That dropped catch

The adage that catches win matches was never better exemplified than when Shane Warne dropped Kevin Pietersen with England still in the woods.

That miss proved more than costly as Pietersen grabbed the god sent opportunity to take his team to a draw and also kiss and hug a replica of the mythical Ashes Urn that eluded them for a near 19 years.The final Test played at the picturesque London Oval was competed for in the best of spirits by the teams and what was irritating was that the fickle English weather had to step in and be a spoil sport.

When Warne dropped Pietersen, England were choking. At that moment Australia seemed poised to force a victory and retain the Ashes that these teams have been constantly fighting for.

England in fact were on a respirator when Pietersen was grassed as it were. African born Pietersen took on the role of physician and pumped Oxygen into a dying England innings to give it life again, make a miraculous recovery and bring every England cricketer and fan shouting again as the Brits held off the baggy green caps.

Australia's butter-fingered catching gave Pietersen two more chances. It was one of the worst fielding displays by the Aussies and it was poetic justice that they paid for it.

It would be interesting to recall what former Australian great captain Richie Benaud said of dropped catches. He said that dropped catches do not necessarily mean losing, but that it can make winning that much more difficult. But in this instance, the Aussies did not have the time to even get a peep into an unlikely victory for lack of time.

England are apparently still celebrating victory. Rightly so because they have always been on the losing side for nearly two decades. That they finally triumphed is good for their game and the game allround.

There is no doubt that England was the better side this time round. They had apparently been studying the Australian style of demolishing opposition. England's final shot that brought them ultimate victory was that they had decided to take on the Aussies head on as it were, hitting back harder when hit.

England's aggressive batting was a revelation. This attitude coupled with hostile bowling surprised the Aussies who did not seem to have a sound defence or a counter. This is the first time that the baggy green caps were made second best. It certainly would have been galling to the kangaroos. But that is how the game goes.

The British lions were waiting to pounce and pounce they did at the slightest opportunity. And Aussie skipper Ponting gave them that opportunity when he won the toss in the Second Test and gave the home team a life line. Talk that Warne had a heated exchange of words with Ponting after this lapse, could be true.

England seem to have a good team that they can build on and be a challenge to any team and also endeavour to win the next World Cup in the Caribbean. They have never laid their hands on the WC and how they must be yearning to.

England's only weakness is in the spin department. Ashley Giles their spin hope is not in a match winner's class. He was picked to spin out the Aussies, but sadly became more a batsman than a spinner. England must search for a spinner in the class of a Jim Laker or a Derek Underwood.

As for the Aussies, like their captain Ricky Ponting said they are still the number one in both versions of the game. True it would have hurt them to lose the Ashes to their bitter rivals. But then that's how the game goes.

The baggy green caps are still a formidable side. The selectors we are sure would not press the panic button and make wholesale changes. They would have to look for replacements especially for Gillespie and Kasprovicz.

Other than that the present lot can hold on to their spots and play for another season or more. The Aussies are sure to hit back with a vengeance. The selectors would cleverly introduce new blood. The Windies who are to be the next opponents, would certainly suffer as the Aussies vent their wrath and hit back with arrogance.