HARMISON’S FIRST-BALL HORROR
The stage was set for a fiery start to the 2006-07 Ashes between the blood-thirsty Aussies and the nervous Poms. Curtis Woodward describes the series’ dramatic opening act.
Despite holding the Ashes after an incredible series win in the United Kingdom in 2005, this time it was the English who found themselves walking into the lion’s den ahead of the 2006-2007 series in Australia. Never had the men in the Baggy Green been more determined to regain what they thought was rightfully theirs. This was an Aussie team featuring some of the greatest cricketers to ever play the game; they knew they had a legitimate chance of going 5-0 in their own backyard.
Leading into the First Test at the Gabba, there were question marks hanging over the head of English paceman Steve Harmison, who had been struggling for confidence.
Some suggested the coin toss would determine the visitors’ fate before a single ball was even delivered ... Dread soon filled the English dressing room, with Ricky Ponting winning the toss and deciding Australia would bat first.
Would England skipper Andrew Flintoff toss the new Kookaburra to Harmison? There were calls from some quarters for Flintoff to open the bowling himself – being one of only a few x-factor players who could potentially thrive in the Australian summer and ask some serious questions of one of the great batting line-ups of the modern game.
Harmison would deliver the first ball of the Test to Justin Langer. In commentary for Channel Nine, former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy examined England’s fielding positions, particularly the lack of men in the slips cordon.
The big quick from Ashington wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve and came forward and scratched out his mark again. Umpire Steve Bucknor turned nonchalantly and saw Harmison steaming in.
Langer peered down over his bat to watch the first ball of the Ashes spray out of Harmison’s big right hand – so wide and short that Flintoff caught it at second slip at waist height.