Gabba witnessed some sparkling fireworks from the blades of Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin, as their partnership that blossomed to add 307 not only broke records, but also did well to deliver fiercesome blows to the English side, which had squandered away all the hold it had on the Australian side at the end of the second say’s play at Gabba. The upshot, England now has to battle it out to save itself from blushes, as Strauss and Cook survived some anxious moments before the close of play on the third day of this Gabba test, the first in the Ashes 2010 encounter.
Anderson flooring a catch, Broad turning crimson, as a welter of emotions ran amuck at the Gabba cricket ground, with Hussey and Bradin finding momentum to plaster the English bowling to all parts of the ground. Hussey was keen to prove a point to the cricketing world and Haddin played perfect second fiddle to Hussey, as the brilliant union of these two baggy greens plundered the resolve of the English attack. England now has to come out with an extraordinary performance to ensure a draw, and with it keep the Ashes 2010 hopes alive. Australia is back in the saddle with a massive lead of 221, as Ponting would be waiting to unleash the Australian fury to pave way for the English debacle.
The day belonged to the southpaw, Hussey, who with precise footwork and positive stroke play delighted the Gabba crowd, as he never shrunk from taking the minutest of opportunities to steal a single, which is the hallmark of an Australian batsman. Take the single, rotate the strike, sow seeds of doubts and disbelief in the minds of bowlers, as it worked well like a Swiss clock, and the English bowlers hadn’t a clue to unsettle the Australian batsmen, though costly lapses rubbed in insult to the already existing injury. England toiled hard for 59 overs to get the first breakthrough of the day, and Finn turned out to be the unexpected hero for England at the end of the Australian first innings of this first test related to Ashes 2010 series. England still needs 202 runs to make Australia bat again, and the fourth day’s play at Gabba has an interesting battle on the cards.
