The Ashes 2010-11

[Dougie]

Courtesy of Espn Cricinfo

Australia v England, 1st Test, Brisbane

Roles reversed as Ashes battle arrives

November 25, Brisbane
Start time 10:00 (00:00 GMT)


The Big Picture


The latest instalment of the 133-year Australia-England battle begins with one team trying to form unity out of disarray and the other hoping their perfect preparation turns into an Ashes win. In modern times it has been England who have had to agonise over injuries and form issues, but this time it is the hosts who have all the major issues.

Ricky Ponting's men start the series on a three-game Test losing streak, a sequence of results that hasn't occurred since 1988. That was also the year that Australia last lost at the Gabba. If England can re-write that part of history they will have a huge advantage over the rest of the series, which they only need to draw to keep hold of the urn.

England's tour has been incredible so far, with a couple of warm-up wins, including a strong performance against Australia A, and a draw. Almost all of their men are in form and their position has been so powerful that they sent their bowlers to Brisbane a few days early to acclimatise. If they have lost a bag in transit it would rate as their biggest setback.

The last time Australia lost the Ashes at home was in 1986-87, back when Ricky Ponting was 12 and Andrew Strauss was living in Victoria. Given the build-ups of the sides and the changes Australia have undergone, this is England's best chance for success. If they don't take it over the next seven weeks they will have to wait decades to run into their enemies at such a vulnerable stage.


Form guide

(most recent first)


Australia LLLWW
England WLWWW



Watch out for...


The destination of the Ashes almost relies on Mitchell Johnson's left hand. If he can bounce and frighten, and hurry and worry, England's batsmen then Australia will be more than halfway towards regaining the Ashes. If he is as loose as he was in the 2009 series, the locals will struggle to contain England's complementary batting order. The signs were good last week when he mixed a five-wicket haul with a century for Western Australia, but now he's back in the big time.


Stuart Broad was responsible for turning the Ashes last time and he carries the same power again. A bowler first, he is capable of bowling full for swing or changing his length to force the batsmen back. As a run-maker, he is strong and entertaining, and it is a shame his century against Pakistan at Lord's was sullied. His father Chris was responsible for lifting the urn in 1986-87, and the family name will never be forgotten in England if Broad can do it too.


Team news


Michael Clarke's back is the major worry for Australia but he has proved his fitness and Ponting does not consider him a risk. Peter Siddle will play his first Test since January after beating Doug Bollinger for the final bowling spot, and Xavier Doherty will make his debut. Usman Khawaja and Doug Bollinger are heading to Perth after the toss to play for New South Wales.


Australia 1 Simon Katich, 2 Shane Watson, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Marcus North, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Xavier Doherty, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus.



England have known their best XI for months and there will be no deviating unless someone trips over a sprinkler head, or slips in the nets. No touring team since the great West Indies outfits of the 1980s has been so assured before a series in Australia.

England 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn.



Pitch and conditions

If the results of the Gabba this season are followed, the match won't last five days. The square remains soft from a spring of heavy rain, but the pitch is firm and a light shade of green. Showers are forecast throughout the game, with the cloud cover and extra moisture exciting the bowlers. Ben Hilfenhaus smiled broadly last night when he noticed it was raining. Add in the humidity and temperatures in the high 20s, and it's going to be a contest controlled by the fast men.


Stats and trivia

•This will be Ricky Ponting's eighth Ashes series but he barely makes it on to the list of most England-Australia matches. Ponting's 31 games sit well behind Syd Gregory (52), Allan Border (47), Steve Waugh (46) and Colin Cowdrey (43).


•The man at the ground with the most Ashes runs will be Graham Gooch, England's assistant coach. Gooch scored 2632 in 42 games, putting him in 11th spot, one ahead of Greg Chappell, Australia's new selector.


•In 321 Australia-England Tests, England have won 99 and lost 132. In Australia they have succeeded 54 times, and been defeated on 85 occasions.


•Anderson is the one visiting bowler who has played a Test in Australia before, but Trott and Prior are the only ones in the top seven who are on their Down Under debuts. Hilfenhaus has featured once at home, while Doherty has played a handful of domestic fixtures in Brisbane


Quotes

"A batting collapse probably had a big say in us losing the Ashes last time and we're very aware of the fact. We've spoken about it a lot, but sometimes the more you speak about things the harder they become."
Ricky Ponting on his side's recent tendency to lose wickets in big batches

"It's been a big build-up. It's obviously a very exciting thing, the prospect of representing your country in an Ashes series. We're standing here on the edge of it, so the guys are very keen to get amongst it and get off to a good start."
Andrew Strauss

[Dougie]

Courtesy of Espn Cricinfo

Siddle hat-trick gives Australia control

November 25, 2010

Australia 0 for 25 (Katich 15*, Watson 6*) trail England 260 (Bell 76, Cook 67, Siddle 6-54) by 235 runs

Ashes history is littered with some extraordinary opening days and Brisbane produced another as Peter Siddle, a controversial selection for this match, gave himself a birthday to remember by claiming a hat-trick and a career-best 6 for 54, which removed England for 260. Alastair Cook played calmly for his 67 and Ian Bell produced one of his finest international innings, but the visitors will feel they've let a golden chance slip and Australia closed on 0 for 25.

Siddle's moment of glory came in the final session after England had reached 4 for 197 and Australia had gone into a holding pattern. He was recalled to the attack and in his second over back persuaded Cook, after 168 balls of concentration, to push outside off and edge to first slip. That was followed by a full, fast delivery that Matt Prior barely had time register and the hat-trick ball was again homing in on the stumps but instead struck Stuart Broad's boot. The atmosphere at the 'Gabbatoir' was electric and just to add to the drama Broad, who clearly wasn't prepared for the clatter of wickets and was rushed to get ready, reviewed his decision, but there was no escape.

It was some way to mark a Test recall - Siddle hadn't played since January after suffering a stress fracture of his back - and was an emphatic tick for the selectors, who'd preferred him over Doug Bollinger. He showed how to bowl on a slow surface, pitching the ball a touch fuller than is normal in Australia. Even before his hat-trick, Siddle had justified the call with the key scalps of Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood, which set England back during the afternoon. His sixth wicket came when Graeme Swann played round a straight ball and he was only denied a seventh when Brad Haddin spilled James Anderson.

Around the mayhem caused by Siddle, Bell played a wonderful innings that highlighted his development as a Test player. Left with the tail, he opened up in a manner rarely seen at the highest level, producing a string of a purring drives through the off side until lofting Xavier Doherty to deep cover to hand him his first Test wicket.

The drama of the final session will grab the headlines, but the series had also been given a lively beginning as England managed to write another entry into the list of Ashes horror starts. After events on this ground four years ago all eyes were on the first ball of the day and the opening delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus sailed harmlessly past off stump. However, it didn't take long for the series to burst into life - two balls later Strauss tried to cut one that was a little too close to his body and picked out Mike Hussey at gully.

The England captain stood there, head in hand for a moment, before turning for the dressing room as the Gabba erupted to the cheers of the home support. Strauss had made two hundreds during England's near-perfect warm-up period and Australia knew how vital the scalp was. It took the visitors until the third over to open their account and that was an edge to third man by Jonathan Trott, who then had to survive a heart-stopping referral when Siddle's lbw shout was sent to the third umpire.



Smart Stats

Peter Siddle's hat-trick was the tenth by an Australian bowler and the second at the Gabba after Courtney Walsh's hat-trick in 1988-89. It is also the first by an Australian bowler since Glenn McGrath's effort at Perth in 2000-01.
Siddle's 6 for 54 is his third five-wicket haul and best bowling performance after the 5 for 21 against England at Headingley in 2009.
In six Tests at the Gabba since 1990, England have passed 300 only twice in their first innings. While they made 325 and lost in 2002, they managed a draw in 1998 after scoring 375.
Ian Bell's 76 is his fifth half-century in 11 innings in Australia and his ninth against Australia overall.
Kevin Pietersen has not scored a century since his 102 at Port of Spain in March 2009. Since March 7 2009, he has scored 904 runs at an average of 36.16 with six fifties. In contrast, till March 6 2009, he scored 4445 runs at an average of over 51 with 16 centuries and 14 fifties.




However, he and Cook steadily evened the scales. Trott provided some impetus but was also rather skittish at stages as he edged short of second slip and got a leading edge towards point trying to work through midwicket, before giving his innings away with a loose drive at Shane Watson. England believe they can target Watson as a weak link in the Australian attack, so providing him an early wicket will have been a disappointment, but Watson's full length was a lesson to heed on this pitch.

Cook was one of England's batsmen to enter this series with an unflattering record against Australia and shouldn't have survived the first session when he was dropped at point on 26 by Doherty. That, though, was his only mistake until his dismissal, as he refused to chase anything wide and waited for the bowlers to drift towards the pads. He pulled Mitchell Johnson through midwicket for his first boundary then started after lunch with a sweet clip and picked off Doherty with ease.

The game settled as Cook and Pietersen added 76 to take England into the period where batsmen traditionally dominate in Australia once the ball has gone soft. However, Siddle had been picked because of his ability to unsettle batsmen on good pitches and proved his worth. He made one move a fraction to find the edge of Pietersen's drive and produced a very similar delivery to have Collingwood taken low at third slip.

Collingwood is known to be a dodgy starter but Pietersen had looked in fine fettle, as good as he has at Test level since before his Achilles injury. Pietersen's first boundary was a sweet straight drive and he wore the expression of a man on a mission as he picked off a further five fours. He also seemed intent on attacking Doherty during an intriguing mini-battle and Australia were relieved to end it when they did. Slightly surprisingly, Siddle was rested after a four-over burst, but his impact on the day was far from over.

[Dougie]

Courtesy of Espn Cricinfo

Resurgent Hussey gives Australia the edge

November 26, 2010

Australia 5 for 220 (Hussey 81*, Haddin 22*) trail England 260 by 40 runs

The Ashes contest lived up to its billing of being too close to call on a fluctuating day at the Gabba. England's bowlers staged a spirited fightback before being quelled by a resurgent Michael Hussey, whose unbeaten 81 gave Australia the edge when bad light ended play. The hosts lost four wickets during the afternoon session as James Anderson and Steven Finn produced fiery spells, but Hussey was joined by Brad Haddin and the sixth-wicket pair added 77 to leave Australia sensing a vital lead.

We'll never know what the Australia selectors would have done if Hussey had failed in the second innings of the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria last week, where he struck a hundred after an 18-ball duck in the first innings. His first ball today was inches short of reaching second slip but that was about his only alarm during an assured display, where his attacking approach against Graeme Swann laid down a marker for the series. Five fours and a six came against the offspinner, who, along with the quicks, regularly dropped short to feed Hussey's pull.

However, England's attack showed enough to suggest they can more than hold their own in Australian conditions with Anderson the most impressive as he began correcting a poor record down under. Not only did he claim two vital wickets, but his economy of under two meant the hosts didn't race away. As a whole, England maintained good control when wickets weren't falling although Finn's two successes came at a slightly high cost.

England were denied the early breakthroughs they wanted during the morning session as Shane Watson and Simon Katich rode the occasional moment of good fortune. The first major alarm came when Katich, on 22, raced off for a single into the covers, which Watson declined. A direct hit from Alastair Cook would have had Katich well short but the throw missed, while Matt Prior couldn't reach the stumps in time.

The tussle between Watson and England's quicks was engrossing. The bowlers targeted his pads and Watson responded with handsome straight drives, but he also got into a tangle against a well-directed short ball from Broad which struck him under the arm and lobbed just clear of the stumps.



Smart Stats

Michael Hussey's half-century was only his third fifty-plus score after the 134 against Pakistan at the SCG in January 2010. Since January 4 2010, Hussey averages 32.81 in eight matches. He averages 62.69 against England with two hundreds and seven fifties.
Ricky Ponting fell for only his third score below fifty in matches at the Gabba since December 2003. He has three centuries and six fifties in twelve innings at an average of 80.60.
Marcus North fell below ten for the 15th time in 33 innings. He has been dismissed for a duck on five occasions. In the remaining innings, he has five centuries and four fifties, but is yet to score a single hundred at home.
Shane Watson and Simon Katich were involved in their ninth fifty partnership. Among Australian opening pairs who have aggregated more than 1200 runs, they have the second highest average.
Katich has made eight hundreds and 17 fifties in 32 matches since May 2008 at an average of 52.38. He has made a fifty-plus score in 22 out of 32 matches since May 2008. Prior to that, he averaged 36 with two hundreds and six fifties in 23 matches.




