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.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
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.
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.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
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 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.
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.
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