So the Ashes are underway and this will be the series' official thread for the summer.
England started the day terribly, losing captain Andrew Strauss in the very first over for a duck to a risky cut shot that went straight to Michael Hussey at gully. The English further slumped when Jonathan Trott was bowled through the gate for 29 after Shane Watson pitched one up fuller and swung it back in perfectly.
An of out form Kevin Pietersen and Alistair Cook took it upon themselves to rebuild the innings and did so fairly well, getting themselves patiently to 2/86 at lunch. Things looked good after lunch until Pietersen drove hard at a fullish ball from Siddle and Ponting made no mistake at second slip and that saw KP gone for 43. Paul Collingwood followed not long after pushing at another fullish ball from Siddle and Marcus North took a sharp catch at third slip. Collingwood scored only four and England were now in a bit of trouble at 4/125.
The much maligned Ian Bell joined Cook at the crase and the two put on a partnership of 72 before one of the best moments in Ashes history occured. Cook reached at a Siddle delivery outside off stump but only edged behind to Watson at slip for a well made 67. The very next ball, Matt Prior was clean bowled by a sharp and very full delivery and then Stuart Broad, who faced the hattrick ball was given out LBW after Siddle's delivery swung in nicely and hit him plumb in front. Broad went for the review but was adjudged to be out a second time and was sent on his way giving Siddle a test hattrick. And on his 26th birthday too!!
Siddle's hattrick hurt England badly and they slumped to 7/197 in quick time. Graeme Swann came and went quickly for 10, trapped plumb in front by Siddle. The review was asked for but Swann was sent on his way after Tony Hill upheld the original decision. Bell did his best to farm the strike from Anderson but fell to Xavier Doherty on 76 but not before adding some crucial runs to the England total. In the end it was a poor shot, Bell tried to loft into the gap over cover but could only hit it straight to Watson at deep cover who caught the ball easily and that was Doherty's first test scalp.
The last wicket didn't take long with Anderson trying an ambitiously ridiculous reverse sweep and was bowled for 11 and that left England all out for 260.
In reply, Australia faced seven overs, moving to 0/25 before stumps were called. Simon Katich made it to 15 not out whilst Watson is also not out on nine.
So, a good day's play if you're an Australian fan, not such a good one if you follow the English. Tomorrow looks like it will be a cracking day's play and you can talk about it here on BigCricket.com.
Who else was surprised by Australia's efforts today? I must admit I was, especially by Siddle who really was fantastic today. His spot in the team was questioned and he responded in the best possible way, on his birthday mind you.
England started the day terribly, losing captain Andrew Strauss in the very first over for a duck to a risky cut shot that went straight to Michael Hussey at gully. The English further slumped when Jonathan Trott was bowled through the gate for 29 after Shane Watson pitched one up fuller and swung it back in perfectly.
An of out form Kevin Pietersen and Alistair Cook took it upon themselves to rebuild the innings and did so fairly well, getting themselves patiently to 2/86 at lunch. Things looked good after lunch until Pietersen drove hard at a fullish ball from Siddle and Ponting made no mistake at second slip and that saw KP gone for 43. Paul Collingwood followed not long after pushing at another fullish ball from Siddle and Marcus North took a sharp catch at third slip. Collingwood scored only four and England were now in a bit of trouble at 4/125.
The much maligned Ian Bell joined Cook at the crase and the two put on a partnership of 72 before one of the best moments in Ashes history occured. Cook reached at a Siddle delivery outside off stump but only edged behind to Watson at slip for a well made 67. The very next ball, Matt Prior was clean bowled by a sharp and very full delivery and then Stuart Broad, who faced the hattrick ball was given out LBW after Siddle's delivery swung in nicely and hit him plumb in front. Broad went for the review but was adjudged to be out a second time and was sent on his way giving Siddle a test hattrick. And on his 26th birthday too!!
Siddle's hattrick hurt England badly and they slumped to 7/197 in quick time. Graeme Swann came and went quickly for 10, trapped plumb in front by Siddle. The review was asked for but Swann was sent on his way after Tony Hill upheld the original decision. Bell did his best to farm the strike from Anderson but fell to Xavier Doherty on 76 but not before adding some crucial runs to the England total. In the end it was a poor shot, Bell tried to loft into the gap over cover but could only hit it straight to Watson at deep cover who caught the ball easily and that was Doherty's first test scalp.
The last wicket didn't take long with Anderson trying an ambitiously ridiculous reverse sweep and was bowled for 11 and that left England all out for 260.
In reply, Australia faced seven overs, moving to 0/25 before stumps were called. Simon Katich made it to 15 not out whilst Watson is also not out on nine.
So, a good day's play if you're an Australian fan, not such a good one if you follow the English. Tomorrow looks like it will be a cracking day's play and you can talk about it here on BigCricket.com.
Who else was surprised by Australia's efforts today? I must admit I was, especially by Siddle who really was fantastic today. His spot in the team was questioned and he responded in the best possible way, on his birthday mind you.