Booed on, laughed off
Plays of the day from the second day between England and Australia at Old Trafford
David Warner received a lively reception at Old Trafford • Getty Images
Reception of the day
When Steven Smith walked out to bat on Thursday he was booed by the entire crowd - by accident, it turned out, as they thought he was David Warner. When Smith was out on the second day, yet again the boos came. This time it was because Warner was actually walking out on to the ground. It was one of the most spontaneous and full throated of any in recent Ashes series. And quite surprising, as in Manchester, trying to hit someone from Yorkshire wouldn't always end in boos.
When Steven Smith walked out to bat on Thursday he was booed by the entire crowd - by accident, it turned out, as they thought he was David Warner. When Smith was out on the second day, yet again the boos came. This time it was because Warner was actually walking out on to the ground. It was one of the most spontaneous and full throated of any in recent Ashes series. And quite surprising, as in Manchester, trying to hit someone from Yorkshire wouldn't always end in boos.
Review of the day
There were probably no people watching this Test that didn't want Joe Root to bowl to Warner. Alastair Cook showed a shocking lack of humour when he kept Graeme Swann on instead. Luckily, Warner provides enough comedy value of his own these days. Warner felt he hadn't nicked the ball to slip, via Matt Prior's thigh, perhaps because he hit his pad at the same time. So he somehow convinced his captain to allow him to review it. It turned out that after one review, the boos turned into cacophonous laughter. Warner left the ground and Australia fans were left wondering why on earth Michael Clarke had allowed Warner to review it.
There were probably no people watching this Test that didn't want Joe Root to bowl to Warner. Alastair Cook showed a shocking lack of humour when he kept Graeme Swann on instead. Luckily, Warner provides enough comedy value of his own these days. Warner felt he hadn't nicked the ball to slip, via Matt Prior's thigh, perhaps because he hit his pad at the same time. So he somehow convinced his captain to allow him to review it. It turned out that after one review, the boos turned into cacophonous laughter. Warner left the ground and Australia fans were left wondering why on earth Michael Clarke had allowed Warner to review it.
No-ball of the day
Tony Hill has been under the spotlight during this Test and again he was the centre of attention when he made a very late no-ball call as James Anderson was appealing loudly for an lbw shout against Smith. But the reason for the delay in Hill's call quickly became apparent: Anderson had not over-stepped, but flicked the stumps with his hand on his way to the crease, knocking the bails off. Under a new ICC playing condition introduced on April 30 this year, that constitutes a no-ball, and while Steven Finn was considered the bowler most likely to suffer from the change, Anderson was the man who erred on this occasion. He would have been pleased to know that replays confirmed the ball would have sailed down the leg side.
Tony Hill has been under the spotlight during this Test and again he was the centre of attention when he made a very late no-ball call as James Anderson was appealing loudly for an lbw shout against Smith. But the reason for the delay in Hill's call quickly became apparent: Anderson had not over-stepped, but flicked the stumps with his hand on his way to the crease, knocking the bails off. Under a new ICC playing condition introduced on April 30 this year, that constitutes a no-ball, and while Steven Finn was considered the bowler most likely to suffer from the change, Anderson was the man who erred on this occasion. He would have been pleased to know that replays confirmed the ball would have sailed down the leg side.
Milestone of the day
It had taken Stuart Broad 326 balls (that's 54.2 overs) to move from 199 Test wickets to 200. But when Michael Clarke's fine innings came to an end, playing on as he attempted to guide a decent short ball to third man, Broad became the 15th England bowler to the milestone. In terms of Tests, Broad was the second slowest England bowler to reach the mark - this is his 60th Test; Andrew Flintoff took until his 69th - but it meant it was the first time since February 1982, when Sir Ian Botham, Bob Willis and Derek Underwood, playing his final Test, all played together against Sri Lanka that England have had an attack containing three men with 200 wickets each to their name. It had never happened before that trio played together.
It had taken Stuart Broad 326 balls (that's 54.2 overs) to move from 199 Test wickets to 200. But when Michael Clarke's fine innings came to an end, playing on as he attempted to guide a decent short ball to third man, Broad became the 15th England bowler to the milestone. In terms of Tests, Broad was the second slowest England bowler to reach the mark - this is his 60th Test; Andrew Flintoff took until his 69th - but it meant it was the first time since February 1982, when Sir Ian Botham, Bob Willis and Derek Underwood, playing his final Test, all played together against Sri Lanka that England have had an attack containing three men with 200 wickets each to their name. It had never happened before that trio played together.
Edge of the day
England made Clarke work hard before he was able to add to his overnight score on the second day. It took 26 minutes and until the seventh over of the day for Clarke to score a run and then it was an edge off the bowling of Anderson that flew to the third man boundary between second slip and gully that helped him get under way. It could easily have gone to hand. But Clarke quickly reminded England how important it was to capitalise on such moments by driving the next delivery quite beautifully off the back foot through cover for another boundary.
England made Clarke work hard before he was able to add to his overnight score on the second day. It took 26 minutes and until the seventh over of the day for Clarke to score a run and then it was an edge off the bowling of Anderson that flew to the third man boundary between second slip and gully that helped him get under way. It could easily have gone to hand. But Clarke quickly reminded England how important it was to capitalise on such moments by driving the next delivery quite beautifully off the back foot through cover for another boundary.
Drop of the day
There was a moment, with Australia on 430-7, when it seemed England may limit them to nothing more than a par score of around 450 on a fine batting surface. But, even by then, England had squandered an opportunity to wrap up the Australian innings long before it reached 500. When Brad Haddin was on 10 and Australia were 380-5, Prior put down a relatively straightforward chance offered off the bowling of Anderson. Haddin, attempting to pull, offered a thin under edge that did require Prior to change direction a little and move down the leg side but, although he made the ground quite easily, the ball to hit him on the left wrist and Haddin survived. It underlined the impression that Prior is enduring his least secure series with the gloves since his recall to the side in December 2008.
There was a moment, with Australia on 430-7, when it seemed England may limit them to nothing more than a par score of around 450 on a fine batting surface. But, even by then, England had squandered an opportunity to wrap up the Australian innings long before it reached 500. When Brad Haddin was on 10 and Australia were 380-5, Prior put down a relatively straightforward chance offered off the bowling of Anderson. Haddin, attempting to pull, offered a thin under edge that did require Prior to change direction a little and move down the leg side but, although he made the ground quite easily, the ball to hit him on the left wrist and Haddin survived. It underlined the impression that Prior is enduring his least secure series with the gloves since his recall to the side in December 2008.
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo