I'm re-starting, the whole series, on 5 star to make it more realistic.
First test starting shortly.
Jakester1288 added 18 Minutes and 40 Seconds later...
First test, live from the Gabba!
Jake McDonald: Hello and welcome to the Gabba, where Australia and England, the old rivals are continuing their battles and another great contest should unfold over the next 5 days.
Nathan Spinks with the pitch report: Great pitch for batting here, Hard pitch, sunny day, dry outfield and very hot weather. I'd be batting first if I won this toss.
The team sheets are in. They are as follows:
Australia:
1. M. Hayden
2. P. Jaques
3. R. Ponting (c)
4. M. Hussey
5. M. Clarke
6. A. Symonds
7. B. Haddin (wk)
8. N. Hauritz
9. B. Lee
10. S. Clark
11. B. Hilfenhaus
England:
1. A. Strauss
2. M. Trescothic
3. M. Vaughan (c)
4. I. Bell
5. K. Pietersen
6. A. Flintoff
7. G. Jones
8. A. Giles
9. L. Plunkett
10. M. Hoggard
11. S. Harmison
Toss: Australia have won the toss and have elected to bat. They will be looking for a positive start and set the mood for the tour. I'm Jake McDonald and I'm your commentator here to take you through the first day.
Jakester1288 added 6 Minutes and 52 Seconds later...
Wow, what a start to a test match! Harmison's first 2 balls were no balls, the second of which was dropped by second slip of Matthew Hayden. If that was not enough, the second legal delivery was dropped by first slip. 2 balls later Hayden was hit on the body again and picked up 2 runs to fine leg.
Harmison proving he is one of the most intimidating bowlers in world cricket, and Hayden is lucky to be alive let alone still at the crease!
0/4 off 1 over
Hayden 0*
Jaques 0*
Jakester1288 added 24 Minutes and 12 Seconds later...
Jake McDonald: Lovely start to the test match for Australia. Apart from the shakey first over, it's been great batting, and Australia have forced their way to 0/42 after 10 overs. Hayden is 16* and Jaques 14*, and a solid foundation has been built. If Australia can build on this, they can post 400+ and bat England out of the match and set the tone for the series.
Nathan Spinks: An interesting fact here, every single run that has come of the bat has been to the leg side. The pom's bowlers are putting it on the batsmens legs more often then not, and are being punished for it.
There have also been 12 extras in the first 10 overs of play. England need to lift their bowling performance if they are any chance of winning this test match.
Jakester1288 added 8 Minutes and 13 Seconds later...
10.5 - Harmison to Jaques - No ball - Jaques goes for the slog over cover and gets caught at point. Shame it was another no ball.
Jakester1288 added 48 Minutes and 34 Seconds later...
17.5 - Plunkett to Hayden -
OUT! Plunkett swings one back from off to leg and traps him in front, plum pudding there, and Australia are 1/94.
Hayden trudges off the Gabba, after failing to convert his start into a big score.
Jakester1288 added 10 Minutes and 38 Seconds later...
21.4 - Pluntkett to Jaques -
OUT! Tossed right up there, Jaques was nearing his half century and couldn't resist. He drove, but got an outside edge to slips. Australia have has a collapse of sorts, from 0/94 to 2/119. Hussey and Ponting need to rebuild from here. Very good bowling from Plunkett as well, apart from being carted by the batsmen, he has really stepped up and dismissed both the Australian openers. He currently has figures of 4.4 - 0 - 36 - 2.
Jaques snicks it through to the slips.
Jakester1288 added 11 Minutes and 29 Seconds later...
24.2 - Hoggard to Ponting -
OUT! Hoggard pitches it up and encourages the drive and the Australian captain sticks the bat out, and gets the edge. England have the upper hand in this match at the moment, and another quick wicket before lunch will have them in the best possible position. Australia 3/130.
Ponting walking back to the pavilion.