Ashes 2013: 1st Test, Day 5 - Heroes of the day

What an unbelievable game of Test cricket!

Plenty of action, loads of drama, many anxious moments, interspersed with the occasional umpiring howlers, and finally – the sweet taste of victory that will be savoured by Alastair Cook and Co. for quite some time.

However, the Australians must be commended for putting up yet another fight, and once again through their last-wicket pair. They eventually fell 14 runs short, not only because of excellent bowling and fielding from the hosts, but also their dear old “friend” DRS.

Here are some of the Heroes of the Day:

Brad Haddin of Australia hits out off the bowling of Steven Finn of England during day five of the 1st Investec Ashes Test match

Brad Haddin (71 runs, 147 balls)

The veteran Aussie wicket-keeper played a lone hand down the order as he took the English bowlers head-on in his side’s quest to chase down the daunting target of 311.

He played some lovely shots on both sides of the wicket, and was selective with the flick off the pads, keeping in mind how most of his colleagues fell playing that stroke.

With teenage debutant Ashton Agar, Haddin raised 43 runs for the seventh wicket, before partnering James Pattinson in a 65-run stand for the last wicket. Haddin’s knock was instrumental in Australia making a desperate charge at the target, but for all his heroics, he just couldn’t hold on long enough.

Haddin eventually fell to a brilliant delivery from the impressive James Anderson, but it was the DRS that sealed his fate. Gutsy stuff from the wicket-keeper though.

Australia’s James Pattinson (R) hits a six off the bowling of Graeme Swann during play on the fifth day of the first Ashes cricket test match between England and Australia

James Pattinson (25 n.o. off 57 balls – 2 fours, 1 six)

Continuing from where young Agar had left off in the first innings, fast bowler James Pattinson also displayed his ability to wield the willow as he combined with the rock-steady Haddin to add 65 runs for the tenth wicket. And just like his 19-year-old teammate, Pattinson also swept the wily off-spinner Graeme Swann for a huge six over wide long-on.

His knock of 25 may not have been enough to see Australia home, but it did give England plenty of anxious moments before technology decided the eventual winner. A heartening display from the tail-ender. It just goes to show that England will have to fight harder than ever to retain the Ashes this time around.

James Anderson of England appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of James Pattinson of Australia during day five of the 1st Investec Ashes Test match

James Anderson (5/73 in 31.5 overs)

When the final day’s play started, England needed four wickets to go 1-0 up in the series, and the Burnley Express rose magnificently to the occasion.

Extracting good seam movement off the pitch and in conditions suited for batting, Anderson quickly ran through the tail – dismissing Agar, Siddle and Starc without too much fuss. He had to dig into his reserves of patience as the last wicket pair frustrated his side till lunch.

Shrugging off a slight bout of cramps in the second session, Anderson came back brilliantly as he finally removed the entrenched Haddin with a length delivery outside the off-stump, thus inducing a faint edge and winning the game for his side.

It is only the second time in Test matches that he has bagged 10 wickets, and he will have to raise his game to far higher levels if England are to retain the urn a second time.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann will have to get his squad to regroup quickly and put up a better showing for the rest of the series. It is high time the Kangaroos return to playing cricket the Aussie way – hard and fair. England will savour this victory for now, but Captain Cook would do well to remind his boys that there’s a long way to go in the series. Over to Lord’s!