Job done. Australia thrashed.
They didn’t really have the answer to the combined heroics of Root (massive century and a couple of handy wickets), Bell (a very important first innings ton with a decent half century in the second (although he should have been out, caught, on 20-odd) and Swann (9 wickets). It has to be worrying for the visitors when their second best player, Watson, is having his technique exposed by the England attack in a big way – he was yet again a LBW victim today.
What is even more worrying for the Australians is that most of the England side haven’t even third gear yet. England are a fair bit off their best and have a lot more left in reserve. Yet they are still winning. They should have won the first test comfortably and thrashed Australia in this match. It’s a shame there is now a bit of a break.
As ever looking forward to the next test.
You say (as did quite a few pundits on TMS) that Bell should have been given out for the catch — but have you watched it? I totally disagree with the pundits on TMS — the picture looks pretty clearly like the ball hits the ground to me. I hate to link to the Daily Mail, but they have a clear image of it. As far as I’m concerned the ball is in contact with the ground — there is no room for a finger underneath it. He may also have his hands around it, but if its made contact with the ground at all then it can’t be out. If there is “doubt” — and there is more than sufficient grounds for doubt, then the benefit must go to the batsman. Notably the commenters on the page I linked all think the same as I do. The third umpire got this decision correct. Not out.