Rogers the master of the DRS
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the fourth day at Chester-le-Street
Like in the first innings, Chris Rogers was shelled low down by Graeme Swann at second slip • Getty Images
Review of the day
Chris Rogers has used the DRS far better than any other batsman during this series and that continued on the fourth day, when he was given out caught-behind off the bowling of James Anderson. Rogers asked for a review and Hot Spot confirmed the ball had tickled his thigh, not the bat, on the way through to Matt Prior, which meant Tony Hill's decision was overturned. It was almost a carbon copy of a review that reprieved Rogers in the first innings, except on this occasion the ball struck him too high to be a realistic chance of lbw, whereas the first one proved to be an "umpire's call" lbw when the caught-behind was reversed.
Chris Rogers has used the DRS far better than any other batsman during this series and that continued on the fourth day, when he was given out caught-behind off the bowling of James Anderson. Rogers asked for a review and Hot Spot confirmed the ball had tickled his thigh, not the bat, on the way through to Matt Prior, which meant Tony Hill's decision was overturned. It was almost a carbon copy of a review that reprieved Rogers in the first innings, except on this occasion the ball struck him too high to be a realistic chance of lbw, whereas the first one proved to be an "umpire's call" lbw when the caught-behind was reversed.
Drop of the day, part 1
Australia were 35 without loss and Rogers had scored 14 when he was drawn into feeling for one angled across him in Tim Bresnan's first over and edged the ball towards the slip cordon. Graeme Swann, at second slip, flung himself to his right and came close to pulling off an outstanding catch, but was unable to cling on. Replays suggested the ball would probably not have carried to Alastair Cook at first slip.
Australia were 35 without loss and Rogers had scored 14 when he was drawn into feeling for one angled across him in Tim Bresnan's first over and edged the ball towards the slip cordon. Graeme Swann, at second slip, flung himself to his right and came close to pulling off an outstanding catch, but was unable to cling on. Replays suggested the ball would probably not have carried to Alastair Cook at first slip.
Drop of the day, part 2
Swann was on 17 when he attempted to thump a delivery from Nathan Lyon for six back over the bowler's head. But Swann failed to connect cleanly and instead skied a relatively straightforward chance towards Steven Smith at long-on. Smith, usually such a good fielder, made a fearsome mess of the opportunity and was unable to cling on to the ball amid much heckling and mocking from the crowd. England only added another 13 runs before Lyon ended the innings, but in a game of small margins, it could yet prove crucial.
Swann was on 17 when he attempted to thump a delivery from Nathan Lyon for six back over the bowler's head. But Swann failed to connect cleanly and instead skied a relatively straightforward chance towards Steven Smith at long-on. Smith, usually such a good fielder, made a fearsome mess of the opportunity and was unable to cling on to the ball amid much heckling and mocking from the crowd. England only added another 13 runs before Lyon ended the innings, but in a game of small margins, it could yet prove crucial.
Field placement of the day
Alastair Cook has been cast as the defensive captain in this series. It's a typecast he'll have to get used to. But when Graeme Swann came on for his first over, Cook had all nine of his fielders up. Sure, only two were close catchers, but there were no sweepers. No one giving an agreed-upon single. It was nice. Then David Warner hit Swann for a six over wide mid-off. It was an amazing step and hit inside-out off drive. The next over, Cook had a long-off out.
Alastair Cook has been cast as the defensive captain in this series. It's a typecast he'll have to get used to. But when Graeme Swann came on for his first over, Cook had all nine of his fielders up. Sure, only two were close catchers, but there were no sweepers. No one giving an agreed-upon single. It was nice. Then David Warner hit Swann for a six over wide mid-off. It was an amazing step and hit inside-out off drive. The next over, Cook had a long-off out.
Hat-trick delivery of the day
The two most recent hat-tricks in Test cricket have both featured Stuart Broad, first when he was lbw to Peter Siddle to complete the feat at the Gabba in 2010 and then when Broad himself claimed three from three against India at Trent Bridge in 2011. So it was somehow fitting that it was Broad who walked to the crease when Ryan Harris had just knocked over Ian Bell and Matt Prior with accurate deliveries that sent the stumps flying. But Broad managed to avoid involvement in a hat-trick of Test hat-tricks when he defended the next Harris delivery to cover.
The two most recent hat-tricks in Test cricket have both featured Stuart Broad, first when he was lbw to Peter Siddle to complete the feat at the Gabba in 2010 and then when Broad himself claimed three from three against India at Trent Bridge in 2011. So it was somehow fitting that it was Broad who walked to the crease when Ryan Harris had just knocked over Ian Bell and Matt Prior with accurate deliveries that sent the stumps flying. But Broad managed to avoid involvement in a hat-trick of Test hat-tricks when he defended the next Harris delivery to cover.
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo