Cook puts Aussie celebration on hold

Third Test, Perth (Day 3 - Stumps)

Australia 244 & 527-7 v England 215 & 265-5

Chris O'Keefe

Alastair Cook's first century against Australia means that the hosts celebrations will be frustrated for another day at least. He and Ian Bell shared a partnership of 170 to help keep in the tourists in the contest.

It was a much better performance as England played an assured role, although they were blighted by three wickets in the final session to put Australia within reach of the tale. Cook, whose only other score of note was at The Gabba. The omens, like that knock, is that it will end in defeat for England. However, it does leave an interesting quandry for the remaining batsmen.

Both Flintoff and Pietersen, not out 2 and 37 respectively overnight, will likely have to reign in their attacking instincts. There have been signs that Pietersen is capable of such feats. His 158 in Adelaide needed patience to play Shane Warne's line outside leg stump. Flintoff, on the other hand, has looked out of sorts in almost every innings so far.

Then again some things have to change. However, be assured if England do pull off the highly unlikely, it will be a feat that give them the kind of energy zapped from them in Adelaide on that Monday evening. But today was a force in the right direction, it seems too late!

Australian centuries leave England stirring down the barrel

Third Test, Perth (Day 3 - Stumps)
Australia 244 & 527-5 dec. v England 215 & 19-1

Chris O'Keefe

During the evening session when Mark Nicholas said that England's series was a story of "missed opportunities and mistakes", it looked like the England players in the field were hearing his every word. So taken aback by the onslaught of the Australian batsmen they must have been, it looked like an cricketing abattoir. However, again spurned moments might have made a better impact on the day's fare.

Both Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey should have been sent back comparatively cheaply and England were punished in the worst way possible. Hussey, who scored only his first century of the series today, gifted a rare opening. He skied a Steve Harmsion delivery and three England fielders headed off in pursuit.

Kevin Pietersen seemed favourite at square leg, but Geraint Jones called his own and failed miserably. It was an embarrassing note of England's day. Jones also missed a stumping by not cleanly taking a Panesar spinner, leaving Clarke out of his crease praying for a miracle, he got it.

Hussey was also dropped by Andrew Strauss during the new ball spell in the afternoon, off Matthew Hoggard's great ball. But now England were struggling for inspiration and worse to come, an out of form Gilchrist delivered a beating to English hearts.

The wicket-keeper's torrent of shots seen him hit 24 off one Monty Panesar over and raced to the second fastest century in Test history. He also hit a record number of sixes too. It was violent, yet silky clean hitting of a cricket ball that was an equivalent to booting a man when they're down.

England were gasping for air as they were given the opportunity to either bat two days, score an improbable 557 to win it or sacrifice the Ashes they had fought so hard for in 2005, at the earliest available moment. Ponting sent in the artillery to pose the question and, by a questionable decision to dismiss Andrew Strauss in the fourth ball of Brett Lee's over, they got a brief answer.

If England can come out the game with a remarkably faint Ashes hope in tact, they will have to go against the grain of everything they have done so far in this series. Dropped important catches, taking wickets and scoring runs against a Aussie attack that has only been tested once specifically.

England are not as far away from Australia as the scorecards say. They're just doing their best to make it look that way.

Panesar shines as Aussies flounder

Third Test, Perth (Day 1 - Stumps)
Australia 244 v England 51-2

Chris O'Keefe

Some critics will say Monty Panesar has come two tests too late to the Ashes battle. Panesar, now that he is finally in the thick of it, certainly didn't waste time in making incisions into the Australian line-up, just seven balls in fact. Eventually, both Panesar and England finally done what before seemed impossible, bowling Australia out, cheaply!

It was an important step taken today at the WACA. Steve Harmison lead the pace attack well, the spinner taking wickets and Australia struggling to score substantial runs for long periods of time, not something to associate with Adelaide, nor Brisbane.

Australia won the toss and chose to bat, looking to cement their iron grip on the series by attacking England new ball attack. Hayden paid the price for his adventure with his wicket, edging Matthew Hoggard to slip (24).

Then, an important breakthrough for England and a mental fillip for the under-fire Harmison, trapping Ricky Ponting in front for just 2. Although Australia weren't in dire straits at this moment, it was a foot in the door for Flintoff and his men that this time, they made the most of.

