Magical Adelaide: Warner, Kohli, Lyon, and an inspired win

Nathan Lyon celebrates the winning moment in Adelaide (photo: Getty Images)

DAVIS HARRIGAN

INFINITY CRICKET MEDIA

Ecstatic scenes at the Adelaide Oval on day five of a test match that twisted, turned, surprised, and ultimately thrilled, encapsulated the perfect send off for Phillip Hughes by the Australian team.

David Warner was electrifying. Nathan Lyon was the spin king. Michael Clarke was falling apart and still put on a majestic performance. Virat Kohli decided defence was a bad idea.  India almost won the test.

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Cricket: Australia v India: David Warner steals Day One show

David Warner holds his helmet high dedicated to Phil Hughes as he celebrates a century (photo: Getty Images)

A sunny and dry Adelaide greeted Australia and India, on what was a heartfelt but heavy day for cricket.  Tributes to Phil Hughes flowed pre-game, as Australian skipper Michael Clarke won the toss and confidently chose to bat.

His decision was ultimately justified by the powerful David Warner, who decided to put Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron to the boundary three times in his opening over.  His very first delivery was smashed with precision timing to the cover ropes.

Cricket: Why Australia v Pakistan is nothing more than a “warm-up”

Australia celebrate over Pakistan in the 3rd ODI (photo: Getty Images)

The entire series feels as though it is squeezed somewhere in between the start of the Australian season and the wrapping up of the Champions League Twenty20, just to keep the fans engaged.

Of course, this is not the case, and it is proving to be beneficial for a few of the Australian players.  Steve Smith registered his first one-day international century with some superb shots in the first of three matches in the series.

Cricket: Australia v South Africa: Tables turned, Proteas humiliate green and gold tourists

South Africa celebrates a crushing victory (Photo: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

One could be forgiven for doing a double take at reading the scoreboard.  After such a resounding victory in Centurion, the Australian batsmen meekly surrendered to the tune of a huge 231 runs at St. George’s Park on day four of the second test.

Cricket: Big Bash League: Sydney Sixers v Sydney Thunder Preview

Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers banner (Australia Free TV)

Now titled the “Sydney Smash”, Saturday’s game between the two rivals gets an extra boost, with both Steve Smith (Sydney Sixers) and David Warner (Sydney Thunder) released from Australian duties.

Cricket: The Ashes: Adelaide Day 1: the upper hand lies with England, just

Michael Clarke, not out after Day 1 (source: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

On a pitch that offered little to the bowlers and plenty to the batsmen, Australia won the toss, and to no surprise, elected to bat first on the first day of the Ashes test in Adelaide.

Cricket: The Ashes: England mesmerised by shining Australian outfit

The Australians celebrate their first test victory (Source: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

What was hyped as a dogged test match between two old enemies turned out to be the polar opposite; domination from Australia, and capitulation from England, on a terrific Gabba pitch.

Having come into the opening test with a batting line-up that had the critics wondering, Australia took the match by storm with an impressive 381 run win.

Cricket: The Ashes: Test 1, Day 1: It’s all England at the Gabba, but Australia fight back

Stuart Broad celebrates the dismissal of David Warner (source: ESPN Cricinfo/Getty Images)

The lead up to the first Ashes test included a lot of media hype from the Australians, trying to throw the English off guard.  Dramatic backfiring ensued on a very sunny first day.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, signs were looking good.  Then the inevitable happened, and the first two sessions belonged to the England bowlers.

Cricket: The Ashes: Fourth Test Breakdown

Michael Clarke walks off bowled by Stuart Broad (sourced from ESPN cricinfo)

What was there for the taking ended up in utter disaster at Durham on Monday, the fourth day of the fourth Ashes test.

Set a victory target of 299, Australia tumbled from 2-147, after the fall of Usman Khawaja, to 224 all out, losing to England by 74 runs.  A grim picture after giving themselves every chance to win their first test of the series.

Cricket: Lehmann the right man for the job – can he turn it around?

Darren Lehmann (image from Fox Sports)

Australian cricket is getting a makeover.  No, the logo has not changed.  Instead, the coach has.

Darren Lehmann was last Monday instated as the new national coach, replacing Mickey Arthur.  A good choice as a new coach? Certainly.  Under controversial circumstances?  Yes.