BATTLE FOR THE URN

Cricket’s erstwhile battle is back. The first day of the first Test of the Ashes 2009 has just drawn to a close. It was a see-saw battle that finally saw Australia gain an edge over the English who ended with 336/7.

As is the case of the Ashes, the eve of the tournament was eventful. There were the usual mind games, only that this time it was the English dishing it out to the Aussies. The Aussies’ mind games came from outside their team from Shane Warne who spent his retired life playing poker all around the world. He began his mind games by poking Ravi Bopara stating that he should not be in the playing eleven. A few days ago he gave useful advice to the English urging them to include Monty Panesar in the eleven before shifting his focus towards his own team where he called for Nathan Hauritz’s inclusion.

It was a battle between a dilapidated Australian line-up and probably the strongest English Test line-up ever. This is the second tournament of the Ricky Ponting era. Australia were going in without their strongmen who had ruled the roost in 2005 and 2006. Justin Langer, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Damien Martyn, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist have all made way for players of the likes of Phillip Hughes, Nathan Hauritz, Brad Haddin etc. Brett Lee was the only remainder from England 2005 but he is currently out of the team on account of rib injury. A bad time to pick up injury considering that just a couple of days ago, he had picked up six wickets in the second innings in the warm-up game against the England Lions. The battle for his place boiled down to Stuart Clark and Ben Hilfenhaus and the latter won a place on account of his good showing in South Africa earlier this year. He did not disappoint as he picked up two wickets to join his mates, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson who also had two apiece.

Probably for the first time, the Australian team selection has begun recognising merit over reputation. How else would you explain the omission of noted players like Shane Watson and Stuart Clark from the XI? Mitchell Johnson has risen to such a level that even Brett Lee’s position in the team is under threat. Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus have been the two players who have impressed the selectors this year. Had Michael Hussey not struck form in the warm-up game, he too would have faced the axe but thankfully.

Shane Warne has contended that the IPL is bigger than the Ashes. He is retired now and the only official cricket he plays these days is the IPL. So it is no surprise that he wants other important tournaments to make way for a domestic T20 event. He has also called for scrapping of the Champions Trophy. What next, we wonder. I would not be surprised if he calls for scrapping of the Ashes altogether.

The battle for the urn promises to be full of excitement for the next few months. Let’s enjoy it.