Panesar joined in before lunch to dismiss Justin Langer for 37. The Aussie opener misjudged the line to see his bails knocked off. The ball was rolling now and Australia needed a partnership. They got one after lunch, through Michael Clarke (37) and Mike Hussey (74 not out) putting 61 together before Clarke mistimed a shot straight back to Harmison for his second wicket.

Andrew Symonds, replacing the now retired Damien Martyn, hit a quick-fire 26, but also fell victim to England's man of the moment as he edged Panesar behind to Geraint Jones. Panesar also had Adam Gilchrist caught and Australia were now in trouble at 184-6.

The tail end tried to, in partnership with Hussey, rescue the hosts total but Harmison and Panesar continued their destruction and eventually wrapped up the innings on 244. England would face a tricky period but it was one that England could go into with their tails up.

Indeed the tourists reached 36 off just six overs before Australia struck back through Glenn McGrath. He got Cook to fish outside his off stump - similar to his Adelaide dismissal - before edging to Justin Langer.

Ian Bell was immediately dismissed by an absolute jaffer from Brett Lee, bounce and line did for the number three. Now England were being asked the questions. Was it normal service resumed? Not quite, but close!

Paul Collingwood was tormented by Stuart Clark as he found the edge, only to be dropped by Shane Warne. It was a break England needed and arguably deserved on the face of the days play.

Whilst Warne's drop catch wasn't quite as important as "dropping the Ashes" at The Oval, last year, England should still look to punish a rare mistake and try to manufacture a lead. The pitch, despite the excellent bowling will allow for runs and a lead of over a hundred is a distinct opportunity, if England played with the guile and discipline of the first two days of Adelaide. Of course if it's the final day batting that shows, then the chance is missed.

Taking chances makes all the difference

Second Test, Adelaide (Day 2 - Stumps)
England 551-6 dec. v Australia 312-5

By Chris O'Keefe

Ricky Ponting went on to make his second century of this series but he could, most certainly should, have been dismissed earlier in the day as England bowled with greater discipline, which deserved arguably better results.

The crucial moment came with Ponting on 35 as he pulled a Matthew Hoggard delivery to Deep Square Leg and the waiting hands of Ashley Giles. It looked pre-planned exercise but the execution wasn't. Giles got plenty of palm to the ball but dropped it. Had it been taken, the hosts would be 78-4 in the morning session and Michael Clarke would come in with Australia needing another 274 to avoid the follow on.

It was consummately punished and although yesterday's hero Paul Collingwood would have run out Ponting with a direct hit, the Aussie skipper scored 142 in fourth wicket stand of 192 alongside Mike Hussey. Ponting's 33rd test century now Australia's all time leading century maker, an astonishing feat.

But England should take heart from today's toils. On a feather bed pitch, Australia still trail by 239 runs and the remaining recognized batsmen are under pressure to perform, Adam Gilchrist and the young Clarke.

Anderson produced reverse swing early on in an otherwise fruitless day. Harmison found bounce and better line, so much better than at The Gabba. Hoggard took all four wickets in a display of patience and supreme ability. These factors (on this batting friendly pitch) should be looked at positively. The tourists are getting bowlers back into some sort of form.

Indeed had England made further incisions first up, people might have begun to ask what all the fuss was about the week before! The beauty of England's position is that more can go right than wrong at the moment. Although the best bet is a draw, such is the deficit, England can again attack, something they look better doing than trying to defend! Shane Warne might spin the ball but Australia will require something extraordinarily special to pull off a win from this position.

Collingwood double century strengthens English grip

Second Test, Adelaide (Day 2 - Stumps)
England 551-6 dec. v Australia 28-1

By Chris O'Keefe

If Marcus Trescothick hadn't suffered a recurrence of the stress related illness that prematurely ended his tour, the chances are that Paul Collingwood would not feature in the English batting order. As it is, he has made the greatest impact with the bat as England start to test the Australian juggernaut.

Only the juggernaut didn't really fire. Warne was bowling outside leg stump to Kevin Pietersen, who played patiently, as did Collingwood. In terms of being an eye-catching innings, it wasn't. However, Collingwood was assured, barely a sloppy shot throughout his knock and more importantly the Aussie's were scratching their heads as to how to get him out.

The cheer when Collingwood strode down the pitch to smash Michael Clarke down the pitch to reach 200 was immense. The travelling support was far more concentrated and more noticeable with it. Collingwood deserved the adulation and his place in the side averaging around 60 in 2006, remarkable for someone struggling to be selected.

