The last-ditch, non-result, dead-rubber draw: there's nothing like this

[Matilda]

How to explain the denouement of this supposedly dead-rubber Test? Try this: life moves pretty fast, but the clocks stopped on day five at the SCG

"OK: blank sheet of thought-scap. How do we root‑and‑branch this? What are the bite‑ables here? What, exactly, do our targeted people units want more of? When the England and Wales Cricket Board’s inevitable Ashes review gets round to the glorious oddity of day five of the fourth Test, it is tempting to wonder exactly how those present will dice and slice the events of Sunday afternoon at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The last-ditch, non-result, dead‑series Test match draw: there is no other substance quite like this in sport. It’s good. It’s great. It’s irresistible. But try to explain it, and it just kind of slips away."


https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2022/jan/09/its-good-its-great-its-irresistible-its-the-ashes-and-its-alive-and-kicking


I think it has to be my favourite cricket scenario - the five-day match that ends in a draw. And in this case, Australia had won the first three, and that can get a bit boring. But the fourth match was great. We were cheering on the Brits (Mr Matilda is a Pom anyway), and they managed to hang in there until the very last ball.

A wonderful day.

Am I alone in this?

[vanlassie]

1. Alone? I don't know, but I read the whole thing

hoping to glean at least a shimmer of understanding… I think it was about cricket? Sorry, I took a wrong turn somewhere. I’ll find my way out!😅

[SheilaAnn]

2. Hold my hand please, I'm right behind you..LOL. n/t

[vanlassie]

3. Hahaha!! I read Latest Posts exclusively, and sometimes

find myself in strange waters without realizing!

[SheilaAnn]

4. I hear ya..LOL. nt

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. You're not alone - it was a great Test ending, that only Tests can do

The last day - and the whole match - had all kinds of things, even though it couldn't change the series result.

Twin hundreds by Khawaja, recalled after more than 2 years, at age 35.
7 wickets for 66 runs by Boland, to give him an unbelievable average of 8.6, after 2 tests and 14 wickets - at age 32.
3 injured England batsmen, who nevertheless came out to make the resistance last longer (and with the official wicketkeeper and unofficial one in them, Pope as substitute wicketkeeper - which he doesn't normally do - took 4 catches out of the 6 wickets that fell in the 2nd Aussie innings, equalling, I think the radio said, a record. Meanwhile, the other proper English wicketkeeper in the country makes a 10 hour drive from Queensland to join them in time for the next test, because Covid protocols stopped him flying ...)
The return of Steve Smith's leg spin - forced by bad light. And he got one of the 2 wickets Australia needed! (his first in test cricket for 5 years) But couldn't get the last, as Anderson blocked resolutely for the last six balls.

[Matilda]

6. Gearing up for the final Ashes test tomorrow.

They've never played a Test match in Hobart, so makes a change.

I've never been to Tassie - supposed to be cold, even at this time of year. It's in line with New Zealand, so that makes sense. It's always cooler there than the Aussie mainland. Day/night will make things a bit chillier, but at least we'll have an opportunity to see a bit more than if it was just daytime.

Looking forward to it - and hoping for another five-day match.