Mixed emotions for England's sports fans
Plays of the Day from the third one-day international between England and Australia at Old Trafford
Brydon Coverdale at Old Trafford
27-Jun-2010
England's cricketing victory provided some succour for disappointed football fans • PA Photos
Decision of the day
After Shaun Tait and Doug Bollinger bowled out in their desperate late attempt to bring Australia back into the game, Ricky Ponting was left with an interesting decision. England needed three runs and Australia wanted one wicket from the 50th over, but Ponting could not turn to Tait, Bollinger or Ryan Harris. Would he trust Steven Smith, who had bowled well and collected two wickets, and hope the tailenders miscued trying for the winning runs? Or would he opt for the more tried and tested James Hopes? Ponting went for Hopes, Tim Bresnan got a thick edge for four from the first ball of the over, and that was that.
After Shaun Tait and Doug Bollinger bowled out in their desperate late attempt to bring Australia back into the game, Ricky Ponting was left with an interesting decision. England needed three runs and Australia wanted one wicket from the 50th over, but Ponting could not turn to Tait, Bollinger or Ryan Harris. Would he trust Steven Smith, who had bowled well and collected two wickets, and hope the tailenders miscued trying for the winning runs? Or would he opt for the more tried and tested James Hopes? Ponting went for Hopes, Tim Bresnan got a thick edge for four from the first ball of the over, and that was that.
Surprise of the day
There were pessimistic rumblings that the spectators at Old Trafford would leave the ground in droves when England's World Cup match against Germany kicked off at 3pm. Even Andrew Strauss's decision to send Australia in was greeted with light-hearted cynicism: did he just want his boys to be in the dressing room to watch the football later in the day? In fact, very few people - a couple of hundred at most - left the ground, although many had headphones on to hear the commentary from Bloemfontein. There were plenty of backs to the cricket within the corporate boxes, and when Germany scored the first goal a loud muttering rippled through the crowd.
There were pessimistic rumblings that the spectators at Old Trafford would leave the ground in droves when England's World Cup match against Germany kicked off at 3pm. Even Andrew Strauss's decision to send Australia in was greeted with light-hearted cynicism: did he just want his boys to be in the dressing room to watch the football later in the day? In fact, very few people - a couple of hundred at most - left the ground, although many had headphones on to hear the commentary from Bloemfontein. There were plenty of backs to the cricket within the corporate boxes, and when Germany scored the first goal a loud muttering rippled through the crowd.
Unwelcome reception of the day
The dismissal of Kevin Pietersen isn't usually a cause for great optimism from an English crowd. But when he was walking off after poking a return catch to Shaun Tait, the fans suddenly erupted with cheers and hooting - a delayed appreciation of Tait's sharp take, perhaps? No, they had all just heard through their earpieces that Matthew Upson had scored a goal at the World Cup to bring England back to 2-1.
The dismissal of Kevin Pietersen isn't usually a cause for great optimism from an English crowd. But when he was walking off after poking a return catch to Shaun Tait, the fans suddenly erupted with cheers and hooting - a delayed appreciation of Tait's sharp take, perhaps? No, they had all just heard through their earpieces that Matthew Upson had scored a goal at the World Cup to bring England back to 2-1.
Sponsor of the day
Given the sporting rivalries of England this afternoon, one of the major sponsors at Old Trafford was especially notable. As the sightscreen rotated after every over, it advertised Wolf Blass Wines - a company founded by a German immigrant in Australia.
Given the sporting rivalries of England this afternoon, one of the major sponsors at Old Trafford was especially notable. As the sightscreen rotated after every over, it advertised Wolf Blass Wines - a company founded by a German immigrant in Australia.
The point of the day
Old Trafford has welcomed a new addition with the official opening of The Point, which is advertised as a conference or reception centre that can host 1000 people. It's essentially a big red, rectangular box that, until the rest of the ground is redeveloped, looks as odd in its historic surroundings as the Lord's media centre. Andrew Flintoff was on hand to cut the ribbon and open the venue, which also provided a handy balcony from which to view the cricket. Or, once the football started, from which to retreat and concentrate on the television.
Old Trafford has welcomed a new addition with the official opening of The Point, which is advertised as a conference or reception centre that can host 1000 people. It's essentially a big red, rectangular box that, until the rest of the ground is redeveloped, looks as odd in its historic surroundings as the Lord's media centre. Andrew Flintoff was on hand to cut the ribbon and open the venue, which also provided a handy balcony from which to view the cricket. Or, once the football started, from which to retreat and concentrate on the television.
Arrival of the day
The absence of key bowlers has been one of Australia's problems, though not as much as their batting, in this series, so it was interesting to note that Mitchell Johnson has now joined the touring party. Johnson was ruled out of the one-dayers with an infection in his right elbow, which was not strapped as he donned a baseball glove and played backstop for the fast bowlers as they warmed up on the field during the innings break. Don't expect a miracle comeback from Johnson during the ODIs though; he's much more likely to make his return for the Twenty20s against Pakistan.
The absence of key bowlers has been one of Australia's problems, though not as much as their batting, in this series, so it was interesting to note that Mitchell Johnson has now joined the touring party. Johnson was ruled out of the one-dayers with an infection in his right elbow, which was not strapped as he donned a baseball glove and played backstop for the fast bowlers as they warmed up on the field during the innings break. Don't expect a miracle comeback from Johnson during the ODIs though; he's much more likely to make his return for the Twenty20s against Pakistan.
Brydon Coverdale is a staff writer at Cricinfo