Story England's 2010/11 Ashes Tour-ENG vs AUS - 1st Test - ENG 91/2 Lunch

[Chater1703]

Ashes Tour - ENG vs W.A End of 1st Session

England vs Western Australia Day 1 1st Session

England began their tour to retain the Ashes this morning against Western Australia. England won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch which look perfect for getting high scores on the board. The recent change in the schedule for these tour matches, with the two 3 day matches been changed to 4 days was proposed by the ECB to help get their batsmen and bowlers aclimatised to the Aussie pitches quicker. Their proposal was accepted as the Australian board of selecters also felt this would benefit any fringe player in the Australian squad to impress.

1st Session

England finished the 1st session on 95/2 after a 50 from Strauss and an unbeaten 34 from Cook. The session began brightly for both teams as both players with bat and ball were impressing.

Ryan Duffield was bowling nicely and economically to the opening batsmen. Duffield had 2 maidens in his opening 8 overs of the day, and while he wasn't troubling the batsmen, he wasn't letting them play their shots either. On the other hand, after Strauss had nicked one just in front of the slip, he started to play good aggressive batting.The England captain was looking in fine form as he reached his 50 off 75 balls, but fell soon after as he played an Adam Voges delivery onto his stumps.
This was a disappointment for the England captain as he had been looking comfortable at the crease, and looked as if he would reach his century later in the day. Allistair Cook also looked in fine form as he made an unbeaten 34 by the end of the session. Although Cook wasn't as aggresive as Strauss, he defended well and any delivery that was poor, he made sure it was sent to the boundary.

The only disappointment for a comfortable 1st session for England was the loss of Trott after only scoring 1. Shortly after coming in after Strauss, he nicked a delivery by Michael Hogan straight to Swart in the slips. Trott was clearly unhappy with himself as he marched back to the pavillion. With competition high in the England batting line up, the regulars should remember not to take it easy as if someone else impresses there position could be under threat. With openening batsmen/wicket keeper Craig Kieswetter and Eoin Morgan both in the squad, England have a fine selection of batsmen. Kevin Pietersen ended the session not out on 6.
​

Watch highlights of the 1st session here YouTube - England vs Western Australia--- 1st Sessions highlights

 

[AbhishekS]

Brilliant presentation of the scorecards here and awesome work on the video. Surely the best story going on these days.

Coming to the match, 95 in the first session is good, but England could have done better. Trott's failure would be a worry for the English team. Expecting KP to have a good one here.

 

[Chater1703]

Ashes Tour - ENG vs W.A End of 2nd Session

England vs Western Australia Day 1 2nd Session

117 Partnership Frustrates Western Australia

England 201/2 60.0 overs
Cook 88*
Pietersen 50*​

Alistair Cook and Kevin Pietersen's 117 run partnership frustrated the Western Australia bowlings in the 2nd session of Day 1. Resuming after the lunch break on 95/2 Cook and Pietersen scored 106 runs between them to leave leave England 201/2 at Tea. The session began brightly for Western Australia when in the 3rd ball of the 2nd over Kevin Pieterson played a mistimed shot, edging the ball towards the slips. Unfortunately for W.A, Swart couldn't keep a hold of the ball. After he already caught Trott in the slips, it had looked as if he would gain another catch, but he dropped what seemed an easier catch.

Pietersen went on to make Swart rue that catch as he stormed to his half century in 95 deliveries. While at one end Pietersen was showing how to bat aggressive, Cook at the other was showing his resilience as he batted sensibly, and only attacking the bad balls. Cook secured his 50 with a well run 2. Although Cook was playing defensive, his timing with the bat was impressive as he scored six 4's at the end of the session, including the shot of the day as he pulled a Hogan bouncer straight to the boundary for 4. After looking impressive in the Pakistan test series, where he averaged 64.5 in 4 tests, it appears Cook has continued his fine form, and at present looks a really danger for the Australians.

