The mind in those circumstances is a maelstrom of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
As my batting partner left the field to go to hospital, I carried on batting, entirely on auto-pilot. I lasted about 5 minutes before the dawning terror of what had just happened came through, and at that point the cricket field was the last place I wanted to be. I spent much of the rest of the afternoon with a rising sense of concern and became progressively more upset. I have no idea what was going through Jofra Archer’s thoughts, but I do absolutely recall my own state of mind when something not too dissimilar happened, and I am not prepared to act as judge and jury because someone didn’t react in the way that the court of social media wanted them to do in the moments following a genuinely sickening incident.
The ground did go completely silent as it happened, as grounds do when there is shock and concern, but when Smith came back on to resume his innings, a largely supportive crowd gave a standing ovation, but the ground also contained a few who booed. Those who did are idiots, but it doesn’t take very many to do it out of a crowd of 30,000 to be extremely noticeable. And while they might be idiots for doing that, there have been enough instances in Australia, England and elsewhere of related fools to forestall any attempt at claiming the moral high ground by anyone. That’s not to defend in any way those at Lord’s who booed a brave and fine batsman, it is to acknowledge that morons exist everywhere, and selective outrage either in England or Australia when some in the other country are guilty of it remains endlessly tiresome. More than that, it operates as a feedback loop, and doubtless there will be some in Australia next time around using that as an excuse to berate English players. And so it carries on, with some pretending they are the good guys and the opposition supporters are not, with no grounds whatever for such a view.
Those present at the ground reacted with some surprise at the strong reaction on social media, suggesting that the boos that were clearly audible through the TV speakers probably were not indicative of a wider response within the ground. Either way, it was unedifying and didn’t reflect well on those who did it.
As a passage of play though, it was utterly beguiling. And there is the additional point about what it means for the remainder of this series. Extreme pace makes any batsman, no matter how good, uncomfortable. Smith has looked to be playing on a 25 yard pitch thus far this series, so much time has he had to play the ball. For the very first time, he looked in trouble, and that means that he’s going to get a whole heap more of the same for the remainder of the series, which is no different at all to the way England players have been targeted by short pitched bowling by Australia, and something Smith himself will both expect and be up for the challenge set. It means it’s going to be exciting, and intimidatory, and entirely within both the laws and the spirit of the game, just as it was the other way around. When England were being bounced out by the likes of Mitchell Johnson, the frustration was that England didn’t play it better, not that there was anything at all wrong with the tactic. In Archer, England have a weapon of not just pace, but extreme pace. Given the number of overs he bowled this innings, the danger is in him being overbowled rather than used as a strike bowler, and his 25 overs in Australia’s innings ought to be a concern.
Smith aside, England had chipped away at the Australian batting order all day. Archer was explosive, but Broad had been his usual efficient self with the ball, and collected four well deserved wickets. Broad continues to be somewhat underappreciated, despite his 450 Test wickets, but his enforced rest over the winter gave him the opportunity to work properly on his bowling, and the results seem fruitful. At 33, and without quite the athletic physique of his long term opening partner James Anderson, he may not be too far from the end, but his attempt to prolong his career reflects well on him – even his batting appears a touch more confident than it has been, albeit a long way from the days when he was verging on being a genuine all rounder.
Tomorrow might be a depressing day, a dull day or a thrilling day. And the 98 overs scheduled will have to be bowled, which will make a delightful change.
Being Outside Cricket 