Meanwhile at the other end, Pietersen scores another century (his sixth in 15 months) but more importantly made the great Shane Warne change his tactics, bowling outside leg stump. A defensive from the world's leading wicket-taker? Surely not. Well actually it probably an attempt to get Pietersen bowled around his pads, something KP didn't fall for that.

In the end it took a run-out after tea and Pietersen searching for a quick single, falling to a fantastic piece of fielding from Ricky Ponting. By then England were in command and looking to declare before having a go Australia's openers. Captain Flintoff and Ashley Giles took England to 551 before leaving nine overs of bowling.

Steve Harmison was overlooked for the new ball, the captain himself opening and make a great decision, removing Justin Langer (4) from a Pietersen catch. The response from the travelling support had echoes of Edgbaston in it as England fought back and left Australia chasing a huge total.

Admittedly two issues come to mind: the favourable batting conditions and England questionable ability to take 20 wickets. However, the mind changes proceedings. Flintoff and his men appear more confident and look like wanting to prove a point. They gave Australia a start in Brisbane before making in-roads, but this time getting Langer and 28-1 overnight, the hosts are on the back foot. If Harmison and Anderson can improve (a big if, till proven otherwise) then England will definitely be back in the larger contest with a vengeance!

Tail wag never enough to save England

First Test, Brisbane, result
Australia 602-9 & 202-1 dec v England 157 & 370
Australia win by 277 runs

By Chris O'Keefe

Kevin Pietersen may have had immeidate eyes on reaching a century and build a defence for England but that lasted just four balls as he held to short mid-wicket leaving England vulnerable. Australia took advantage and England floundered...again.

Geraint Jones fought hard for his 33 before dragging a Glenn McGrath onto his stumps. The tail wagged reasonably but Stuart Clark still managed to clean up and secure the win for the hosts within 21 overs of the morning's play. The tail's 77 runs was reasonable but in the face of relentless Australian attack, it was never going to be any better.

Now commentators out in Australia are suggesting a good result for England would be to get a draw from Adelaide to keep them in the series, a far cry from 14 months ago. Australia feel incredibly confident and their performance shows. Perhaps it is a good result whilst some of the rabble amongst the team remember they are playing at the highest level of the sport.

England can take heart from the fact that Shane Watson's absence will mean Australia can only field four front line bowlers, including the suspect heel of Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee who didn't have a wonderful test match (famous last words).

Australia take an early lead the five match series. The second test starts on Friday morning (01.30 UK) which could work either way for England. They can either repeat the dose of the Gabba (poor bowling and on the whole poor batting) or they take their anger out on Australia.

It may help them play with a purpose, something drastically lacking in Brisbane.

England going down fighting

First Test (Day 4 - Stumps)
Australia 602-9 dec & 202-1 dec v England 157 & 293-5

By Chris O'Keefe

England started the day staring down the barrel of defeat and finished the day in the same position, yet somewhere in between the visiting fans were hope by better batting (it couldn't have got any worse) from some of England's middle order.

However, the greater plus from England's perspective was how Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen were able to impose themselves on Australia's bowling without looking too troubled. Admittedly Glenn McGrath heel problem helped matters but confidence suddenly reached the tourists for the first time in the match. Now England looked more like the side of 2005.

Pietersen this time batted the situation with respect, taking time to settle at the crease before reaching 92 not out at the close. Collingwood after a nervy start finally looked like he belonged in an Ashes series, possibly to the surprise of the Australians.

Shane Warne once again proved a thorn in England's side with four of the Aussies' five wickets. However, his most notable contribution came when Kevin Pietsersen played the ball back to Warne. The spinner threw that ball at Pietersen who could only avoid a hit by using his bat. Needless to say he wasn't impressed and made sure Warne knew his disgruntlement, constantly chirping in his ear.

Fortunately for England his emotions didn't get the better of him as proceeded towards three figures. The same can't be said of Collingwood. Four short of century and the opposition wondering where the next wicket would appear, he danced down the pitch only to miss the spin of the ball and leave Gilchrist to seal the fate.

It may not be the case - given the selfless attitude of Collingwood towards his team- that he is upset with not hitting a century, he isn't vain enough for that. However, gifting Australia a lifeline could be the case.

Warne and company took full advantage by taking Andrew Flintoff miscuing a full toss down to an expectant Justin Langer on the boundary. Langer was celebrating before the ball reached his hands, probably knowing how important getting Flintoff early was to his side. Australia's decision to bat again looked odd but with a day to dismiss five they may feel easier than an hour earlier.

