Weird Day 4 Sets the Stage for Dramatic Conclusion

This Ashes series has been one for the ages, and it's fitting that day 4 of the deciding match would be unusual. There's a sense that in order to retain the Ashes, Australia must contend not only with England's cricketer's, but also England's weather. It's somewhat fitting, given that Australia entered this contest much as Napoleon entered Russia - confident of a quick victory, and poorly prepared for the conditions.

Australia came into day 4 cruising towards a big first-innings lead. The question was whether they could build the lead fast enough to bowl England out for a victory. Day 4 changed the question to "huh"?

Even in the morning, the weather seemed to be on England's side, as cold, moist air helped the ball swing, and Flintoff struck.



Australia's anticipated lead never materialized.

Even Warne, who has done quite well with the bat this series, was out for a duck to Flintoff thanks to a catch which Vaughan bobbled but held.




Hoggard got into the act, too. Here we see McGrath edging to Strauss off Hoggard's bowling.





It was entertaining, even for people in nearby buildings outside the ground.



The tailenders took a few odd runs here and there, but nothing big. Here we see Tait running out a single.



Lee seemed to be ready to show his usual defiance, as we see him glaring at Flintoff here...



But he got under a big shot off Hoggard, which Giles caught near the rope to end the innings.



And Australia's innings was all over, with England stunningly 6 runs ahead. Flintoff took 5 wickets and Hoggard 4.



So now England came in to bat. The openers started cautiously against McGrath and Lee, but then the umpires, seeing deteriorating light, forced Australia to take off the fast bowlers and put in spinners. Warne came in for 1 over. Here we see Warne bowling to Strauss with an attacking field.



And here we see Katich celebrating catching Strauss off Warne's bowling.




So now we have a couple of ironies here. First of all, the umpires' attempt to make things fairer for England's batsmen - prohibiting fast bowling - led to England losing a wicket early. This also pointed up the greater irony - that England's bowling success may have actually IMPROVED Australia's chances for victory, because England did not look like they would survive too long against Warne in the current conditions.

But then the wild tale which is the Ashes 2005 took another turn. The umpires, having offered the light to Australia on day 3, decided to offer the same to England on Day 4 under similar conditions. It was a surprising and perhaps mistaken decision for Australia to have taken the light on day 3. For England on day 4 it was a no-brainer, and off they went. Instead of cricket, the fans (some of whom paid huge sums of money for their tickets on eBay) got a sing-along.



The teams were not off for too long before light improved slightly, and they were back in. The Australian players made a statement about the conditions by wearing their dark glasses.



And there was cricket again.

This odd camera shot reminds me a bit of American football:




Here we see McGrath giving Vaughan a little chin music.




Vaughan didn't seem to have too much trouble with McGrath, though, and he hit a couple nice fours off of wide deliveries.



Warne was a bit more of a challenge, though Vaughan managed to hang on...




... and the English fans wanted to see play stopped rather than see Warne run rampant.




Eventually, the umpires gave the English fans what they wanted. Here we see Gilchrist peeking as the umpires look at their light meter.



And there was much rejoicing as England fans celebrated the non-cricket. Here we see fans in Regents Park cheering the umpires.



So this was an odd day with some great cricket and some great non-cricket. Tomorrow, at the end of the day, someone will be holding the Ashes. The forecast is for better weather, so if Warne and company can cut through the England batsmen with at least 30 overs to spare it could be Australia, but otherwise it will be England. So stay tuned, and don't expect anyone in England to do any useful work tomorrow.