Aussies pray for Warne miracle
2005-09-12 08:00
Sydney - Australians are praying for a Shane Warne miracle to enable Ricky Ponting's cricketers to hang on to the Ashes in the weather-marred final Test at The Oval.
Australia have a minimum of 98 overs on Monday's final day to conjure a win which looks virtually impossible with England 34 for one, holding a lead of 40, and needing to avoid defeat to secure a first Ashes series in 18 years.
The mercurial leg-spinner once again is the man the Australian team is turning to at the eleventh hour and he, along with paceman Glenn McGrath, must take early wickets on the final day if Australia have any chance of victory.
"Under siege from death threats, bad weather, poor form and England's cricketers, Australia was on its knees hoping for one last Shane Warne miracle to rescue an Ashes campaign disappearing into the darkness at The Oval last night," The Daily Telegraph's Jon Pierik said.
"Australia's only chance of victory now was to bowl England out and hopefully have enough time to chase down a target - weather permitting."
Outstanding form
Warne has been in outstanding form in the series and he gave Australia early hope of another mesmerising performance when he snared the wicket of first-innings centurion Andrew Strauss with his fourth ball before play was halted.
That dismissal equalled Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee's record for most Test wickets against England of 167.
"Warne's removal of Strauss gave him 35 wickets for the series, bettering the haul with which he introduced himself to Mike Gatting and England in 1993," The Melbourne Age's Chloe Saltau said.
"He turns 36 on Monday and his influence on the series has been monumental with ball, bat and force of personality on the field.
"The tourists need to swiftly bowl England out and chase a target to keep the Ashes.
"Warne is capable of great things, but even he might struggle to keep England's grasping hands off the urn from here."
Warne's heroics came against a backdrop of the personal turmoil from a marriage break-up, yet his performances in the Ashes series have underlined the leg-spinner's mental toughness on the sporting field.
Thorpe hails Warney
Graham Thorpe, the recently-retired England batsman and heading to Sydney for a coaching stint, also experienced marital problems during his career and is convinced Warne's mental toughness in the face of a family crisis has confirmed his status as the greatest spin bowler of all time.
"Shane has had to deal with all sorts. He lives in a goldfish bowl bigger than any of us," Thorpe told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"You can never fault him for his commitment to his country - and his performances through the series have enabled Australia to get to the last Test still in with a shout.
"He's simply the best spin bowler the world has seen, in my eyes. When he walks on the park, he's able to separate the two parts of his life. That takes a lot of strength."