For the past decade, bowling with the new ball against Australia must have seemed like getting into the ring against Muhammad Ali and George Foreman for a handicap bout.
Justin Langer, the nuggety opening batsman, was the Ali, floating at the crease and giving nightmares to the likes of Shoaib Akhtar with his crisp cut shots and fluent drives; Matthew Hayden, his strapping opening partner, was the Foreman, burly and audacious, and aptly described as an opening batsman with a fast bowler's temperament.
Langer and Hayden opened together for Australia in 113 innings and scored 5,655 runs alongside each other, which is the second-best aggregate for an opening pair behind the West Indies vaunted pair of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes who made 6,482 runs between them.
The last time they batted together, three years ago, Australia blitzed to their first 5-0 whitewash in Ashes history since 1921. Langer and Hayden scored 272 runs together in that romp, yet, on the face of it, Australia's current openers seems to be performing better with 200 runs for the opening wicket from the first three Tests.
Most of those runs have, however, come from the blade of Shane Watson (293). Simon Katich managed 97 runs from four innings in Brisbane and Adelaide, while Phillip Hughes had scores of two and 12 at Perth.
Langer, Australia's batting coach now, is working hard with Hughes to get the southpaw out of his slump and iron out a few technical flaws, but his bigger worry could be the team's fragile middle-order, bar the prolific Michael Hussey.
Ricky Ponting, the captain, has scored 83 runs (10 and 51; 0 and nine; 12 and one) in six innings, while his deputy, Michael Clarke, has performed only slightly better with 115 (nine; two and 80; four and 20).
There has not been a single three-figure score from Australia's top-four; Watson's 95 in the second innings of the third Test is the closest to the mark. By contrast, each of England's top four have scored a century, with opener Alastair Cook getting two, including a double.
The aggregate for England's top four stands at 1,223 runs, which is more than double of Australia's corresponding figures: 602. And yet, the series is level at 1-1.
The home fans have Hussey to thank for that. Batting from No 5, usually with the tail, he has managed to score 517 runs at an average of 103. The 35-year-old has become the first batsman to record six successive Ashes fifties.
The tragedy for England is, he might not have made the Ashes squad after a string of failures, but for a career-saving 118 in a domestic match just before the Australia squad was announced. He sealed his place with a 195 in the first Test and has been "batting like Brian Lara", in Langer's words, since.
"If you want to know how to bat, watch him bat in this innings [his 116 in the second innings at Perth]," said Geoffrey Boycott, the former England opener and now forthright commentator.
Hussey's "magnificent" form has left England pondering. Pundits have been musing on different ways, while headlines like 'How do you get Mike Hussey out' have dominated their sport pages.
Finding an answer to that will surely determine England's quest for Ashes glory. For the rest, their plans have been working to perfection. Clarke has been getting no room to drive, Hughes has been waiting for short deliveries that never arrive and Ponting, top-scorer in 2007 series with 576 runs, looks desperately out of form. Reflexes are deserting him and to add to his woes, he has a broken finger now, which despite all the bluster and bravado, will hinder his performance in the middle.
Ponting is not the same man who batted with a bloodied cheek in the Ashes of 2005 and Steve Smith, batting at No 6, looks out of his depth.
The last time England were at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Andrew Symonds came in at the fall of the fourth wicket and he rescued the hosts from a wobbly 84 for five with his maiden Test century.
He will be out somewhere in the sea, indulging in his passion for fishing, when the Boxing Day Test starts in front of record crowds tomorrow. No one from England will be missing him. Another 35-year-old Aussie has been enough of a menace for them.
arizvi@thenational.ae
Scoreline
Arsenal 0 Manchester City 3
- Agüero 18'
- Kompany 58'
- Silva 65'
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
RESULT
Wolves 1 (Traore 67')
Tottenham 2 (Moura 8', Vertonghen 90 1')
Man of the Match: Adama Traore (Wolves)
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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THREE
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
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Results
5pm: Reem Island – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Farasah, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi
5.30pm: Sir Baniyas Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: SSR Ghazwan, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Astral Del Sol, Sean Kirrane, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Al Maryah Island – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Toumadher, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar
7pm: Yas Island – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Saadiyat Island – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,400m; Winner: Celestial Spheres, Gary Sanchez, Ismail Mohammed
Schedule
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