England thought they'd broken through when Katich was given lbw against Anderson but the decision was overturned on referral for height, then the visitors tried their luck with a review against Watson but it was only clipping leg stump and couldn't be changed. By now, tensions were starting to mount - especially between Anderson and Watson - but to Anderson's credit he kept his composure and his line as Watson edged a good-length delivery to first slip.

Anderson then gave the team a perfect start after lunch when Ricky Ponting glanced an edge down the leg side. With his tail up, Anderson gave Clarke a working over and was well supported by Finn, who produced a fine spell having begun nervously on his Ashes debut.

Katich had reached a nuggety half-century from 103 balls but hadn't added to his score when he scooped a full delivery back towards Finn, who stooped low in his follow-through to hold a fine catch for such a tall bowler. Having made an impact, Finn then found Hussey's edge first ball but the nick fell agonisingly short of Swann at second slip.

England were convinced they had Clarke caught behind before he'd scored when Finn nipped one back to find the inside edge and they used up their final review after Aleem Dar said not out. However, Hotspot didn't show an edge so the decision was upheld, although Snicko - which can't be used as part of the UDRS - did suggest a feather from Clarke's bat.

England had a stranglehold over Australia but Hussey broke the shackles with two pulls off Finn. There was then a clear indicator for the series as Hussey took the attack to Swann - who had previously bowled two one-over spells - and used his feet to on-drive a six before cutting through the covers. When Swann continued to drop uncharacteristically short he was pulled twice through midwicket.

Finn, though, returned for another spell and made an immediate impact when Clarke's painful 50-ball innings ended with a top-edge pull. Clarke had already been struck on the helmet and the glove by Stuart Broad as he refused to attack the short ball, and his first attempt at something aggressive brought his downfall. Swann, whose first four overs cost 34, then produced his best delivery of the innings that spun to take the edge of North's bat as he collected his latest failure which will reignite the debate over his position at No. 6.

Haddin, who is playing his first Test since March following injury, immediately looked solid at the crease and after tea began to chip away at a tiring attack, while Hussey maintained his role of aggressor. Hussey's fifty came from 85 balls and the midwicket fence continued to be his favoured location for boundaries. England were desperate to reach the second new ball, but the moment it became available the light closed in, followed shortly by rain, which meant the next key stage of this match had to wait. The morning should be compulsive viewing.

[Dougie]

Courtesy of Espn Cricinfo

Hussey and Haddin put Australia in command

November 27, 2010

England 260 and 0 for 19 (Strauss 11*, Cook 6*) trail Australia 481 (Hussey 195, Haddin 136, Finn 6-125) by 202 runs


Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin wrote themselves a place in the history books with a monumental 307-run partnership as Australia took a firm grip on the opening Test in Brisbane. The mammoth stand was a record for any wicket at the Gabba and steered the home side towards a formidable lead of 221 as Hussey hit a career-best 195. Following hours of toil, Steven Finn provided England a late boost with a career-best six wickets, but it's a huge task for them to avoid beginning their Ashes defence with defeat.

Facing a tough hour, Andrew Strauss survived a huge appeal lbw first ball when he padded up to Ben Hilfenhaus and Ricky Ponting asked for a review but it had been correctly ruled to be heading over the stumps. However, it was a heart-in-mouth moment for Strauss, who was on a pair until he tucked a single to square leg. He and Alastair Cook fought hard to get through to the close, yet it's only the start of what has to be a huge rearguard and at least two batsmen need to follow the lead of Hussey and Haddin.

Their stand will go down in Ashes folklore and finished second to the 346 added by Don Bradman and Jack Fingleton in 1936-37 in Australian partnerships against England. Hussey played like the man who dominated world cricket for three years after his debut before the lean time that brought his career into doubt. He reached his 12th Test century off 197 balls and celebrated with a huge release of raw emotion. It meant consecutive Ashes hundreds after his futile 121 at The Oval in 2009, but this one has given his team a huge advantage and has put to bed any debate about his place in the team.

Haddin's innings was his finest at Test level because of the way he adjusted his game to weather an early barrage from the new ball before blossoming towards a 222-ball hundred, which he reached with a straight six off Graeme Swann. He was given a life on 63, with Australia just 39 ahead, when Cook spilled a tough chance and another on 113 when James Anderson dropped a top-edged pull as England's fielding showed a few cracks - a bit like the Gabba surface - before eventually being well caught at slip to end the visitors' 93-over wait for a wicket.

Finn then nipped in for a commendable six-wicket haul, but the pick of England's attack by a mile was Anderson, who somehow went wicketless during a brilliant morning burst in a period of play that is likely to define this Test. On 82, Hussey was given lbw by Aleem Dar, but instantly called for the review and was correctly reprieved as the ball had pitched outside leg stump. Then another shout, with the batsman on 85, was stone dead only for Dar to say not out as he heard two noises - which proved to be both pads - yet England had no reviews left themselves.

Anderson wore a rueful smile, and shared a few words with the batsmen, but continued to have the ball on a string with a succession of unplayable deliveries. The opening 10 overs of the day went for just 13 runs and the first boundary didn't arrive until Haddin drove Finn straight after 50 minutes play.

That was a signal for Haddin to play a few more shots, having had to battle against his natural instincts to repel the early barrage. He late cut Finn through gully then drove Anderson on the rise over mid-off as Australia closed in on England's disappointing 260. Anderson finished an eight-over spell at the cost of 14, but it was the perfect example of when statistics don't even tell half the story.



Smart Stats

Michael Hussey's 195 was his third century against England and second in consecutive matches against England after his hundred at The Oval in 2009. It is also his highest Test score surpassing his 182 against Bangladesh in 2006.
Brad Haddin's 136 was his second-highest Test score behind his 169 against New Zealand in 2008. It was also his second hundred against England and third overall.
Haddin's 136 is the second-highest score at the Gabba by a wicketkeeper, behind Ian Healy's 161 against West Indies in 1996-97.
The 307-run stand between Hussey and Haddin is the fifth 300-plus partnership for the sixth wicket and the third for Australia. It is also the highest partnership at the Gabba going past the 276-run stand between Don Bradman and Lindsay Hassett in 1946.
Graeme Swann went for more than 100 runs in the innings for the fourth time against Australia and the 13th time overall.
Steven Finn's 6 for 125 was his third five-wicket haul and best bowling performance in Tests.




