The Hindu : Sport : Collingwood, Pietersen make merry

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Saturday, Dec 02, 2006
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Collingwood, Pietersen make merry

Ted Corbett

Adelaide: Just imagine the thoughts rushing through Paul Collingwood's mind as he waited at the non-striker's end while the first five balls of the final over of the first day of the second Test was bowled by Brett Lee to Kevin Pietersen.

Collingwood is on 98, only five days after getting out four short of his century in the first Test at Brisbane. He must be wondering - as anyone who is batting with Pietersen will wonder - just what will happen next. Can he get to the other end and ensure a peaceful night's sleep by scoring those two precious runs?

Will Pietersen, brilliant, erratic, unpredictable, push a single or, just as likely, unleash a wild shot and get out; or even go for an impossible run and put him in danger against one of the finest fielding sides? The Barmy Army, which has sung encouragement all day long, senses the drama and goes quiet; Australian fielders chatter excitedly; you can almost taste the drama.

For the first four balls Pietersen plays sensible defensive shots to Brett Lee but the fifth rises as he essays a hook shot, the ball catches the leading edge and skies towards Glenn McGrath at mid-on. McGrath, tired after a day in the field and, at 37, no longer quick, struggles towards the catch but cannot make it as the England batsmen go through for a single.

Collingwood gets into a mix-up with the final ball but survives; on day two he has a wonderful chance to secure the century he deserves. He is, as we have noted often here, a batsman of determination, courage and concentration; a favourite of the Barmy Army which knows a heart on the sleeve merchant; and becoming a mate of the Aussies who admire that style.

Strong recovery

When he gets to the crease there are just 43 runs on the board after 25 overs and Stuart Clark, a sensible, close to the wicket, straight but effective seamer has just taken two for four in 21 balls.

Ian Bell, the England No.3 has kept going rather than established his innings and there is just a chance that Andrew Flintoff's changed luck with the toss will be wasted on the sort of pitch batsmen dream about. Collingwood and Bell, who put on 178 in the warm-up game against South Aupletes a caught and bowled, even though for the second time in two Tests it seems that there will be a collision with Justin Langer.

The Army chorus grows silent for the first time , it even seems that the city of churches holds its breath and the field is brought in because, the Aussies, just like the rest of us wonder how Pietersen will begin.

He does not leave the 31,438 spectators wondering for long. First he finds the mid-wicket boundary, then launches a drive to the cover-point fence and finally swings a ball from Shane Warne over the ropes for six. Warne gives him terse advice, McGrath adds a homily on his good fortune cookie. Pietersen keeps playing his shots until he is 50 just before the close.

Now England has to turn a good start into a substantial score. Two of England's great stars have been in the press box all day, swearing that 450 is the minimum total to pressurise the Australians and, send the gloating sports fans of this nation into shock by revealing that these much abused Poms can play a little.

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