Nov 25-29: 1st Test: Australia v England at Brisbane

[pcfan123]

Doing my rain dance

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Really disappointed by the scorecard. I saw the morning session and England were bowling excellently. It's unfortunate because they should have had a couple of wickets early on, but clearly just took their foot off the pedal.

 

[Sureshot]

Finn could go onto become something very special if he cuts out the four ball he bowls every other over. Makes him leak a hell of alot of runs when the ball isn't doing much.

At 21 he's bound to bowl a four ball every now and then. He's impressed me ever since he came in to the side.

 

[darthlewis1]

I've never been so fustrated in a long time, The partnership between Hussey and haddin seemed to go on forever. I've only got hope for England because of the 6th wicket partnership for Australia, If Australia can score 400+, so can England.

 

[Themer]

If Australia can score 400+, so can England.

England can certainly do it but if an Aussie bowler manages to get close to recreating what Siddle did then we're not realistically going to get there. Infact I'd go as far as saying Australia would need to bowl poorly for England to get up there as England showed that there is something in the pitch; in the first session England should have wrapped them up quickly but things just didn't go there way while Hussey and Haddin were near perfect.

 

[sifter132]

^Well Australia bowling poorly is certainly possible. Siddle and Johnson are notorious underperformers. Can get bags of wickets when they get rolling, but can also bowl a lot of rubbish. Look at Siddle's new ball spell last night. No swing, even though Hilfy was hooping it at the other end. Too short, which meant he beat the bat a couple of times but was nowhere near the edge. I was YELLING at the TV to get it full. Both Strauss and Cook hang back in the crease and you need to get the ball up there. It was the same in the first innings - Cook was rarely forced onto the front foot and when he was it was on the pads. Just looked at Cook's wagon wheel, and he scored 2 singles in front of square on the off side. 2 scoring shots there in 170 balls!

Honestly, Australia have been really lucky here, some random Siddle success and a couple of guys who made 350 between them, not to mention getting the odd piece of luck with referrals. Will be good for the team's confidence if they can finish England off, but I'm not sure it says too much about the rest of the series. Other 4 Tests should be very close.

If England are still in by the end of the day, there should be a match on. They'd be in front by 100 if all has gone well. Anything over 100 in the last innings won't be particularly easy.

 

[TumTum]

As the pitch starts to crumble and the cracks start to form, we will need to bowl leg stump half volleys for England to keep up a run rate of 3. I think England will just be playing to survive this whole day (unless KP has other plans).

 

[MUFC1987]

I think we need to and we will be, positive. No point in scratching around for 5 sessions to be bowled out for 200. May as well get bowled out for 300 in 3 sessions and at least have half a chance with the ball.

 

[pcfan123]

I'd say try to hold out as long as possible and pray for rain. It would take a literal miracle for England to save this if 2 full days are played.

 

[McLOVIN]

9.35am The pitch has flattened out, so it won't all be easy pickings for the Australian bowlers, although the clouds and a few cracks in the pitch will give them some encouragement.

Ok, who gets to make this call? Who's decision is it? Is it up to the groundsman or the home captain? I never got these things

 

[aussie1st]

Apart from the odd ball of swing from Hilf we haven't looked dangerous. Siddle back to his usual serving up of tripe, and Johnson still to come. That is the main risk playing those two together.

 

[Cricketman]

Strauss is batting beautifully. Hope he can ton up here.

 

[Themer]

Really nice batting from these pair here. Still need one of them to get a big hundred though.

 

[aussie1st]

Warnie having a go at Ponting now Not the best bowling by Watson, hes letting the pressure off while Johnson is looking the more likely of the lot so far.

 

[Brook]

Australia's attack is shockingly nonthreatening.