Haddin's aggression took Australia into the lead and Hussey moved through the 90s when he used his feet against Swann in the offspinner's opening over. Moments later, Hussey had his landmark and the ground went wild with similar ferocity as greeted Peter Siddle's opening-day hat-trick.

England's story of near-misses continued when Cook couldn't quite back-pedal under a high catch offered by Haddin as he drove aggressively at Paul Collingwood's first delivery. The importance of Haddin's innings can't be overstated because if the lower order had been exposed to the new ball England would have sensed their opportunity.

The pitch was still good for batting, but the widening cracks and hint of occasional balls disturbing the surface emphasised the importance of the lead. After lunch, the pair put their foot on England's throat with dominant batting as the visitors became increasingly forlorn. A problem for Strauss was that Swann remained below his best and was comfortably picked off by Hussey and Haddin.

They ticked off a host of records including the 276 added by Bradman and Lindsay Hassett against England in 1946 as the best stand on the ground, which was brought up with an inside edge past the stumps by Haddin off Anderson, and also into second place for Ashes sixth-wicket partnerships. After two wicketless sessions, thoughts turned to whether Australia would declare in the evening, but that decision was taken out of Ponting's hands as England showed resilience.

Swann pushed one across Haddin from around the wicket and Collingwood showed sharp reflexes, then Hussey was removed five short of a maiden Test double when he miscued a pull to deep midwicket. It had been a profitable shot throughout the innings and he left to another standing ovation.

Mitchell Johnson had been padded up all day and couldn't get off the mark during an uncomfortable 19-ball stay before he missed a drive and Siddle was early on a pull which he gloved to slip to give Finn his third five-wicket haul. Xavier Doherty (16) suggested he can provide useful runs down the order until handing Finn his sixth as the last five wickets fell for 31. England's bowlers did a good job against top and bottom of Australia's, but one magnificent partnership dominated the innings.

[Dougie]

Courtesy of Espn Cricinfo

Strauss and Cook reignite contest

November 28, 2010

England 260 and 1 for 309 (Cook 132*, Strauss 110, Trott 54*) lead Australia 481 by 88 runs

If Australia needed any convincing about England's resilience they were given a day-long example as Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook hit magnificent centuries to give the visitors a golden chance to save the opening Test in Brisbane. The openers added 188 and when Strauss departed for 110, the challenge was taken up by Jonathan Trott, who helped Cook put on a further 121 for the second wicket. Cook ended unbeaten on 132 and England held a lead of 88 when bad light closed in.

While few expected England to fold in a heap - they rarely do these days - even fewer would have expected a stumps score of 1 for 309. However, inspired by their captain the tourists set about showing they'd learnt the lessons from their poor first innings and gave Australia a day of toil in the field to match what England had suffered on Saturday. There is still time for the home side to force something on the final day, but nothing in their bowling in this innings has suggested they have the firepower to succeed.

Strauss's 19th Test hundred, and fourth against Australia, arrived from 184 balls when he late cut Xavier Doherty and his aggression against spin was a key part of the innings. He knew England couldn't block their way to safety, and often used his feet to advance and loft down the ground. Strauss's century celebration was unusually emotional; it hadn't been the easiest start to the series after his first-morning failure and this was another example of England's spirit. The stage was set for him to make it a massive hundred, following Hussey's lead, but he was beaten in flight by Marcus North and couldn't regain his ground, stumped by Brad Haddin.

Cook reached his landmark with a rasping cut shortly after tea and this match has been an emphatic response from somebody who still had his fair share of doubters coming in to the tour. Shortly afterwards he gave a tough chance to Peter Siddle at fine leg off a top-edged pull, but Siddle couldn't quite hold on as he dived forward. Trott was also given a reprieve, on 34, when Michael Clarke's valiant attempt at point failed as the ball slipped out of his finger tips and this time Siddle was the bowler to suffer.

England's opening pair ticked off a few records along their way, including the visitors' highest stand at the Gabba and the best opening effort by any touring team in Brisbane. They also became England's most prolific first-wicket duo in Test cricket, although the record was diluted somewhat as they have played more than twice as many innings as the Jack Hobbs-Herbert Sutcliffe pairing they overtook. But that was a minor point in the bigger picture of England trying to claw their way back into the match, which they did with an impressively aggressive approach. The time-runs equation could be vital in the end.



Smart Stats

The 188-run stand between Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook is the seventh-highest partnership by an England opening pair in Australia. It is also the second-highest after the 203-run stand between Michael Atherton and Graham Gooch at Adelaide in 1991.
Cook and Strauss became the most prolific opening pair for England in Tests, surpassing the aggregate of Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe.
Strauss's century was his first in Australia. He made 247 runs in 10 innings on the previous tour.
Cook's century was his second against Australia and 14th overall. His previous century came at Perth in 2006.
Mitchell Johnson has picked up just 24 wickets in eight Tests since January 14, 2010 at an average of more than 41. At home, he has just one wicket in two Tests.
The century stand between Cook and Jonathan Trott was the tenth for the second wicket for visiting teams in Australia since 2000. It was also the third century stand for the second wicket for England, the highest being 170 between Ian Bell and Cook at Perth in 2006.




Having survived a first-ball review yesterday evening, Strauss gave a commanding display, punctuated with his favourite cuts and drives. However, he was given a significant let-off on 69 when Mitchell Johnson, in the midst of a torrid match, spilled a relatively simple chance at mid-off when Strauss tried to loft Doherty down the ground. There was another moment of alarm when he misjudged a pull on 88 which looped over point then an edge flew between the slips to take him to 96, but Strauss will feel England were owed a little luck.

The clearest sign that Strauss's game was in top order came from his shots through cover, which were a hallmark of his dashing start to Test cricket back in 2004. He latched on to Ben Hilfenhaus and Shane Watson when they over-pitched, while waiting on the back foot for anything short. Though the ball was only 15 overs old when play resumed there was very little assistance for the quick bowlers and Johnson, who was the fourth option used by Ricky Ponting, resorted to trying a bouncer-attack at Strauss, but a slow pitch nullified the threat.

