All square after First Test
November 30th 2010 19:01
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
Cook's unbeaten 235 helped England to a draw
Brisbane saw an enthralling first test of this Ashes series, which ended in a draw, meaning England and Australia head to Adelaide with the series tied at 0-0. The fact that the final day saw England the more likely winners, capped a phenomenal turn around, as records tumbled in England's epic second innings effort.
That was a long way away from the first innings collapse which saw England bowled out for 260. After Cook and Bell both made half centuries, a Peter Siddle hat trick on his birthday, saw the Aussies take the upper hand in the opening test at the Gabba. Siddle ended the innings with impressive figures of 6-54, as the tourist's final six wickets fell for just 61 runs.
There seemed only one possible outcome for the test after the host's made a mammoth first innings 481. This was despite being 143-5, and losing the last five wickets for just 31 runs. A record sixth wicket stand of 307 between Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin, put Australia hugely on the front foot, with England staring down the barrel of having to bat out the remaining seven sessions for the draw. The fluent Hussey made 195, and wicket keeper Haddin scored 136. Surely Australia could push for the ten wickets they needed, with over two days of play to go. One positive for England, was bowler Steven Finn taking 6-125 on his Ashes debut.
Finn took 6-125 on his Ashes debut
Having made it through a tricky 15 over spell at the end of day three, England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook came out on day 4, with the score at 19-0, still 202 runs behind. It was an absolute must for the tourists to have a big opening partnership if they were going to stand any chance of getting the draw. So, when both of the openers reached three figures, it was just what the doctor ordered.
On an unbelievable day of cricket, England lost just one wicket, ending the day 309-1. Skipper Strauss made 110, while Cook finished the day unbeaten on 135. Number 3 Jonathan Trott was also settling in for a long stay at the crease, finishing day four on 54 not out.
If day four was a good day for English batsmen, then I don't know any words to describe day five. The second wicket partnership reached 329, with Trott ending up 135 not out when England declared. Having been out of form for so long, Cook followed up his first innings 67, with a first ever test double century. Strauss called for the declaration with the score at 517-1, Cook not out on 235. Had this total been in the first innings, who knows what score Cook, and England, could have reached.
With just a session to go, the draw was now inevitable. When Australia lost Katich to stumble to 5-1, they must have feared a dramatic collapse. But a quick fire half century from captain Ricky Ponting wrapped up the draw. With both sides showing great resilience and skill in the first test, the rest of the series is definitely set up well. Given Australia's record at the Gabba, England would have definitely taken a draw before the match began, and will now be full of confidence going into the second test.
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