The Western Australian bowlers shouldn't be too down after the wicketless session, as they did cause the batsmen a few problems. Hogan was able to draw the edge from the impressive Cook late on, only for the ball to hit into the pads. Duffield again was able to restrict the batsmen from scoring as he had 0-44 in 17.0 overs. Athough he hasn't picked up a wicket he has got 3 maidens and is currently going for 2.59 per over, which is particular impressive. The spinners have turned the ball slightly but not as much as what is needed to trouble the batsmen.


​

Watch highlights of the 2nd session here YouTube - England vs Western Australia, Day 1, 2nd Session highlights

 

[Chater1703]

Ashes Tour - ENG vs W.A Day 1 Close ENG 291/7

England vs Western Australia Day 1 Close

Late England Collapse Gives Flower Headache​

England 291/7 90.0 overs
Cook 110
Pietersen 69

Andy Flower looked on yesterday as England reached 235/2 off the back of a brilliant 6 from Kevin Pietersen. With England completely dominating the first day so far, it looked as if their preparations had started as well as could be hoped. However, things soon changed as a flurry of wickets fell before the close of play leaving England on 291/7 with the unbeaten batsmen at the crease Chater (11) and Swann (2).

England had a taster of things to come early at the start of the session when Ryan Duffield caused Cook and Pietersen to edge the ball into the slip corden. Unfortunately for Duffield, the ball didn't quite carry on both occasions. The look of anguish on Duffield's face showed his disappointment as he had bowled both tight and accurate in his overs throughout the day. Just a few overs later Cook, who was on 98, again edged a Duffield delivery only to see the ball fly inches passed his stumps. This bit of fortune favoured the vice-captain who in the next over secured his Century with a quick single. The following two balls of the over showed the good and bad side of the English batting. The first of the two balls was sent over the boundary magnificently by Pietersen, with the bowler North just looking on. This appeared to signal that England were ready to push home their advantage and advance to a big score. However the next ball soon stopped that as Pietersen tried to knock the ball into the off-side for a quick single, but only succeeded in edging the ball behind to be caught brilliantly by Ronchi. This wicket signalled the start of an impressive bowling display (or poor batting display, however you would see it) as the next 4 wickets went for 41 runs.

Paul Collingwood joined Cook at the crease and soon showed his batting skills by hooking a shot to the boundary for 4. Collingwood who didn't have a successful summer needed to get some good batting under his belt. It wasn't long before the next England wicket fell with Cook trying to slog Beer to the boundary, only to find the safe hands of Marcus North. The England batsmen was obviously happy with his display but felt that he could have stayed in a bit longer. Despite scoring a boundary early on in his innings, Collingwood never looked comfortable as he played and missed often. In one over he edged the ball just short of the slip and got dropped attempting a big hit, it seemed he had luck on his side. However, just an over later he was finally dismissed as he attempted a risky single only to see the stumps shatter before he could make his ground. After going back into the pavillion for just 17 Collingwood knows he must do better when he gets another chance to stake his claim for a first team spot.

Prior was soon joining him back in the pavillion as he was dismissed for a 3 ball duck. He was caught brilliantly by a diving Swart catch as he edged behind a Ryan Duffield delivery. This was well deserved for Duffield who had work tirelessly during the day and now had something to show for his efforts. Ian Bell, England's last main batter was dismissed for just 8, again by Duffield, as he attempted to hook a bouncer by Duffield. He only succeeded in gloving the ball behind to the wicket keeper. With England now 276/7 young Stephen Chater was joined at the crease by Graeme Swann. Both has to fend off dangerous deliveries, with Chater having a run-out appeal against him, but both managed to get through to the end of the day without giving up their wicket.

​

Player of the Day
It has to go to Alistair Cook who batted a brilliant 110 before been dismissed. Cook looked in fine form.

Shot of the Day
Again it's Cook and his brilliant pull shot off Hogan straight to the boundary for 4.

Delivery of the Day
This would have to go to Ryan Duffield who's bouncer dismissed Bell early in his innings. He had set Bell up with full deliveries before lauching that bouncer.