Cook showed the same application as he had in the first innings after an early alarm when he sliced a cut between third slip and gully. Most of his other 10 boundaries came out of the middle and he even showed the cover drive, which is rarely seen from him these days. Initially, Cook outscored his captain but normal service was resumed as he dug in but he never became flustered and ticked the scoreboard over. He hacked Doherty through midwicket then cut him for three to move to 97 but had to spend the tea interval sat two short of his hundred, although didn't have to wait long. It was the first time since 1938 that both England openers had hit Ashes hundreds in the same innings.

After Strauss's aggression towards spin brought his demise, Trott began in positive fashion, which meant the scoring didn't seize up. He carried England into the lead with an elegant cover-drive off the struggling Johnson and he ensured two set batsmen were ready to face the second new ball when it came at the beginning of the final session.

Once again a crucial period loomed but Cook and Trott were equal to the challenge. Hilfenhaus found some swing and there were the two tough chances, yet it wasn't quite the threat everyone expected. In a sign of desperation Ponting used up his last review when Trott padded up to Hilfenhaus, but the ball was easily missing off stump and Trott's fifty soon followed as he tucked into Johnson's wayward offerings. This Test has had too many twists to think the final day will be plain sailing, but if England can hold their nerve it will be another in their recent history of incredible rearguards.

[Dougie]

Courtesy of Espn Cricinfo

England break records in high-scoring draw

November 29, 2010

England 260 (Bell 76, Siddle 6-54) and 1 for 517 dec (Cook 235*, Trott 135*) drew with Australia 481 (Hussey 195, Haddin 136, Finn 6-125) and 1 for 107 (Ponting 51*)

It was a day for burning up the record books at the Gabba as Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott produced a herculean unbroken stand of 329 to secure a comfortable draw for England. Cook scored his maiden double-century and Trott hit his second hundred against Australia, making it the first time England's top three had scored Ashes tons, before Andrew Strauss declared at a mind-boggling 1 for 517, which left Australia to face 41 overs.

There was never a realistic chance of a result with England 296 in front, but they wanted to try to secure further psychological points ahead of Adelaide. Stuart Broad, wicketless in the first innings, made an early breakthrough when Simon Katich edged to slip, however, Ricky Ponting put two days of fielding frustration behind him to notch a brisk half-century as he and Shane Watson batted out the remainder of the match and lifted Australia's spirits a little. It had been a sobering time in the field, as they claimed a single wicket in 26 overs.

While Cook and Trott extended a stand that was already worth 121 overnight, it was difficult to keep up with each new landmark. On a personal level, Cook's 200 came from 306 balls while Trott's elegant, composed hundred took 213 and his was an innings studded with wonderful driving. In 2005, Cook cracked a double-hundred against the touring Australians but that wasn't a first-class match and this innings left his previous Test-best of 173, made against Bangladesh at Chittagong, well behind.

In a mark of what Cook achieved, he also broke a record held by Don Bradman for the highest individual score at the Gabba, while his match aggregate bettered that of Matthew Hayden in the 2002-03 Ashes encounter. Trott, meanwhile, continued the prolific start to his Test career and made it two second-innings hundreds in two Tests against Australia following his debut ton at The Oval.

The partnership rattled through the records. It became the highest for England in Australia and banished the Michael Hussey-Brad Haddin alliance to second place for any stand at Brisbane less than two days after it was set. They finished with the highest-scoring innings for the loss of a single wicket. For the England fans, who far outnumbered the locals on the final day, it will have been the performance of Ashes dreams.

England began the day knowing they weren't out of danger despite yesterday's heroics and there were more than a few mentions of what happened in Adelaide four years ago. However, this time there was no Shane Warne to spin the batsmen into submission. Instead, Cook and Trott continued as they had done the previous evening by scoring at a rapid pace against unthreatening bowling and by lunch it was just a question of how many overs England wanted at demoralised opponents.

Ponting set fairly defensive fields and a number of edges flew through gaps in the slips, but Australia couldn't even take the one chance that came their when Michael Clarke dropped a sitter at slip when Trott, on 75, tried to guide Watson to third man. Ponting just continued to chew his gum and the home side were deflated.

Mitchell Johnson, meanwhile, went through a horrid spell to give his confidence another pounding. He tried over and round the wicket to both batsmen, but his match was summed up when he sprayed a terrible bouncer miles down the leg side against Trott which flew for five wides. Johnson ended wicketless in a Test for the first time and faced a nervous wait to see what his immediate future held.

England teams have been through years of pain in Australia, and especially at the Gabba, and the two batsmen were in no mood to let up. Both batsmen start to open their shoulders; Cook used his feet against the spinners while Trott continued to show his sweet straight driving. Even when Doherty found turn from the footmarks, two deliveries beat Brad Haddin for four byes.

Australia thought they'd finally broken through at 1 for 457 when Cook chipped Doherty to short midwicket, where Ponting dived forward for the catch, but the celebration was so low-key that Cook stood his ground and it went to the TV umpire. As so often, the cameras added doubt although it appeared Ponting had got his fingers under the ball and he was angered when the decision was ruled not out.

Just to add to Ponting's pain, he then spilled a tough late chance at slip and when England passed 500 courtesy of four more byes all he could offer was a gentle clap and strained smile. Ponting, though, has determination in bucket-loads and was desperate not to hand England his wicket during the final session.

The quick bowlers tried to pepper him with short balls, and Finn struck his helmet, but the pitch was too docile to cause major concerns. James Anderson, meanwhile, had plenty to say to both batsmen and had to be spoken to by Aleem Dar. Graeme Swann was denied a confidence-boosting scalp when Paul Collingwood spilled Watson at slip in what proved to be the last significant chance they created. Ponting sped to a 40-ball half-century to ease his tension a little.

At the start of the final hour Strauss approached his opposite number and the two captains shook on a draw but, once again, the final outcome doesn't reflect the drama of the five days. Battle will be resumed in Adelaide, on Friday, where it's unlikely to be any easier for the bowlers.

[Dougie]

Magical memories, but now Australia under scrutiny

December 1, 2010


December 3, Adelaide

Start time 10:30 (00:00 GMT)


The Big Picture

England fought back to show character and ended up controlling the first Test, but they must build on their hard-won momentum to deliver more pain to the ailing hosts. Andrew Strauss already holds the urn so he has an important advantage in what has turned into a four-game shootout. The equation is simple: Australia must win more games than England to reclaim the Ashes.


