Leg Before Watson

It's not been a good time for Australian cricket on and off the field, or on twitter. Today's dose of hashtag intrigue emerged from the account of Steven Warner, brother of the exiled David Warner. The tweets - that were later disowned, and the account deleted - made some unflattering observations about Shane Watson, but the most interesting tweet suggested that Mickey Arthur had been made an 'escape goat' for all that had gone wrong with Australian cricket.

David Warner's brother = Suresh Raina's Nephew = Cricket Australia not from Lord's #Ashes

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) July 21, 2013

#EscapeGoat, n: A goat on which one escapes to South Africa to avoid being associated with the shambles of the Australian top order. #Ashes

— Bandon Decker (@Bandon_Decker) July 21, 2013

After Steve Waugh and Rodney Marsh on earlier days, it was now Glenn McGrath's turn to ring the bell to signal start of play at Lord's.

Really sadist stuff from England - get all of Australia's best players to ring the bell to more Aussie embarrassment,day after day #TheAshes

— Kallol Sarkar (@kaL0L) July 21, 2013

England chose to continue batting, evidently to give Joe Root enough time to get to 200. Jonny Bairstow couldn't stay in for long, and was out edging Ryan Harris behind.

Broad would have reviewed that Bairstow dismissal Not Out #ashes

— Richie Benaud (@RichieBenaud_) July 21, 2013

Root's anxiety to not hold up the game got the better of him, and he perished for 180 playing an uncharacteristic scoop shot.

There is no irony in the fact that both Warner and Root have punched out the same highest Test score of 180 #Ashes

— Richie Benaud (@RichieBenaud_) July 21, 2013

Lack of sportsmanship from Aus. Should have allowed him to get his 200.

— Not Mitch Johnson (@NotMitchJohnson) July 21, 2013

Root's innings was apt testament to the factory line of batting riches England have benefitted from recently.

I must say, very impressed with Root's innings. Looks a talent. What part of South Africa does he come from? #Ashes

— Phil Branagan (@philbranagan) July 21, 2013

Out came Australia, needing a monumental 583 runs to level the series. Shane Watson played a real-time replay of his first innings effort - drives, boundaries, blocks, and the inevitable plumb lbw. Except, this time he didn't review the decision.

Shane Watson out LBW. I'd pretend to be shocked and all.. #Ashes

— Jack Mitchell (@JackAttack_19) July 21, 2013

Why did Watson not use a review there?!?! It looked plumb #Ashes

— Jack Mills (@MillsJ29) July 21, 2013

LBW or Leg Before Watson as its commonly known these days. #Ashes

— Ray (@FatGumboJ) July 21, 2013

Chris Rogers was next out. Few dismissals can top the ignominy of missing a filthy full toss, and then not using DRS to overturn an obviously wrong lbw decision. Shouldering arms and getting bowled comes close.

At least it pitched, Buck.

— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) July 21, 2013

Agar still our top-scorer for the series so far. Unlikely to change. #Ashes

— Fake Nathan Hauritz (@FakeHauritz) July 21, 2013

Would Phil Hughes find a way past his problems against spin?

you know Phil Hughes means business when the short sleeves get a run! #Ashes #ReturnTheUrn #RISE #EngvAus

— Paul Cochrane (@iampaulcochrane) July 21, 2013

That's it, Hughesy, open the face. That's DEFINITELY the way forward.

— King Cricket (@TheKingsTweets) July 21, 2013

Maybe not then. Out for 1 off 21 balls, and another failed review on his way out.

@ajarrodkimber This is why Watson reviews. To save his teammates from making the same mistakes. What a hero.

— Dave Clarke 1-4 (@Athersstylist) July 21, 2013

Homework for Phil Hughes and Watson #theashes pic.twitter.com/mahlJ0AUXB

— SERG DERANG0 (@SERG1O_D) July 21, 2013

Meanwhile ...

#escapegoat is now trending in Australia https://t.co/giFpgT62Zv

— Trends Australia (@TrendsAustralia) July 21, 2013

With Australia's top order putting on such a sorry show, perhaps this match wasn't the perfect weekend fix.

Cold cider, blazing sunshine and 20/20 @SussexCCC best way to spend a Sunday afternoon #sharklove

— Julie Renaut (@Julieren) July 21, 2013

Those upset about the cricket! Switch to the golf and Adam Scott. Haven't we alway loved golf. I love golf. Golf!

— Andy Lee (@andy_lee) July 21, 2013

But things spiced up soon. One of Australia's challenges in this series was to find a way to tackle Graeme Swann. One of their players perhaps took it too literally.

Usman Khawaja just shoulder-charged Graeme Swann. I always liked this kid.

— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) July 21, 2013

Khawaja with the best hip and shoulder in cricket since Andrew Symonds landed one on the streaker

— Jordan Mc (@smokinjoemisiti) July 21, 2013

To be fair to Khawaja, it was clearly unintentional though it put Swann out of commission for a while. Khawaja and Michael Clarke began to resist with a defiant partnership. Both batsmen made 50s, before Australia's afternoon was ruined by the part-timer.

Root to Continue from the 'Nursery End'. #Awkward #Ashes

— Nafi Mohammed (@Nafi_Official) July 21, 2013

Root gets Clarke! He's like an all-round opening batsmen who doesn't spend all his time complaining and being LBW! #Ashes

— 51allout (@51allout) July 21, 2013

Punch David Warner. RT @ESPNcricinfo Root has a wicket now, Clarke caught at leg slip. Is there anything he can't do in this match? #Ashes

— Pramod (@Cric_Pramod) July 21, 2013

Australia had dominated the second session right up to the last 15 minutes, when they lost both set batsmen, and then Steven Smith. They rumbled along towards defeat after tea, with a close call accounting for Ashton Agar, and lack of reviews for Brad Haddin. Meanwhile, David Warner issued a statement through Cricket Australia stating that he didn't endorse his brother's thoughts on Shane Watson.

Think @cricketaus need some new PR people. Nobody cared about what Warner's brother thought until you told the whole world about it!

— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) July 21, 2013

Still waiting for a statement from @CricketAus's brother.

— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) July 21, 2013

England ran into stubborn resistance from the last-wicket pair of James Pattinson and Ryan Harris.

Alastair Cook missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime: nine slips vs Australia at Lord's!

— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) July 21, 2013

By the end of it, almost everyone was allowed to have a dig at the poor Australians.

"#Ashes #ReturnTheUrn" slightly optimistic with that hashtag chaps. If you fancy a competitive game we are only an hours flight from London

— Cricket Germany (@Cricket_Germany) July 21, 2013

Swann finished it off in the last possible over of play after the extra half an hour had been taken. England 2-0 up after two Ashes Tests for the first time in 35 years.

Awful loss, Twitter meltdowns, ex-coach suing you...Australia just a Rolf Harris revelation away from having their worst week in years.

— Alternative Cricket (@AltCricket) July 21, 2013

Everyone, can we help @CricketAus come up with a new #ashes hashtag? I rather liked, #remembertheurn? (Question mark optional)

— DECAshes (@DECAshes) July 21, 2013