Watch highlights of the 3rd Session hereYouTube - England vs Western Australia, Day 1, 3rd Session Highlights

Scorecards

 

[Chater1703]

Ashes Tour - ENG vs W.A Day 2, ENG 359/9 dec, End of England's Innings

England vs Western Australia Day 2 End of England Innings

England Declare on 359/9 on Day 2​

England 359/9
Cook 110
Pietersen 69

England began the day on 291/7 with Stephen Chater and Graeme Swann at the crease. As England's only noticable batsmen, it was expected that England would play out the morning session before thinking about declaring. As it was, both Swann and Chater were out just after the drinks break. The start of play began as what was expected with both Chater and Swann playing defensive shots and taking no chances with risky shots. The W.A captain however, was causing them problems. North's part-time spin was bamboozling both the batsmen at times with many shots attempted and missed. It was no shock that North had the first chance of the day, causing Swan to edge a ball behind, only to see it fly thorugh a gap in the field. North again caused problems not once, but twice in two balls. Both times the fielding side appealed for LBW only for the umpire to dismiss it. The umpire was right both times as replays showed the ball passing off-stump. North again had two more appeals for LBW turned down, with both been very close.

Stephen Chater had been looking good with Swann as they put on their 50 partnership, but Chater was soon gone. He was caught and bowled by Hogan for 36 runs of 90 balls. This was his highest score in first class cricket and it had looked that would get his first half century in first class cricket ttoo, but it was not to be. Swann batted well to get England to 359 before seeing his off-stump fly from a Ryan Duffield delivery. Swann left the field after scoring 38 off 72 deliveries. Duffield had played well throughout England's 1st innings and deserved his wickets. He finished with figures of 3-83 in 31.1 overs and looked good throughout.

England will look back on these innings as a missed opportunity for players to find their form. There were positives from the batting with Strauss, Cook, Pietersen, Swann and Chater all playing well. However, players such as Trott, Bell and Prior will have to preform well the next time they get to bat to secure their place in the team.​

Watch England Highlights hereYouTube - England vs Western Australia, Day 2, End of England innings highlights


Scorecards

 

[Chater1703]

Ashes Tour - ENG vs W.A Day 2, W.A 90 all-out, end of W.A Innings

England vs Western Australia Day 2 End of W.A Innings

England Profit From Poor Batting​

Western Australia 90 all-out
Swart 28
Ronchi 19

Any hopes that Western Australia may produce an upset in this tour seem well and truly over after a poor batting preformance. With England declaring just after drinks in the 1st session it seemed that Western Australia would score at least a total to make England bat again. However in the next 3 hours, W.A were reduced to just 80 all-out, this is not the first time this year that England have reduced a team to under 100 runs. A mixture of poor batting and good bowling was the difference in this innings with only 4 batsmen making it into double figures. It appeared at first that England wasn't to have much luck in the field as in the first 4 overs of the innings Robinson was both dropped and had an good LBW shout against him turned down. Finn was the unlucky bowler on both accounts. His brilliant delivery for the LBW shout seemed to be going passed off-stump before hitting the pitch and coming back into the batsmen. The umpire said not out, however Hawk Eye showed that it would have just hit the stumps. Robinson made no hurry in rubbing it in as he hit a boundary with Finn's last delivery of that over.

With just a couple of overs left before lunch, Strauss brought on Swann for a short spell. With having the impressive record of getting a wicket in his first over of a spell, it was no suprise as he forced Robinson into a poor shot only to be caught by Collingwood. This first wicket seemed to spell the beginning of the end for Western Australia as in the next over another bowler beginning his first spell picked up the wicket off Davis. Chater had shown that he had a knack to picking up wickets as he had Davis caught brilliantly by the diving Cook. This wicket brought in the W.A captain Marcus North and after lunch he showed his aggresive style to the match with a 4 of the first ball. If North's 4 was well timed then Swart's 4 wasn't. After trying to hit a high ball into the off-side he only suceeded in edge the ball way over Priors head behind the stumps for 4. Chater seemed less than impressed, but he was able to vent his anger into joy as he picked up the prize wicket of North. With England already having an LBW shout turned down, this time the umpire had no choice but to give it as it hit North in front of the stumps. With the captain gone cheaply for 15, Chater was able to again celebrate a wicket with Adam Voges lasting just two balls before edging to Trott. Chater had picked up 3 of the top 5 batsmen for W.A and was looking pleased. The next wicket to fall was Pombersbach for just 4. Steven Finn had looked impressive with the amount of bounce he was getting, and this wicket showed that as the ball bounced higher than Pombersbach was expecting and in trying to defend it, only suceeded in edging behind to Cook. Western Australia were at this point 52/5.