Given the state of the sides, a local victory will be hard work in Adelaide. The back-to-back games mean both outfits will have some weary men, and the bowlers face another back-breaking week on a surface that feels like paradise for the batsmen. At the end of the Gabba Test, Ricky Ponting couldn't help but laugh at England's second innings, which finished at 1 for 517. There wasn't much else he could do after watching his bowlers provide fodder for Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott.

It is extremely unusual for the hosts to be under such heavy scrutiny so early in a home campaign, but they must discover some sustained form to win some relief. Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris, the fast bowlers, have been included in the 13-man squad and have been trying to impress in the nets this week. The batting remains unchanged but once again this is an important game for Marcus North, the hit-and-miss batsman, and part-time spinner.

The game here four years ago is still remembered as a nightmare or a magical dream, depending on your allegiance. England entered the final day at 1 for 59, with a lead of 97 and a chance to push for victory. Instead they were rolled by Shane Warne for 129 and Australia sped to a six-wicket victory. England never recovered and the result changed the series.


Form guide

(most recent first)


Australia DLLLW
England DWLWW



Watch out for...


Ricky Ponting was relieved when he was able to leave the Gabba with an unbeaten half-century on Monday. He did enough to show some much-needed form in the Test arena and convince himself he's on target for a huge score. As Australia showed in the first game, they need their captain to fire, and will hope he does it on a ground he loves. Ponting is the leading scorer in Adelaide with 1433 runs, including five centuries and a high of 242, in 14 Tests.


Like Ponting, Kevin Pietersen produced a bright start in Brisbane, with 43 when the conditions were at their toughest on the opening day. Just as he was starting to shine brightly he pushed at Peter Siddle and edged to second slip. Pietersen is desperate for a big contribution and will start at Adelaide sans moustache, which makes him look hungry for runs instead of 1970s fun. The arena is Pietersen's favourite - although that might have changed slightly after his rain rant yesterday - but he has mixed memories from four years ago. He conquered Warne in the first innings with 158, but was bowled trying to sweep on that fateful final day in 2006-07.


Team news

Australia's bowlers are the most nervous groups of players in the country and Mitchell Johnson has already had his card marked unfavourably. Ponting has confirmed Johnson has been dropped from the side after his ineffective performance at the Gabba, with Ryan Harris and Doug Bollinger vying for his place. With a gap of only three days between Tests, the fresh men could provide a huge boost for the already weary side. Expect Bollinger to come in for Johnson, which lengthens Australia's tail, while Ben Hilfenhaus also struggled at the Gabba and will be under pressure from Harris.


Australia (probable) 1 Simon Katich, 2 Shane Watson, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Marcus North, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Xavier Doherty, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Ben Hilfenhaus, 11 Doug Bollinger.

England's bowlers also found the Gabba pitch tough work but only injury will force them into a change. Steven Finn showed he could extract some extra bounce out of lifeless surfaces, while Stuart Broad and James Anderson also had bright patches. The key for England is to get something out of their highly-rated spinner Graeme Swann, who struggled in the opening game.

England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn.


Pitch and conditions

This will be the first Test in charge for the curator Damian Hough, who has replaced Les Burdett after his four decades at the ground. Hough expects a traditional Adelaide wicket, which means lots of runs and some unpredictable bounce late in the game. "Every year we have been able to produce a sporting pitch," Hough said. "There have been eight results in the last 10 years so I think the characteristics haven't changed." The forecast for the opening day is mostly fine, with a top temperature of 30C, while Saturday's maximum is expected to be 35C.


Stats and trivia

•The last time Australia drew at the Gabba, they followed up with a four-wicket defeat in Adelaide. That was against India in 2003-04. England last drew the opening Test of an Ashes tour in 1998-99, which they followed with losses in Perth and Adelaide


•After last week's run-fest, when Cook became the highest scorer at the Gabba with his 235, the players will have to do a lot better to beat the ground's high mark. Don Bradman's 299 is the top score, while England's best is Paul Collingwood's 206 four years ago


•Two players involved in the match will start it with batting averages of more than 200 at the venue. Brad Haddin's mean is 245 in two Tests, while Collingwood's is 228 after one match.


•Australia have won 16 of 29 Tests against England at Adelaide, while the visitors have succeeded on eight occasions. Their last victory there came in 1994-95, when Devon Malcolm and Chris Lewis bowled the hosts out for 156 in the final innings.


•Only four of the specialist bowlers in both squads have played Tests in Adelaide. Johnson has played there three times, while Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger and James Anderson have played there once.


Quotes

"The bottom line is we've got to find 20 wickets in the game and we've got to pick the bowlers who we think are best equipped, skill-based wise and physically, to get that job done."
Ricky Ponting



"We played a really good three-day game here a little while ago, and it was really valuable to play on the Test square. Our guys enjoyed playing on that surface."
Andy Flower, England's coach

[Dougie]

Anderson bowls England in to powerful position

December 3, 2010

England 0 for 1 (Strauss 0*, Cook 0*) trail Australia 245 (Hussey 93, Haddin 56, Watson 51, Anderson 4-51) by 244 runs

James Anderson reduced Australia to their worst start to a Test innings in 60 years and despite a stirring fightback from Michael Hussey, England remained well on top after the opening day in Adelaide. Few venues in the world are kinder to batsmen than Adelaide Oval, and after winning the toss on a 34-degree day, for Australia to be dismissed for 245 before stumps was not only sub-par, it was potentially ruinous.

Anderson and Graeme Swann bowled superbly on the flat surface at a ground that holds four-year-old nightmares for some of the England players. It was the Australians who were suffering from frightening visions early on this occasion, although it could have been even worse for Ricky Ponting's men after they were 3 for 2 in the third over.

Hussey's second counterattacking innings of the series dragged the hosts back to a vague level of respectability, but they wanted his 93 to be another big century. There was also a late half-century from Brad Haddin but an England attack led by Anderson, who thoroughly deserved his 4 for 51, ensured Australia's worst first-innings total at Adelaide Oval since 1992-93. England faced an over before stumps, and the openers enjoyed a more sedate start than had Australia.

