England vs. Australia Ashes 2013: Top Early Performers in Fourth Test at Durham

Yet again DRS is one of the main talking points.

But whilst hot spot may have the attention there’s still an intriguing cricket Test occurring. And three players who have remained in the shadows up to now have really shone. 

And here they are...

 

Nathan Lyon (Australia)

In a bizarre twist on Friday afternoon spinner Lyon took four wickets despite his deliveries barely turning.

The Aussies didn’t care though as he saw off the hosts’ third, fourth, fifth and sixth batsman with ease. Whilst poor shot selection contributed to his impressive wicket collection Lyon must be commended for continuing to go at Kevin Pietersen even when being sent for boundaries—his persistence eventually paying off with a wicket.

Lyon’s addition to the opening two Tests probably wouldn’t have changed the series outcome, but his arrival has made a change from the regular Graeme Swann off-spin headlines.

 

Stuart Broad (England)

It doesn’t matter how well he plays in the rest of the series, Broad will be defined by that well-debated edge in the first Test and his refusal to budge from the crease.

Putting that aside though, the bowler finally led the England attack on day two of the fourth Test and claimed three big wickets before lunch at Chester-le-Street.

In that trio was the man Australia pinned much of their hopes on, David Warner, but Broad clean bowled him to spark a mini tourist collapse.

It helped excuse Broad’s own dreadful dismissal on Friday, when he inexplicably gifted a catch to Warner, and can only serve to rebuild his reputation after a tricky few weeks for the Nottinghamshire man.

Chris Rogers (Australia)

Rogers shone on the second day by constructing a patient half-century whilst those around him lost their cool.

He was fortunate to survive a DRS technicality before lunch and was dropped by Swann when poised on 49, but on a demanding wicket he was patient and generally sensible to keep Australia in the fourth Test.

Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott also demonstrated how to play on the wicket by not rushing and building a steady total, but Rogers name deserves a mention after being an inconspicuous member of the Aussie squad until now.