Swart had been living a dangerous live throughout the innings so far and his luck was shown after lunch once again as he both bowled and caught of no-balls. His partner at the crease, Ronchi, wasted no time in showing his shots as he scored a magnifcent 6 off Collingwood. Swart once more showed his luck as he was dropped by Collingwood an over later, much to the annoyance of the England captain. He was finally dismissed as he edged one ball too many to the slips and was caught by Cook off the bowling of Finn. Magoffin came in and was back out within 8 balls after been bowled by part-time medium pacer Collinwood. The next dismissal was one for the bloopers as Ronchi was run-out. However, it isn't clear quite what happened, with Ronchi standing outside the crease after seeing his shot edge behind, he was run-out as Anderson threw the ball to Prior and knocked the bails off. Bowlers Beer and Hogan went without troubling to the scores after been caught off the bowling of Anderson. With W.A not reaching the required runs to avoid the follow on, England forced them to bat again and will do so later in the day.​

Watch the Highlights of W.A 1st Innings here
Part1YouTube - England vs Western Australia, Day 2, W.A 1st innings part 1
Part2YouTube - England vs Western Australia, Day 2, W.A 1st Innings Part 2



Scorecards

 

[Chater1703]

Ashes Tour - ENG vs W.A Day 2, W.A 153/4 Close of Play

England vs Western Australia Day 2 Close

Robinson stuns England with Brilliant Batting​

Western Australia 2nd Innings 153/4
Robinson 99*
Pombersbach 18*

Wes Robinson produced a masterclass in batting for W.A 2nd Innings ending at the close of play on 99 not out. This 99 had come of just 114 balls as Robinson attacked each bowler and scored 54 of his runs off boundaries, which included twelve 4's and one 6. Despite England taking 4 wickets the day will surely go to Robinson with his fantanstic innings.

This could have been so different had he not been dropped early on. Both he and his opening partner Davis were dropped in the early stages of the innings as England looked to continue their momentum after dismissing W.A out for 90 earlier on. Davis did go for just 11 when he was caught by Strauss off Anderson with W.A on 41. Swart came in and on his 1st ball edged just in front of the slips, it appeared that W.A were going to be undone by England's bowlers once more. Swart was soon back into the pavillion as Anderson got his man. Trying to hit the ball over Pietersen, Swart only could find the palm of his hands. With the W.A captain North next into bat, the pressure was on him to secure a big total. However the Australian batsmen was dismissed for just 2 as he was caught by Cook off the bowling of Chater, W.A were 56/3 at this point and looked as if they would once more be dismissed for a low total.

The next wicket had a partnership for 54 runs but it was fair to say that Robinson was the main run scorer in it, as he blasted his way to his half century off just 56 balls. He then hit his first 6 of the match as he powerfully lofted the ball over the ropes. Western Australia were soon able to bring their 100 up but they lost another batsmen soon after as Voges was caught by Strauss off the bowling of the expensive Swann. Swann didn't have the best of days with the ball as he went for 33 runs off his 4 overs. With Robinson edging closer towards his century, his heart would have been in his mouth as when he was on 96, Finn appealed for what looked like a good LBW shout. After what seemed an age to the batsmen the Umpire shook his head and Hawk Eye confirmed he was correct. Robinson finished the day 99 not out with Pomberbach not out on 18. With Western Australia still 116 runs behind, they will be hoping that Robinson can get to his hundred and then push onto to a bigger score.

