Manchester's Day Five Heart Stopper!

I was lucky to receive an sms at 8am to say the gates were open as I might have been one of the unlucky 10,000+ locked out of the 5th day at Old Trafford. I was already on my way to the ground, but I ran to get there sooner than later. Notwithstanding I had a day five ticket, so apparently I could have got in after anyway, but I wasn’t taking chances of missing what was an exciting test match.

My heart was racing at the start of the day, and again at the end but for different reasons. I’d better work on my fitness I think or I’ll be in a pine box in Nottingham if these test matches keep ending the way they have. I just about snuffed it in Edgbaston following England’s last gasp win, and this was just as good.

Scrambling through the crowd, the lines, and bag searches I made it into the E stand where 30 Flaggers had congregated to see out the match. Looking over the back of stand, at 10.15am the queues of people locked out of the ground had now been locked out of the tram station, so their day had gone from bad to worse. I didn’t feel sorry for them mind you, they should’ve got there earlier!

Adventuresome fellows scaled the back wall. One lad made it in, but security spotted him, and after following him into the stand, dragged him out. His mate standing on the roof of the toilet block, on seeing him being led away retreated over the barbed wire to wait for the next tram. Good move! I think I’d rather go home and watch it on the TV rather than spend the day trying to sneak in and miss it. (Below: The Englang flag was flying proudly for the home team for the duration of an exciting, and ultimately disappointing, day 5.)

I was hoping Australia would hold out for the draw as I didn’t think we could get the runs, but I’ve not seen a lot of cricket around the world, this being only my 9th test, and therefore not familiar with the way the game’s played here, how the pitch or light hold up, etc… so when it came down to the last over, with England needing one more wicket and Glenn McGrath on strike, I couldn’t help but think we’d not make it. Glenn McGrath is not the world’s best batsman!

The fact Australia came as close as they did to scoring 423 was through the amazing innings of Ricky Ponting. I’ve seen a few hundreds, but this was a something special. When he got to 150 with Shane Warne batting so well, I thought we could win it.

Watching Australia get run after run, I could see we were never fully out of the race as the run rate never got to 6 per over until there were 21overs remaining. With Ricky and Shane doing so well, I could see us winning. I still felt Australia’s best bet for was the draw so I sat huddled in The Flag, cheering and clapping every run, all the while my heart skipping beats with every England appeal for LBW or catches. I was shaking, in part because of the cold wind that whistled over us the entire day, even when the sun was shining.

When Warnie was out off the arsey catch by Jones who hasn’t been able to hold much this match I held a glimmer of hope because Ricky was there, and I kept praying the other batsmen could play as well as they did in Birmingham, and get us home for the draw. But then Ricky was out, and I just about gave up. (Below: Locked out of the ground, and of the station. What else could go wrong for England? A draw!!)

During my time with The Flag, I’ve learned never to give up. Flaggers always believe in the team no matter how bad the situation, which is why they keep travelling. When Ricky was out, I could barely find the energy to stand and clap him off, I was that upset. I saw the chance of a draw about gone. Not for the sake of being on the edge of my seat, it was better to stand, stretch out the nervous tension, and cheer Ricky off than squat in the doldrums of disbelief.

But there was nothing more disbelieving and nerving than watching Brett Lee and McGrath face and survive the final 4overs while the England crowd did their best to get the home side home! The Barmy Army were fantastic as chant after chant echoed around the ground. The phenomenal atmosphere generated by 20,000 England supporters all cheering for one more wicket was incredible!

When the final over started that fine line between pleasure and pain was drawn between Harmison and McGrath. Thankfully it wasn’t the game’s best over, and Glenn was able to get a run to get Lee on strike and I felt a pang of exhilaration, as I knew Lee was better and more likely to hold on.

Making it to the last ball, the entire crowd was screaming, and cheering, hoping for one thing, though vastly different for opposing supporters. When Lee hit the final ball for four, I just about wet my pants while all Flaggers were cheering, hugging, and jumping up and down with Australian flags being waved in celebration. It was amazing. The last test in Edgbaston was good, but I think this was better, probably because Australia did get the draw, but it was better cricket throughout the match that’s for sure.

Now it’s off to Nottingham where Australia sealed the series in 2001 and 1997, so we have good reason to look forward to the 4th test. And no matter how good that is, this match will be one of those talked about forever. I know I will!!

Lucy Edwards 17/08/2005 14:29:25