Ashes 2010 style

A good first day for the Ozzies but lets not get to carried away. Remember England managed to scrape a draw out of the first test in the last ashes series with 10 and 11 holding on for ages to get them over that line. Australia where on top in India for most of both tests and still managed to lose. I don't believe these trends will continue but as the cliche goes "take each ball as it comes".

260 is not really enough but Australia still have to get runs and have a lead of 150-200 for a chance. From what I can gather the pitch will turn more and more and with Swann bowling last would not want to chase to many.

Disappointment of the day was Mitchel's bowling. He never seemed to get into rhythm.

Did anyone else watch or listen? Thoughts on the day or potentially the series in general?

I "coincidently" happen to be working from home on Thursday/Friday this week and Monday/Tuesday next week Watzi, so will be watching it all

Was a brilliant first over getting rid of Strauss, and the Aussies managed to get wickets when they really needed them. Siddle and Hilfy bowled really well, Siddle EXTREMELY well for one paticular over Johnson was just crap! He seems to either be bowling really well, or really bad, there isn't any middle ground. The way he cocks his wrist and scrambles the seam does help him too much either. Saying that, he might end up putting in a blinder in the second innings and winning the game for Australia

Fantastic to see the X man get those last couple of wickets too. He has been one of my favourite cricketers (probably second to Brad Hodge) for a long time, but never thought he would play for Aus in a test. Would love to see him get a bag full in the second innings. Normally England like to impose themselves on our spin bowlers, as I think they reckon that since Warnie they are crap compared to Swann and Panesar.

For me, I reckon the Ashes series will be a draw. I was leaning towards England winning it, as much as I hate to say it, but lately have started acknowledging the home ground advantage the Aussies have that might just get them over the line. Think I have covered all of my options there, a draw, a Pommie win, and an Aussie win

Some rain just went over Brisbane, so hope they had the covers on

Please, please, PLEASE!!! Get rid of Marcus North!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gonna be a interesting day 4. Australia did really well with some good luck today but taking 10 wickets is not going to be easy.

Isn't North is going to be the next captian?

BM that is great that you have managed to be working at home over this period how lucky was that!!!!

Well the pitch has turned into a run paradise. I was hoping that the Australians would get amongst it this morning but they hardly bothered the batsmen at all really (especially if you compare to the way England bowled at the start of play yesterday that spell from Anderson was one of the best and Hussey and Haddin did a super job to just survive also I like the way Finn bowls, from all the replays he is never going to bowl a no-ball).

Guess first test is going to turn into a draw, which I think is a bit of a win for England. How good would it have been if we had got Strauss first ball last night!!???!!

BM, I see your man North was the only wicket taker today

Yeah, let's just hope it doesn't crack up bad on the last day, and have Swann turning it too much. He could end up getting a bag full and winning it for England

Hussey and Haddin did a super job to just survive

Hussey had a little help from Aleem Dar

Well that fizzled out I reckon I could have got a ton on that pitch. The England batting card sort of tells us how flat the pitch was, then Ponting and Watson on their way towards centuries too.

Yep definitely turned into a batting deck.

England looked more likely to take wickets on it though which is a concern. Was reading this morning that most of the talk is about changing Australian bowling line up and nothing about North being replaced. Not sure how long we can persist with Johnson (no runs, no catches, no wickets) or North in their current form. The Adelaide pitch is usually full of early runs then towards the end of the match has some spin so not sure what to expect.

I would not be surprised if the Australian team is unchanged.

Katich run out without facing a ball, Ponting caught first ball, then Clarke a few balls later

Well at least things have settled down coming up to lunch 3/94. It could have been worse if Anderson had held that caught and bowled chance (not sure how difficult it was).

Johnson and Hilfy out for Bollinger and Harris. The bowlers are doing it hard while the batsmen seem to get reprieve after reprieve (looking at Clarke and North).

Been working outside with the radio on, forgot how good the ABC is at broadcasting cricket.

Yeah, love the ABC Watzi. Only part I hate of the tv commentary is hearing the barmy army when they get fired up. their singing really gets on my nerves. Probably comes from sitting in the middle of 2 groups of them at the Gabba last Ashes series

The Hussi caught and bowled wasn't too difficult for Anderson Watzi, but luckily he missed it

Marcus North, your time to shine

Marcus North, your time to shine

Or not

Not one of the best days of cricket, hopefully these bowlers can get something going with the ball and get early wickets.

Did anything happen at the end of the days play? Read on Cricinfo about niggle with Haddin/ponting and Strauss?

Ohhh it is getting worse with runs just flowing left right and centre at the Adelaide oval.

Pietersen set for a 100, cook for 150 and not a bowler who looks close to getting a wicket. I try and remain optimistic but this match seems to be heading in just on direction .......

Still hoping for a draw Watzi As one of my mates said, Aussies will be lucky to take 20 wickets for the whole series, let alone one game

That may well be a good call. They just have not got the ball swinging or kept pressure in the right areas for long enough.

Is it possible to take a mulligan in this Ashes series???????

I can't fathom what the hell they are doing.

Michael Clarke all that work and to get out to KP is just not Australian cricket.

What are the chance North can make more than 10 runs!!!???!!!????!!!!???!!! And against the new ball that England will surely take this morning.

I reckon North will make about 165, Hussey 143, and Aussies will bat out the day...UNLESS..it pisses down with rain all day or part of it

Adelaide forecast is

Forecast for Tuesday. A morning shower, increasing to showers and a thunderstorm during the afternoon and evening.

On the 512 km radar, the storms they are a coming

Sorry, I meant Hussey 53

Oh well, 2nd is still pretty good

They only needed to last a few hours. According to BOM there are storms all over adelaide, and look to be hanging around for a while!!!

Like the optimism BM but it was all for naught, 245 in the first dig was never enough.

Now we need to take 20 wickets twice in 3 matches to have any chance to winning the Ashes back.

Well Watzi...http://bringbackwarne.com/

If there going to bring back Warne why not bring back McGrath as well.

or

Why haven't they gone further with cloning.

Lillie & Thompson clones, now that would would breathe life into the attack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PXRTraA1tY

Well the Aussies have wielded the axe, with Doherty, North and Doug Bollinger all droped and now in the squad

- Michael Beer "the 26-year-old West Australian, has played just five first-class games with 16 wickets at an average of 39.93" from the age (he also averages 3.5 with the bat in his 5 matches).
- Phillip Hughes, makes 4 and a duck in the latest match against SA
- Steven Smith, makes 8 and 46no plus taking 4 wickets in each innings against SA
- Mitchel Johnson, does not play for WA just bowls in the nets

Not sure about Beer and Hughes, I think they need to persist with Doherty for longer than just 2 matches.