Caledonia Dreaming or Ian38018 Sporting Travels: Fourth Ashes Test (2019)

England v Australia
(Old Trafford)

4th-8th September 2019

I think there were probably few folks north of the border rooting more for Ben Stokes during his Miracle on Kirkstall Lane than myself. Not because I particularly wished an England win – I have evolved of late to be relaxedly neutral on such matters, at least where cricket is concerned. No, it was because I had just shelled out around £350 for tickets for all five days of the Fourth Test at Old Trafford. And I really did not wish to spend almost a week watching a dead rubber (if I may be permitted to mix my sporting terminology).

Of course, as we all know, Stokes - aided by some decidedly eccentric field placement decisions by Australian captain Tim Paine – succeeded in hauling his side over the line, to tie the series at 1-1. Considerately leaving the Ashes still up for grabs at Manchester.

Day One

There had been a bit of rain around early on the morning of the first day, but it was thankfully dry by 11AM, so proceedings started on time; England's Stuart Broad bowling the opening ball of the business to Marcus Harris. Three balls later David Warner's woeful Ashes continued, as he was caught for a second ball duck. Way to Go, Bruce. His opening partner Harris followed in the seventh over, leaving Australia wobbling more than a touch on 28/2.

But in came Steve Smith to pretty much take up residence at the crease. Surviving an, admittedly difficult, Joffra Archer dropped catch, he was still there at the close of the day's play just after 6pm on 60, and looking ominously comfortable. Aided by a fine 67 from Marnus Labuschagne, Smith had hauled the visitors' total to 170/3.

Day One

Stuart Broad gets Day One of the 2019 Fourth Ashes Test underway

For the much anticipated first Archer to Smith ball, the latter casually lifted
his bat out of harm's way and let Archer's bouncer drift on by.

The wind played a major factor during play on Day One.
It pretty much appeared to negate Joffra Archer, whilst frequently blowing off the bails.
Indeed, there was a short period where we played without them.

Close of Day One scoreboard

Day Two

The second day of the test pretty much turned into a breathtaking batting master-class from Steve Smith as he piled on a further 151 runs, before finally being caught by Joe Denly on 211. His display had been so apparently effortless, it was one of those performances which would tempt the casual viewer to think “That looks so easy, I could do that”.

I can think of only two other occasions where I had been in the presence of such elite sporting proponents of their art: Tiger Woods at the British Open in 2013, and Usain Bolt at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Although to be honest, both were past their best by the time I encountered them. I suppose I could add Christiano Ronaldo to this list - even if all I really saw of him was the lad hobbling around for 25 minutes or so at the Euro 2016 Final

Australia declared their first innings on 497/8, giving themselves an hour or so to play with the England openers in the failing light.

Day Two - apologies to the chap whose head has been cleaved by my stitching software.

England v Australia - September 2019

Smith pads away a delivery by Overton to bring up his 100

Smith accepts the (mostly) plaudits (but a few boos) when achieving his century.

Soul Limbo

Jack Leach overstepping the mark with Smith on 118

Ben Stokes does a bit of extra-curricular fielding.

This really represented keenness

Smith kisses the badge on the occasion of his double-century...

...Jack Leach's thoughts at this point are not recorded

England v Australia - Sept 2019

Josh Hazlewood

Close of Day Two scoreboard

Day Three

Having got rid of Joe Denly during the twilight zone of Day Two, the Australians set about the rest of the English batsmen once play finally commenced after a two-and-a-half hour rain delay. Night watchman Craig Overton was soon gone, but Joe Root and Rory Burns put on a fine partnership of before the latter went for 88. Root joined him a couple of overs later, but the pair had taken England to 175/4. The hosts lost Jason Roy just before stumps, and closed the third day on 200/5 – still a whopping 297 runs behind.

I stayed at a hotel in Sale for most of the week, travelling by tram each day.
And it worked very well, with the vast majority of folks travelling away from the ground in the opposite direction.

Day Three (Hi Harry & Joe)

Inflatable fun in the Party Stand.

I really rather liked this t shirt.

Panorama of Emirates Old Trafford.

Close of Day Three scoreboard

Day Four

Just over 100 further runs were put on by England before they were all out for 301; Jos Buttler's 41 being the best of an indifferent set of displays.

Australia would have been looking to post a big total quickly and declare, but this plan went awry as their openers Warner and Harris continued along their woeful way. Both were both gone within seven overs, for 0 and 6 respectively. And when Labuschagne and Head also followed cheaply, suddenly a little chink of light appeared for England. This test looked not only savable, but perhaps even (whisper it) winnable.

But, of course, in came Steve Smith to do what he does, and to obdurately hang around for the next 24 or so overs, helping himself to a meaty 82 before being dismissed by Leach (one innings too late).

Late in the afternoon, Australia declared on 186/6, leaving England the unlikely total of 383 to win.

A total which appeared to disappear further over the horizon, when the hosts lost both Root and Rory Burns in the first over of their second innings. Oh Dear.

Day Four

This plane irritatingly buzzed around for a few minutes inviting Ben Stokes,
and I assume all of us, to partake is some bar snacks.

The stumps tell the tale of Jonny Bairstow's dismissal

At any break in play, the toilet queues were epic.

Stuart Broad taking some evasive action...

...which only delayed the inevitable by a few balls, as Mitchell Starc strikes.

Players arriving at the crease were introduced with this slightly sinister eyeballs pic.
I thought they could have seen the joke, and had Jack Leach wearing glasses.

England v Australia - September 2019

Jugglin' Jack Leach

My spell in the Thomas Cook Sport Stand on Day Four was blighted by being surrounded by drunken knobheads.

Close of Day Four scoreboard

Day Five

Well, Day Five actually ended up a whole lot closer than most folks felt possible. There was never any possibility of England reaching their target to win, but we were well into the final session before the host's final wicket fell.

Jos Butler and, perhaps slightly surprisingly, Overton had each spent almost three hours at the crease fending off over after over, before falling to the relentless Josh Hazlewood.

Overton's wicket was in fact, the final one to be taken in the test match; his lbw being confirmed by review, sparking remarkably unrestrained joy by the visitors. I think it is fair to say there was a fair degree of relief in the mix, for a I am sure more than a couple of those cavorting Australians out there realised how close England had come to rescuing this test.

Day Five found me in the Fosters' Party Stand, held up by a reassuringly large amount of scaffolding.

Day Five

The view from the top of the Foster's Party Stand.

Looking to the left Old Trafford (the football stadium) can be seen.

Panorama of Emirates Old Trafford.

As each day went on (and the effects of hours of binge-drinking had taken effect,
a distinct "edge" could be felt in the atmosphere.
I was witness to one fight in the Party Stand, so moved to the Stand B for the climax to proceedings.

Panorama of Old Trafford from Stand B

Jack Leach wastes a few minutes by doing the cleaning glasses thing. The next ball presented him was a
vicious bouncer, and the bowler could clearly be seen afterwards mouthing "Polish that one".