Greatest start to a Test ever!
December 3rd 2010 11:16
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
Given the time difference between Australia and England, I once again had a big decision last night, whether or not to stay up and watch some of the cricket. I stayed up till 2.30 AM for the first day of the first test, just to see Strauss removed third ball. Last night I decided to give it another go, and what a decision that was!
After two overs, at a time barely past my usual bedtime, Australia were three wickets down! After Ponting won the toss and chose to bat, Watson and Katich made their way to the crease, on a good looking Adelaide pitch. Katich didn't get chance to try out the pitch though, run out before he faced a ball, a great bit of fielding from Jonathan Trott accounting for his wicket.
Skipper Ricky Ponting was next in, and did little better than Katich. A nick to slip off a fantastic full delivery from Jimmy Anderson, and Ponting was gone for a golden duck, 0-2. Like most England fans I'm sure, I couldn't believe what I was seeing, surely it couldn't get any better? After nervously tucking away a couple of singles to get the score board going, Michael Clarke clipped Anderson to slip as well, and Australia were 2-3. I had witnessed undoubtedly, the best start to a test match, from an England perspective, ever!
Of course, being Australia, the fight back came. Shane Watson and Mike Hussey some how survived the barrage which came, from an England side very much with their tails up. But once they were settled, the hosts made it to lunch at 94-3. Anderson took Watson for 51 shortly after lunch, but as Australia battled to 156-4, it was pretty even, after that shocking start.
After Steven Finn got rid of a poor looking Marcus North, Hussey continued the fightback for Australia, joined by Brad Haddin. These two put on 307 for the sixth wicket in Brisbane, and Strauss and his boys could well have been panicking, as the partnership reached 50. But it was then up to Graeme Swann, to swing the match England's way again.
He managed to get Hussey, caught by Collingwood, for 93, and followed that by trapping Harris golden duck next ball. Anderson and Broad took a wicket each as the tourists mopped up the tail, bowling Australia out for 245. On a decent looking pitch, it was a fantastic bowling effort from England. From 2-3, the Aussies recovered pretty well, but after Hussey, Haddin and Watson passed fifty, England will be relieved to still be in a great position.
Strauss and Cook had one over to negotiate before the close, which they did, scoring one run. So England resume tomorrow, 244 runs behind, and will be looking to catch the Australia total without losing too many wickets, allowing them to build a lead on Day 3. A great day for England cricket, and a stunning first fifteen minutes.
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