I would back myself to squirrel that away for at least 2 runs even if I had to bat left handed to mimic Burns
But would back yourself to do so for the first ball of an Ashes Series each and every time. It's not that ball but that ball in that situation.
Burns has probably been telling himself for the last week "get in line, get in line, get in line" fully expecting a ball on and outside off stump. Why would he expect a leg stump half volley after all? What he did do was over compensate and to leave his off peg exposed but also fell over in doing so which is why he missed the ball too.
As I say it is the pressure of the situation. How many times do we think Harmy bowled before or after that infamous opening Ashes ball? How many times have we seen penalties diabolically taken or three feet putts missed in match winning situations? The difference here is that Burns, in facing ball at 90mph plus, had 0.4 seconds to make the correct decision. It was the nerves that exaggerate his movement that forced him to go too far. And a ball that Starc probably never intended to bowl in the first place. Why give a freebie like that first ball?
I have a confession to make here. A few years ago I would have been at the head of the queue to blame Burns. I would still say he is at fault and not offer any excuse whatsoever for his incompetence. Ironically, yesterday morning I watched a live stream of Seb batting in a 1st Grade T20 match. He was facing a left arm opening bowler who was, effectively, doing the same thing as Starc but bringing the ball into Seb as he is right handed. He'd just cut a wide ball but the very next delivery he tried to repeat the shot to a ball that was much closer to him and ended up chopping on.
We exchanged messages after the game and I asked Seb the obvious question - why did he play that shot? He said it was a "panic dab" because he had set himself for a totally different delivery. He will, hopefully, learn from it. But the point is that one bit of poor judgement from a batsman to a ball will, inevitably, result in just one thing. Harmison had the opportunity in the innings that he delivered that ball to correct the situation. After all, the wide only cost a run not a wicket. The only similarity is that it was the first delivery of an Ashes series and set a marker.
We also shouldn't underestimate the effect of a lack of adequate preparation as these are different tracks to what we play on at home. There is more bounce for a start. The bowlers are much, much better too. Whether Burns is a good opening Test batsman is another question. That's his job after all. But I wouldn't hang him on that one dismissal.
Root, in electing to bowl, had days to come to the right decision. And he didn't which is why, in electing to bat, he has handed the initiative to Australia . And one thing is for sure. I would have a better chance of deciding on whether to put Australia in than I would have had of facing that ball from Starc!
Why? Really? Why? When you know how hard it is to get Test wickets do you push your run up to the limit. You know that the effort ball is going to take you over the line so why not give you another six inches?
This is absolute peak England in Aus. Get skittled, bowl almost perfectly, edges fall short, Aus get through it. Aus finish the day with a mammoth lead.
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But would back yourself to do so for the first ball of an Ashes Series each and every time. It's not that ball but that ball in that situation.
Burns has probably been telling himself for the last week "get in line, get in line, get in line" fully expecting a ball on and outside off stump. Why would he expect a leg stump half volley after all? What he did do was over compensate and to leave his off peg exposed but also fell over in doing so which is why he missed the ball too.
As I say it is the pressure of the situation. How many times do we think Harmy bowled before or after that infamous opening Ashes ball? How many times have we seen penalties diabolically taken or three feet putts missed in match winning situations? The difference here is that Burns, in facing ball at 90mph plus, had 0.4 seconds to make the correct decision. It was the nerves that exaggerate his movement that forced him to go too far. And a ball that Starc probably never intended to bowl in the first place. Why give a freebie like that first ball?
I have a confession to make here. A few years ago I would have been at the head of the queue to blame Burns. I would still say he is at fault and not offer any excuse whatsoever for his incompetence. Ironically, yesterday morning I watched a live stream of Seb batting in a 1st Grade T20 match. He was facing a left arm opening bowler who was, effectively, doing the same thing as Starc but bringing the ball into Seb as he is right handed. He'd just cut a wide ball but the very next delivery he tried to repeat the shot to a ball that was much closer to him and ended up chopping on.
We exchanged messages after the game and I asked Seb the obvious question - why did he play that shot? He said it was a "panic dab" because he had set himself for a totally different delivery. He will, hopefully, learn from it. But the point is that one bit of poor judgement from a batsman to a ball will, inevitably, result in just one thing. Harmison had the opportunity in the innings that he delivered that ball to correct the situation. After all, the wide only cost a run not a wicket. The only similarity is that it was the first delivery of an Ashes series and set a marker.
We also shouldn't underestimate the effect of a lack of adequate preparation as these are different tracks to what we play on at home. There is more bounce for a start. The bowlers are much, much better too. Whether Burns is a good opening Test batsman is another question. That's his job after all. But I wouldn't hang him on that one dismissal.
Root, in electing to bowl, had days to come to the right decision. And he didn't which is why, in electing to bat, he has handed the initiative to Australia . And one thing is for sure. I would have a better chance of deciding on whether to put Australia in than I would have had of facing that ball from Starc!
May well lose the whole afternoon's play.
So we leave Broad out and bowl over the wicket
Harris edges Robinson into the slips.
Well bowled Karl
Might stay up a bit longer....
But it's a no ball.
Well done chaps. All you need to do is keep your foot behind the line.
We haven't had the full set yet - no drops so far!