The chaos began with the fourth delivery of the Test, which ran away to square leg off Shane Watson's pad. There was a leg bye on offer but Watson later admitted his call was too quiet for his partner Simon Katich, who hesitated, then took off and was denied the chance to face even one delivery when he was caught short by Jonathan Trott's brilliant throw.

If a diamond duck in the first over was an embarrassing start for Australia, it was only to get worse. Ponting, who looked so fluent in his second-innings half-century at the Gabba, was greeted first ball by a great ball from Anderson, who angled it in and then moved it away from Ponting, whose thick edge was snapped up by Swann low to his left at second slip.

The match was five balls old, Australia were 2 for 0, and the spectators who hadn't yet made it through security at the Adelaide Oval had missed one of the most memorable starts to an Ashes Test. It quickly got even better for England in Anderson's next over, when he sent down a ripsnorter to get rid of Michael Clarke for 2.

Clarke looked horribly out of sorts in Brisbane, and in truth he was unlucky to even get an edge to Anderson on this occasion, as the ball hooped in towards him and then jagged away. Clarke reached forward, trying to smother the movement with a positive drive, and his thick edge was taken at second slip by Swann. Clarke has been working with Ponting in the nets during the week, but emulating his dismissal was not the idea.

It was a wonderful start from Anderson, who bowled well in at the Gabba without luck, and not since an Ashes Test in Brisbane in 1950 had Australia scored so few runs for the loss of their first three wickets. Marcus North and Haddin, who had been settling in for a quiet morning, were frantically searching for bats and pads to prepare for a potentially early entry.



Smart Stats
Michael Hussey came into bat with Australia's score at 2 for 3. This was the third worst score for Australia at the fall of the third wicket
Simon Katich was run out without facing a ball. This was the 24th such occurrence in Tests and the first such dismissal for an Australian batsman since Wayne Philips' run out against West Indies in 1984.
The 245 is Australia's lowest first innings total at Adelaide since their 213 against West Indies in 1993.
Ricky Ponting's first ball duck was his fifth in Tests. Four of them have come in the last two years.
It was only the third time that Hussey fell in the nineties. The previous occasion came against India at Nagpur in 2008.
James Anderson has 194 wickets at an average of 31.62. However in 2010, he has picked up 46 wickets at an average of just over 21.




Fortunately for them, Hussey and Watson launched a counterattack. There were a few more nervy moments for Australia - Watson survived an lbw review on 7 and Anderson put down a tough return chance when Hussey had 3 - but the pair got through until lunch unscathed.

However, just as he had in the first session, Anderson struck early in the second, with another good outswinger that drew Watson (51) in to a drive that was taken at gully by Kevin Pietersen. While Hussey kept building at the other end, looking as assured as he did during his 195 last week, Marcus North poked and prodded his way to 26, before a lapse in judgment gave Steven Finn his first wicket.


North tried to open the face and guide Finn past the cordon, only to feather a catch through to Matt Prior. It ended a 60-run stand that was useful, but on a flat pitch this was North's best chance to silence the critics who point to his poor results in sticky situations for Australia. Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, who were dropped for this Test, know the selectors are no longer willing to carry passengers and North deserves to be nervous.

All the while, Hussey kept finding the gaps, although England's bowlers didn't feed his pull as they had in Brisbane, which was a wise move given the tiny square boundaries in Adelaide. Before the first Test, Hussey's brother David tipped him to be the leading scorer in the series and although not many fans had the same faith, he has been unquestionably Australia's best batsman so far.

But Swann denied Hussey a second century of the series with a magnificent piece of bowling, curving the ball in from around the wicket to entice a cover drive. The ball spun further than Hussey expected, and his edge was snapped up at first slip by Paul Collingwood. Swann was on a hat-trick when he had Ryan Harris lbw first ball; Harris asked for a review, confident he had edged the ball, but Hot Spot was not definitive.

Swann couldn't match Peter Siddle's opening-day hat-trick at the Gabba, but his 2 for 70 was a good reward on a day when he kept one end tight. Neither Finn nor Stuart Broad were at their best, but both claimed a wicket; Broad's dismissal of Haddin, caught at fine-leg for an entertaining 56 ended Australia's innings.

It denied Anderson the chance for a five-wicket haul, which he deserved, but none of the England players would worry about such trifles. They know that with four days to play, on a good surface, the match is theirs for the taking.

[Dougie]

Another Cook hundred gives England total control

December 4, 2010

England 2 for 317 (Cook 136*, Pietersen 85*, Trott 78) lead Australia 245 by 72 runs

Alastair Cook's colossal series continued on the second day in Adelaide, where he and his batting colleagues ground Australia into submission and delivered complete control to England. At the end of a stiflingly hot 37-degree day, Ricky Ponting's men were sapped not only of energy, but also of virtually any hope of winning the Test, the ghosts of the Adelaide Ashes Test from four years ago notwithstanding.

Australia knew their first-innings total of 245 was a long way below par, but the optimists in the team might have hoped it could become competitive if a few early wickets fell their way. Any such dreams were dashed by Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen, all of whom made batting on the placid surface look like a net session, and by stumps England were 72 in front, with only two wickets down.

A few more hours of batting from England, and they will be in a terrific position from which to push for victory. And what's a few more hours to Cook? Since the start of his second innings at the Gabba, Cook has batted for 17 hours without being dismissed, a display of concentration and physical durability worthy of a marathon runner. Add in his first innings in Brisbane, and he has made 438 runs in nearly 1400 minutes of batting.

Australian fans fondly remember Steve Waugh's efforts in the 1989 Ashes, when he was almost impossible to dismiss. It took him four Tests to score as many runs as Cook has made in one and a half. He registered his top score, an unbeaten 235, in Brisbane and there is no reason he can't match that effort in Adelaide, where he closed the second day on 136 not out.

Pietersen was with him, on 85, which was an equally ominous sign for the Australians, who knew Cook and Trott were in form but hoped they could exploit Pietersen's supposed weakness against left-arm spin. Pietersen had one nervy moment early against Xavier Doherty, when he advanced and tried to drive aggressively down the ground, only to see his thick edge lob safely wide of point.

Apart from that, he looked every bit the confident, dominant batsman who plundered 158 at the venue four years ago. He used his feet and placed the ball superbly against the spinners and had little trouble against the fast men, cruising to his half-century from his 77th delivery with a whip through midwicket for four off Peter Siddle. It's 18 months since Pietersen has scored a Test hundred, but it would be a brave person to bet against him breaking that stretch on Sunday.