The problem now is that rain storms are now forecast for Brisbane. Whether that seriously eats into time needed to take wickets remains to be seen. England will now need Pietersen and wicketkeeper Geraint Jones to eat up the clock and pull off what still is a highly unlikely draw.

Ponting toying with hapless England

First Test (Day 2 - Stumps)
Australia 602-9 dec. & 181-1 England 157

By Chris O'Keefe

Australia's bowling hero Glenn McGrath backed the seemingly odd call by skipper Ricky Ponting not to make England follow on. As it is he and his fellow batsmen set about hurting the pride of England bowling attack by quickly reestablishing a lead of more than 600 runs.

Ponting may have taken an ingenious decision by at least giving his bowlers a rest. Imagine the attack now with the to put the feet up before resuming twisting the knife. McGrath himself will look to add to his six first innings wickets.

The Australian pacemen led the "Dad's Army" on a destructive rampage through an England that didn't live up to any reputation tagged before them. England crucial duo of Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff were dismissed cheaply and England were immediately in trouble. Australia bowled (again) consistently in the right area creating doubt in each batsmen. Indeed so good was the hosts' bowling performance that the most impotent offering came from Shane Warne.

This pitch will still play fairly well, even with the cracks. Many of the shots chosen by English victims were lightweight and asking for trouble. Pietersen's leave - whilst showing to missing off stump on replay - looked out at first glance and really was his own fault. Again, Flintoff - unlucky to fall to a no-ball played a feeble prod at the ball. It was neither here nor there and invited an edge.

That kind of shot making will need to be eradicated if England are to stand a cat in hells chance of surviving. However, Flintoff, Fletcher et al. will be able to shake off a heavy defeat here because they are made of sterner stuff than previous touring parties, so we hope at least! They never bowed to their opponents when they were getting beaten at Lord's and it is the first test match.

The problem is that it looks like a change in selection might be required. As a personal choice, Sajid Mahmood has to play at the expense of either James Anderson or Steve Harmison. He has taken wickets this year at test level and, even with a less bouncy Adelaide pitch to come, Mahmood may be more confident of his ability.

Panesar seems an obvious choice as a spinner. England made the mistake of trying to defend their batting with Giles but 25 runs or so isn't enough compared to a five wicket haul, which Monty is probably capable of. He will not fear the Aussies, certainly not. His first ball in Test Cricket left the great Tendulkar hitting air, a statement of who he is.

This sounds like a look forward to better times and an admission that this match is beyond saving but until ten wickets are taken they shouldn't be written. The problem here though is that England may have competed with those two players this test as opposed to being left on the boundary.

For now England's top six or seven with the bat now need to believe they can bat against this attack otherwise an exodus of players from Perth may need to happen.

Australia turn the screw with bat and ball

First Test (Day 2 – Stumps)
Australia 602-9 dec. England 53-3

England are definitely staring at defeat and, one or two exceptions, have only themselves to blame. They need phenomenal performances from their four remaining recognized batsmen just avoid the follow-on!

Glenn McGrath, revelling in the notion that he is too old to have a meaningful say in this series, dismissed both England’s openers cheaply in the evening session. Both played poor shots and gifted their wickets.

Strauss’s dismissal came off a mistimed hook which was well taken by Mike Hussey. Given the situation were England could only gain from keeping wickets in tact, a foolish error from an otherwise well regarded player.

England’s two other victims failed on footwork. Cook went one ball after Strauss edging to slip whilst caught in the crease, McGrath’s second wicket. Stuart Clark took the wicket of Paul Collingwood who was caught walking, an unsteady shot to cap an unsteady display over two days.

If you had only caught a glimpse of England’s total, you might be lead to believe that they’re playing on a bowlers’ paradise, far from it. Australia amassed (or were allowed to amass) a monumental total inside two days. Whilst the pitch has started to bear cracks in it, England should still trust the track and not let it detract from the bowlers they are facing.

Australia’s pacemen will put more balls in the “corridor of uncertainty” and as for Shane Warne, he has his own acre of uncertainty at the Gabba. No doubt England will need some luck as well as talent to survive the test.

Tomorrow’s Man

England – In this case men in the shape of messes Bell, Flintoff, Pietersen and Jones needing runs and plenty of them.

Australia – Shane Warne has largely been on the fringes of this game to date. Surely it can’t be too long before he spins England minds in torment.