Englands bowlers didn't have the best off times against Robinson especially Swann. The best of the attack was James Anderson who finished with figures of 2-39 off 13.0 overs and could have finished with more wickets if luck had gone his way. The England camp will be hoping that they can get W.A out early as to get more rest before their next tour match.​

Watch Western Australia 2nd innings highlights here
Part 1YouTube - England vs Western Australia, Day 2, 3rd Session Highlights part 1
Part 2 YouTube - England vs Western Australia, Day 2, 3rd Session Highlights part 2

Scorecards

 

[Chater1703]

Ashes Tour - ENG vs W.A Day 3, England win by an Innings and 40 runs

England vs Western Australia Day 3 End of Match

England win by an Innings and 40 runs

England were able to wrap up a comfortable victory in their first match on tour early on day 3 despite a fantastic display of batting by Wes Robinson. With this tour been spelled as England's best chance at winning in Australia for 24 years, it was important for the England squad to get the confidence up in these warm up matches. Day 3 began with Pombersbach showing the same aggresion as he had done in the previous day by hitting a 4 of the first ball of the day. He then followed that up in the same over with a huge 6, as it looked like W.A could make England bat again. Wes Robinson had been left on 99 at the end of the day, so it was a delight for him and the W.A fans as he was able to finally get his 100 off just 115 balls. He celebrated his 100 by hitting another shot to boundary and looked well set to get a big 100. Unfortunately for him it was not to be, as he was gone not long after, by edging a Graeme Swann delivery to the keeper. Robinson's innings had been brilliant as he hit 13 fours and one 6 in his 106 run stand.

With Robinson gone it was hard to see wether W.A could push on but Ronchi soon answered that by hitting two 4's in his first couple of balls. Ronchi had played alright in the previous innings before getting out cheaply, so it was a hope for W.A that he could push on from before. Pombersbach was going nicely at the other end and had a bit of fortune when he was dropped on 33 by Prior, which was a difficult catch to make. He soon made England pay by hitting a 4 in the last ball of that over. W.A were able to get the 200 up just after lunch and this proved a landmark in itself as they were the first side in this season to score more than 200 passed England in a first class match. With Pombersbach continuing to put runs on the board he was starting to run out of partners as Ronchi was soon dismissed. After making 16 off 20 balls, he was caught by Strauss of the bowling of Chater. W.A were at this point 209/6 and were in danger of losing by an innings. Pombersbach was nearly dismissed by Swann as he appeared to be hit in front. The umpire said not out and Hawk Eye showed that the ball just marginly pitched outside leg stump.

Another drop catch by England led to Magoffin been let off, as he was dropped on 0. Chater seemed less than impressed as another chance to pick up a wicket was lost. Pombersbach was able to bring up his half century in just 69 balls and had really taken the attack to the bowlers. Although he was again running out of partners when Magoffin was next to go. Strauss was able to take his 4th catch of the match as Magoffn edged a Swann delivery and was dismissed for just 1. The tail enders had disapointed for W.A who if their tail enders were able to just stay in and support the main batsmen could have been able to make a bigger total. Duffield was the next to go as he was clean bowled by the impressive Anderson, the ball showed just a hint of reverse swing as the batsmen played all round it. With W.A 218/9 Pombersbach knew that he had to accelarate the score by playing some more big shots. He was able to hit a 6 and a 4 in one over, with his overall boundaries in the match been five 4's and two 6's. Michael Beer was the next to fall as he too was cleaned bowled by Anderson for a duck. Anderson finished the match with figures of 4-51 and was a constant threat to the batsmen. Pombersbach and W.A resilence was soon over as he was caught by Cook off the bowling of Finn. Pombersbach finished the match with 61 runs off 85 balls and England had won by an Innings and 40 runs.