The Cook-Pietersen partnership had blown out to 141 by stumps, with Pietersen rapidly gaining ground on his partner. Cook reached his 15th Test century from his 171st delivery, which was expertly cut forward of point for a boundary off Doherty, who had felt the brunt of Cook's power square of the wicket earlier in the day.

Cook had cut three consecutive fours in almost the same place, just forward of point, showing the Australians once again that while he was generally patient enough to leave fuller balls tempting him to drive, anything short would be treated harshly. Cook's innings was impressive not only for his fine judgment, but for being chanceless throughout the day.

On the one occasion that Australia won a decision against Cook from the umpire Marais Erasmus it was overturned on review; the caught-behind verdict off Siddle's bowling was shown on replay to have come off Cook's arm. Not that Australia had anyone to blame but themselves for failing to make more than two breakthroughs throughout the day, as they gave Trott three lives before he was eventually caught for 78 flicking Ryan Harris to Michael Clarke at midwicket.

Doherty missed an opportunity to run out Trott on 6, when his throw from square leg flew a metre wide of the stumps. Trott had enjoyed a direct hit from an almost identical position on the first morning to remove Simon Katich, which sparked Australia's top-order collapse. The side-on chance for Doherty was tough, but Michael Hussey had no such excuse.

Trott was on 10 when his edge flew low to gully, where Hussey dropped a catch he would normally have swallowed. Australian shoulders slumped, and it allowed Trott and Cook to build a 173-run stand that should have ended a fraction earlier, when Brad Haddin dropped a reasonably simple chance down leg side off Harris when Trott was on 76.

The runs had been flowing freely earlier in the day, when Australia's fast men fed Trott's leg-side habit with alarming generosity. Trott was in a positive frame of mind, fresh from his century at the Gabba, and he drove and flicked boundaries through the on-side with ease. During the middle of the first session England were moving at a limited-overs run-rate, adding 44 in a six-over period that sapped much of the positive vibe they'd enjoyed by removing Andrew Strauss in the first over.

In his first over of an Ashes Test, Doug Bollinger attacked the top of off stump and Strauss was bowled not offering a shot. It was the high-point of Australia's day, and it came from the third ball of the morning. There wasn't much to celebrate from the remaining 525 deliveres.

[Dougie]

Pietersen double-ton adds to Australia's pain

December 5, 2010

England 4 for 551 (Pietersen 213*, Cook 148) lead Australia 245 by 306 runs

Kevin Pietersen doesn't do things by halves, and having spent the past 18 months without a Test century it was no surprise that he turned his comeback hundred into a double as England inflicted more pain on Australia. By the end of the third day in Adelaide, the equation was simple - Australia's batsmen must survive six sessions, or close to it, to salvage a draw and head to Perth at 0-0.

Not that England had declared yet, but the rain that arrived at tea, by which stage their lead was an ample 306 runs, would no doubt encourage Andrew Strauss to get his bowlers in to action as soon as possible on the fourth day. A shower or two has been forecast for Monday, with some wet weather expected on Tuesday as well, and Australia are the only possible beneficiaries if the rain plays a part.

They had to find assistance from somewhere, after spending the past two days toiling in the field for little reward. Adding to their woes, Simon Katich spent time off the field battling an Achilles tendon injury, which won't help his chances of playing a long innings. And there were hints of reverse swing late in the day, along with sharp spin out of the footmarks when Marcus North sent down a few overs, which will make Graeme Swann a serious threat.

On the second day, Australia were thwarted by Alastair Cook, whose two centuries have defined the opening stages of this Ashes battle, but Pietersen's dramatic return to form could become a key factor for the rest of the series. At stumps, Pietersen was unbeaten on 213, his second double-century threatening to become his highest Test score, although the weather might have put paid to his plans of overhauling his career-best 226. Ian Bell was with him, on 41, after Paul Collingwood (42) chipped in earlier in the day to add to Australia's woes, which began with Cook's magnificent 148.

Without question, the day belonged to Pietersen, who entered this match having not scored a Test century since the tour of the West Indies in March 2009. That in itself was almost impossible for Australian fans to believe, given the vintage touch he displayed in this innings. He was forceful through the off side, driving hard and finding gaps, and thumped through midwicket with disdain.

His so-called weakness against left-arm spin didn't help Xavier Doherty, who struggled for impact and had 0 for 120 from 24 overs, which will increase the chances of Nathan Hauritz returning for the Perth Test. No bowler leaked more runs against Pietersen than Doherty, who was dispatched for nine fours and one monstrous six over the fence at long-off, which is a fine achievement considering the lengthy straight boundaries at Adelaide Oval.

Pietersen's work down the ground against Doherty was outstanding, but the Adelaide spectators who remembered his 158 in the corresponding Test four years ago would have been taken back in time by his walking at the fast bowlers. Doug Bollinger is not a man who often gets charged, but the sight of Pietersen sauntering down the pitch to flick Bollinger through midwicket from outside off was something to behold.

His century, which came with a clip off his hips from his 158th delivery, brought a screeching roar from Pietersen that would have fitted into a horror movie, which was pretty much how the Australians were viewing the Test. His double-hundred came from his 283rd delivery, with a hurried single pushed to mid-off, testing the hamstring that had twinged earlier in his innings.

There was no run-out chance, though, and in truth, Australia created hardly any opportunities throughout the day. There were but two wickets for the home team to celebrate, just as there had been on Saturday. They were pleased to get rid of Cook early in the day, when he feathered a thin inside edge off Ryan Harris to Brad Haddin, who hurled himself to his right to take an athletic catch.

Cook's dismissal left him on 450 runs from his three innings so far this series, more than any Australian batsman managed throughout the entire 2009 Ashes campaign. It was a well-deserved wicket for Harris, who was easily the best of Australia's bowlers, although he didn't have much competition in an attack that struggled for impact.

Shane Watson picked up Collingwood, lbw to a fullish ball that nipped in and struck him in line with off stump, but as the opening batsman, he cannot be expected to carry too much of a bowling load. Those were Australia's only two moments of relief on another difficult day, until the rain set in. And when you cheer for wet weather, you know you're in trouble.