Manners, I will grant you there was more on the line with this match, but Smith actually faced some balls back in Sydney - from Mitchell Johnson at full pace, no less. What might have been if Woakes had had to face Siraj with 6 needed to win the series…
I was also lucky enough to see Smith come out to bat in Sydney (and witness the Aussies cheering him onto the field) - but can’t imagine what the atmosphere at the Oval must have been like today. Unreal!
It was all a bit surreal rather than unreal! Smith could at least hold the bat with both hands and have his normal balance at the crease. But it was still stupidly and heroically brave... Did you see the pain Woakes was in after he tried to run at full pace with his arm strapped to his body? eina...
Thank Arpan, that's very kind of you. Doing ball-by-ball commentary from all five venues was a rare privilege - and receiving feedback from listeners in over 80 countries and territories was amazing. It was the first time ever that a second ball-by-ball commentary service (apart from the BBC) was provided from the venues during an Englan home summer.
The pressure seemed to get to many of the players out there (both sides). I was pleased to see Mohammed Siraj thrive under such pressure. A Herculean performance for the ages.
Some great updates during the series, including some nice off-the-main-road takes and pictures, thanks Neil. Re yesterday morning, I wonder if you have a theory for Gill leaving Atkinson free to take a single off the last ball of the over to keep the strike, not once but twice? Surely it was worth possibly sacrificing 4 (but likely 0) to get to bowl at Woakes? It felt to me like a sign that he wasn’t thinking very clearly.
Manners, I will grant you there was more on the line with this match, but Smith actually faced some balls back in Sydney - from Mitchell Johnson at full pace, no less. What might have been if Woakes had had to face Siraj with 6 needed to win the series…
I was also lucky enough to see Smith come out to bat in Sydney (and witness the Aussies cheering him onto the field) - but can’t imagine what the atmosphere at the Oval must have been like today. Unreal!
It was all a bit surreal rather than unreal! Smith could at least hold the bat with both hands and have his normal balance at the crease. But it was still stupidly and heroically brave... Did you see the pain Woakes was in after he tried to run at full pace with his arm strapped to his body? eina...
Great coverage Manners on both YouTube and Substack!
Thank Arpan, that's very kind of you. Doing ball-by-ball commentary from all five venues was a rare privilege - and receiving feedback from listeners in over 80 countries and territories was amazing. It was the first time ever that a second ball-by-ball commentary service (apart from the BBC) was provided from the venues during an Englan home summer.
Hope you visit Adelaide for the Ashes. Would love to say Thank you in person for your great work!
Thank you, Arpan. Very kind of you!
The pressure seemed to get to many of the players out there (both sides). I was pleased to see Mohammed Siraj thrive under such pressure. A Herculean performance for the ages.
Some great updates during the series, including some nice off-the-main-road takes and pictures, thanks Neil. Re yesterday morning, I wonder if you have a theory for Gill leaving Atkinson free to take a single off the last ball of the over to keep the strike, not once but twice? Surely it was worth possibly sacrificing 4 (but likely 0) to get to bowl at Woakes? It felt to me like a sign that he wasn’t thinking very clearly.