1st Test: Australia v England at The Gabba, Brisbane, 21-25 Nov

[aussie1st]

Geez have to wonder on Watson, if we had a batsmen to replace him with he would so be out. Faulkner I guess could be one just need someone to bat 3.

 

[Spickery]

The Australian batsmen are now making the most out of their time in the middle. David Warner and Michael Clarke both making centuries helps really punish England. George Bailey is also quietly making runs. Even though he has hit two sixes and a four I think he can bat even better once he is more confident, which allow him to settle at the crease. He was a bit scratchy against the spinners but he is improving the more he bats.

Australia should look to have a quick blast after tea with the bat to get the lead up to 500. Then the bowlers can go all out and look to take some early wickets before the end of the day.

 

[aussie1st]

Wasn't the best way to get out by Bailey. I do hope these runs give him confidence as the batsmen cupboard is still very bare.

 

[Spickery]

Where did all those England supporters go?

 

[Umair7]

They are gone but never forgotten ^

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

I am so glad this test has panned out this way because on paper I gave this australia team very little hope of challenging. Batting wise I'm still slightly worried where the runs will come from over 5 tests as I can't see smith, watson or bailey making big contributions, but with a bit of confidence under their belt who knows? maybe those guys, and johnson and haddin, can chip in some big 50s at the right time. reckon australia will lose tests over the series but if their bowlers continue to bowl this well they will win others as well. the series needed a start like this.

 

[Owzat]

Where did all those England supporters go?

To bed, genius You do know that it's about midnight here when play commences?!? Some might stay up, but stay up, watch AND post on here is expecting a bit much

Very poor from England, think the aussies missed a trick by not declaring a little bit sooner though. Still I think the game will be over by close of play tomorrow, no way were England going to score 500+ , probably not even make 400, and while some will 'think' that a psychological win of piling on the runs will somehow help, it won't.

Trott is in trouble, he needs to spend the time between tomorrow and the next Test working on his technique against lefties in particular. England need to find some mental toughness, if the aussies had declared sooner they could have had England 3-4 down overnight

England drew here last time around, only made 260 1st innings but declared past 500 for the draw. That makes their last three 1st innings at Brisbane 136, 260 and 157. Funnily enough before England came to grips with the Ashes and started beating the aussies they were making 300+ at Brisbane, you'd have to go back to 94/95 for the previous bad innings (167)


As I said previously, England need to grind their way to 300+ and look to win the toss at Adelaide. I'd almost have been tempted to get Broad and Anderson (to limp) off the field of play and let Root, Carberry, Tremlett and Swann bowl to the aussies since this game was over.

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I am so glad this test has panned out this way because on paper I gave this australia team very little hope of challenging. Batting wise I'm still slightly worried where the runs will come from over 5 tests as I can't see smith, watson or bailey making big contributions, but with a bit of confidence under their belt who knows? maybe those guys, and johnson and haddin, can chip in some big 50s at the right time. reckon australia will lose tests over the series but if their bowlers continue to bowl this well they will win others as well. the series needed a start like this.

I reckon the worst thing for this series would have been England thrashing the aussies for sure. If England batting finds some steel then it could be a gripping series, but one sided contests like these are tedious regardless which side is way on top.

How did England feel re the amount of warm up games? Something that has often been a bone of contention, the batsmen filled their boots and then the runs dried up when it came to the real thing................

 

[Spickery]

To bed, genius You do know that it's about midnight here when play commences?!? Some might stay up, but stay up, watch AND post on here is expecting a bit much

I know people in England have to stay up to watch the Ashes but it was the same deal for Australians when the Ashes were held in England. If you compared how many Australian posters posted late at night in the England Ashes Series and how many England supporters posted late at night in this series, Australia would come out on top. Looks like England supporters go missing once their team is struggling.

 

[IceAgeComing]

Its uni essay writing/exam time; so I can't really afford to stay up through the night to watch it...

I might watch more of the Boxing Day Test; but I can't much before then...

 

[MUFC1987]

Meh, not the best of matches for England to say the least. Important to remember that it's a 5 Test series though, even if Warner is enjoying being on top with his comments to the press.

The main worries for me is that Tremlett picked up some cheap wickets and Trott keeps on getting out in the same way. He needs to sort that if we're to win this series.

 

[Haarithan]

Anyone else observed how England haven't won a first test of an AWAY series for like ever? When did it last happen? 2005?

Regarding Trott, as Michael Vaughan said on twitter, that was as bad an innings there ever was from a #3 batsman..

 

[MUFC1987]

I don't know, Vaughan himself was pretty bad during those 2005 Ashes at times.

 

[War]

Anyone else observed how England haven't won a first test of an AWAY series for like ever? When did it last happen? 2005?

Technically according the last away 1st test win would be in BANG 2010. But vs a top nation, you would have to go back to the 2004/05 tour of S Africa.

ENG have been getting away with it & been able to win/draw a good few away series after those bad starts, but its an alarming trait.

 

[MUFC1987]

All this talk of short pitched bowling and it just strikes me that no one seems willing to just wear it any more. You see guys getting into all sorts of tangles just fending off good deliveries and getting out, because they're seemingly afraid of just getting the hands down and taking it on the body.

Ducking or playing it is all well and good, but there comes times when they realise it's too late to duck and just jab the bat at it, which is exactly what a bowler wants.

 

[SpitfiresKent]

I really hope I don't put a curse on England here but things are looking really comfortable and for some reason I think we can win this.

It just all depends on Cook & Bell putting on a HUGE partnership.