The main positives to come from this match for England was Cook's fine form with his 110 knock as well as James Anderson's bowling which constantly threatened the batsmen as he finished with figures of 6-69. There were a few negatives from the match as the amount of dropped catches in the match isn't good enough when they play in the Test matches as well as some of the failures with the bat by important batsmen.​

Watch highlights of Day 3 Part 1YouTube - England vs Western Australia, Day 3, W.A 2nd Innings Part 1
Watch highlights of Day 3 Part 2YouTube - England vs Western Australia, Day 3, W.A 2nd Innings Part 2


Scorecards

 

[Chater1703]

Ashes Tour - Squads Announced for South Australia Match

England vs South Australia Preview, Teams Announced

England Name Team to Play South Australia


With the victory over Western Australia only a fews days ago, England go into this 2nd Tour matc in good spirits and hoping for a repeat preformance. With quite a few of England's main batsmen failure to score big runs against Western Australia, it was expected that there may have been one or two changes. However it seems that the selectors are sticking with same line up and hoping they get into form. With Bell, Trott, Collinwood and Prior not doing as well as what was expected, it was thought that Eoin Morgan would get his first match on tour with England. After impressing against Bangladesh in the test series, Morgan was slightly disappointing vs Pakistan and it seems that the match vs Australia A will be the last chance for him to stake his claim in tthe team for the first test.

The unchanged line-up for England is regarded as what will be the team to face Australia in the first Test in Brisbane, and it's clear the selectors want to give the team enough time as possible to get into good knick. After been quizzed on wether this would be his starting line up for the first Ashes test, Strauss responded " Well, I think it would be too soon to say that this is our exact team as the match is still 2 weeks away and alot of things can happen in 2 weeks. Players can show what they can do and I think it would be unfair to go into the series saying this is our stonewall team."

When asked if the previous one-day series vs Australia held any clue to how this series would pan out, Strauss responded in a positive manner. " There is obviously a big difference between ODI and Test matches so to look back at the previous series and say that this shows Australia are stronger than us doesn't give the right impression. In 2009 we regained the Ashes from Australia after losing 5-0 in the previous Ashes series, so as you can see, previous series mean nothing as it is all about the present and at present the series hasn't started."
​

England team to face South Australia

Strauss (c)
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Prior (wk)
Chater
Swann
Finn
Anderson

South Australia team to face England

Smith
Harris
Klinger (c)
Ferguson
Blizzard
Manou (wk)
O'Brien
Lang
Haberfield
Edmondson
George

 

[Dutchmen]

lol! that 90 all out in the first innings was rediculous. They should have done better because their stuggled to get of to a decent start and either in the second innings - just didn't managed to put up a lead. but bro this story is really excellent don't worry about the comment, keep your self cool and take your time in upgrading. keep well!

 

[Chater1703]

Ashes Tour - ENG vs S.A, Day 1, Eng 1st Innings, End of 1st Session

England vs South Australia Day 1 1st Session

Even session on Day 1 of tour match vs South Australia​

England 100/3

Pietersen 51*
Strauss 37

England went to lunch on day 1 at 100/3 in a very even 1st session. After been put into bat England would have been hoping to give enough time at the crease for players who looked rusty and out of touch. One player who is looking in a very unsettling position at the moment is Jonathon Trott, who after scoring just 1 last match, went for a golden duck in this one. With players like Morgan and Kieswetter breathing down his neck, the pressure is on for Trott to get himself out of this blip and quickly.

The day began with Cook, who played magnificently in the last match with 110, been dismissed for just 8. The impressive Peter George forced the English vice-captain to edge one into the slips corden for Harris to take an easy catch. This meant that the under-pressure Trott walked to the crease, and was soon back off it again. He faced just one ball before been given out LBW, and if he didn't feel under pressure before this match, he will now. In defence of Trott the ball did swing late to catch him out, and it was a fantastic delivery by George who was denied a hat-trick by Kevin Pietersen. With England 16/2 in the opening 7 overs, it was up to Strauss and Pietersen to lead the recover. Pietersen showed his natural aggresive stroke play as he bombarded the boundary ropes, while Strauss was also playing some good shots. Strauss was fortunate to stay at the crease as he was dropped and responded by hammering two identical pull shots to the ropes.

