Best catch ever, now let’s get a win in my 50th Test
WE all had mixed emotions after the fourth Test. We stopped our run of defeats but we couldn’t do enough to win the game.
I thought we might be up against it when we lost the toss and had to bowl but actually it turned out to be not such a bad thing because the pitch didn’t break up. It gave us probably our best chance of winning the game, but it was not to be.
I was delighted with my keeping at the MCG. Every pitch has been different here and this one became so slow that I was actually standing seven strides nearer the stumps by the end of the Test than I was at the start of it to try to make sure any edge carried.
It was as close as you can get without standing up, really. And that meant the catch I took off Stuart Broad to dismiss Shaun Marsh just before lunch on the last day was, I believe, the best catch I’ve ever taken.
There was very little reaction time and from a technical point of view I was content that both my hands and head were moving towards the ball — until I had to put out just my left hand to claim it.
I’ve worked a lot with Bruce French on my reactions so I was really chuffed with that. And the only byes I conceded in the match came, I reckon, off Steve Smith’ s bat when he paddled one down the leg-side for four. I shouted ‘catch it’ straight away! But umpire Kumar Dharmasena didn’t think there was a touch even though I put my hands out as if to say ‘please don’t give them as byes!’
Frenchy is not around now and I do miss him because he has been a huge influence on my keeping. To have someone like him on hand to work with you and do your drills is invaluable.
We keep in touch when he is not here. He sent me a text saying he can now enjoy watching me keep on TV at home without worrying, so that’s nice to hear.
COOK THE INSPIRATION
HoW about Alastair Cook’s innings? And to think some people had written him off. I know people will have their opinions but there’s a reason he’s played 151 Tests. He showed such character in that unbeaten 244. He also showed what a great cricketer he is and a great bloke, too. To overtake three players in the all-time list in one innings is testament to the class act he is. Cookie is very proud of all he has done for England and quite right, too. I reckon he could go on for years and years. The levels of concentration, dedication and application that he has shown on so many occasions is an inspiration to us all.
BUT LAY OFF MOEEN
IT was only six Tests before Melbourne that Cookie was scoring a double hundred against West Indies so it really was premature for anyone to worry about him. And the same applies now I believe with Moeen Ali, who had such a great summer at home but has had a tough time out here.
Remember, he was the second fastest man ever to achieve the double of 2,000 Test runs and a hundred wickets and he hasn’t become a bad player now. I think Mo should be cut a bit of slack. I know Nathan Lyon is bowling well but history tells you finger spinners have rarely dominated in Australia. Let’s just back Moeen because he’s the best spinner in England and that’s been proven a number of times.
SOMETHING AND NOTHING
THE ‘ball-tampering’ accusations that came from nowhere during the fourth Test were, to me, very similar to those aimed at me for what I was supposed to have done to Cameron Bancroft at the start of this tour.
By that I mean they were blown up out of nothing and there was no truth in the suggestion that our bowlers were doing something illegal to get reverse swing in Melbourne.
For a start, Jimmy Anderson was cleaning the shiny side of the ball and he was doing it in front of the umpires. Yet it gets made out to be something it was not. The amount of stuff thrown at us on this tour that is insignificant has been incredible.
DIFFERENT TIMES
I FELT we were close to matching Australia in all three Tests we lost and this time we were even closer without getting that all-important ‘one’ on the scoreboard. So the MCG draw was frustrating but it has also given us confidence to believe we can win in Australia. I know there are lots of ifs and buts but Steve Smith has held their batting together.
Take him out and this series would have been a very different story. Hats off to him and Australia. They have played very well. But this is a very different England team to the one beaten in Sydney four years ago. There is huge camaraderie now. Everyone is still upbeat, smiling and battling for each other. There’s no bickering or in-fighting and this team is still growing. Yes, defeat in this Ashes series is definitely a big down but we are still moving forward on this trip, towards the level we know we are capable of.
SPECIAL HALF-CENTURY
WE have one more chance to win a Test on this tour and that is now a huge match. It will also be a special and emotional occasion for me because it’s my 50th Test cap.
It feels like a long time since my debut and this is a big landmark. Hopefully I will double it and there will be many more Tests beyond that, because I still feel I’m developing and have lots of improvements to make. I just have to keep on working hard.
This final Test also coincides with the 20th anniversary of my dad passing away and my mum’s birthday so I’m very glad she and my sister will be here and we will all be together at this time.
We were all together for New Year in Sydney last night at a team gathering — let’s face it, a curfew is a curfew but we had to see the fireworks! — and let’s hope that’s the start of a special week.
Happy New Year to you all!