The England captain was enjoying himself at the crease and had looked in good form in these two matches so far. If England are to retain the Ashes then they know that the Captain himself need to preform, and preform well. The South Australia bowlers were having no luck in dimissing the two batsmen with bad deliveries been constanly hit to the ropes and even most of the good deliveries didn't give them any joy. Peter George bowled 8 consectutive overs in the morning spell and looked good throughout. As he had picked up the early wickets of Cook and Trott, the board of selectors will be closely looking at the fast bowler who made his test debut in India this year. The England captains joy was soon over as he was bowled by Edmondson for 37, with Strauss just arriving late to a quicker ball and seeing it go through to the stumps. Pietersen was soon able to get his 50 just before lunch and in just 73 balls. The innings from Pietersen had so far been an aggresive one as he scored 6 fours and had a strike rate of 67.

So the 1st session was well fought between both sides and was very evenly matched. With England getting 100 on the board they will be expecting to push on to a big total whereas South Australia know that they have already took 3 England wickets and a couple of early strikes in the 2nd session would swing the game in their favour​

Watch highlights of the 1st session here YouTube - England vs South Australia Day 1 Eng 1st Innings, 1st Session



Scorecards

 

[Smith5619]

Pietersen is the key here, needs to score a 100. Trott needs all the opportunites he can get to to find some form. Nice story

 

[Chater1703]

Ashes Tour - ENG vs S.A, Day 1, Eng 1st Innings, End of 2nd Session

England vs South Australia Day1 2nd Session

South Australia take control of Match in 2nd Session​

England 208/7

Pietersen 90
Strauss 37

England find themselves in trouble at the end of the 2nd session, after losing 4 wickets including Kevin Pietersen who went just short of his 100. After the 1st session was an even battle, the impetous was with England to push on a score big, who still had Pietersen and Collingwood at the crease. Unfortunately for England Collingwood didn't stay at the crease for too long and was soon back in the pavillion for just 1. He was undone by some fine bowling by spinner O'Brien who looked in fantastic form throughout the day as he edged a ball into the slip to be caught by Smith. It wasn't long before the O'Brien- Smith combination took another wicket. This time it was Ian Bell who was the unfortunate batsmen on the end of it, as Bell edged a ball straight to Smith once more. This left England 123/5 and only Pietersen seemed to be able to read the spin of O'Brien.

Pietersen continued his batting in his aggresive manner and was hitting 4's to whichever part of the ground he wanted, but just as he seemed to get his century he was out LBW to Edmondson for 90. This was both disappointing for the batsmen himself and England as they had lost their main batsmen and were 174/6. Prior and Chater were able to put on 33 for the next wicket before Chater fell just before tea on 22. He was dismissed by Haberfield after trying to pull a shot to the boundary but instead edging the ball behind to the keeper. This was not the best end of a disappointing session for England as Prior (24) and Swann (1) were the batsmen left unbeaten at Tea.

As much as poor batting had led to England's lowly score so far, the brilliant bowling of O'Brien certainly helped. His first spell ended with him bowling 9 overs, 2 Maidens,12 runs and 2 wickets with his economy been 1.33. O'Brien had constantly put England under pressure in this spell, not allowing them to score and causing enough threat to take wickets. If the main bowling figure in the 1st session was George, then O'Brien was definitely the main bowler in the 2nd session​

Watch highlights of 2nd session here YouTube - England vs South Australia Day 1 2nd Session


Scorecards

 

[6ry4nj]

Australia's Xpin Xavier (er, I mean, Spin Saviour)

As much as poor batting had led to England's lowly score so far, the brilliant bowling of O'Brien certainly helped. His first spell ended with him bowling 9 overs, 2 Maidens,12 runs and 2 wickets with his economy been 1.33. O'Brien had constantly put England under pressure in this spell, not allowing them to score and causing enough threat to take wickets.

He's in the Test team for sure

 

[Gaurav_7]

Your writing is very good no doubt. For the graphics part, you can improve those scorecards a great deal. Logos can be positioned (proportion) well to make it look more attractive.

One more thing you can do is not attach the images here on PC, instead upload them on sites like photobucket, imageshack, etc. And, please save those scorecards in jpg format so that it doesn't take forever to load for those who have slow connections.