By Tom Wald
July 9th 2009 @ 6:55am
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Pietersen snaps, late Siddle spell keeps day even
A late burst from Australian paceman Peter Siddle and a Kevin Pietersen brain explosion have combined to keep England in check in the first Ashes Test in Cardiff.
On a topsy-turvy day, both sides threatened to gain the ascendancy before honours were shared as the home side finished the opening day at 7-336 at Sophia Gardens.
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Colin N said | July 9th 2009 @ 8:32am | Report comment
All in all, a good day’s Cricket. The Australian bowlers did ok, and the delivery that got Bopara by Johnson was excellent. The pitch spun a fair bit for Hauritz and if he can get that much spin out of the pitch, I’m fairly certain Swann will be a big threat with the ball and maybe even Panesar, as this pitch may suit his style of bowling.
In 2005, the tail-end partnerships proved crucial and if the likes of Broad and Swann, who are both accomplished batters,can take the score past 400, then England will be firmly in pole position. At least Anderson kept his record of never having been out for a duck in test match Cricket.
Brett McKay said | July 9th 2009 @ 8:44am | Report comment
As far as opening days to series go, 7/300+ means you could walk away having got good value for money. Suggestions of honours being even would be pretty accurate, in my humble opinion.
Hilfenhaus and to a lesser extent Hauritz seemed to be the pick of the Australian bowlers to me, and perhaps what is surprising is that Johnson and Siddle, the two guys who were “locked in” before the England Lions match, were both off the pace in stages. Johnson’s second spell to take Strauss and Bopara was quality, and Siddle’s corker inswinger to remove Prior was his highlight of an otherwise disappointing first day for him.
Pietersen needs a walk through the house of mirrors after his dismissal, most sane batsmen would have pulled out of that shot once the ball went wide, but not Kev and Kev’s ego. Perhaps it was karma for surviving the Hilfenhaus LBW shout. Bopara looked like a rabbit in the headlights, and even Strauss seemed lost after starting reasonably well. Collingwood looked solid, and Flintoff and Prior’s partnership very nearly gave England the honours for the day. Flintoff looked ominous, and Prior erased the questions I had about him being a Test No.6. Though both were aided by Siddle giving them as much width as they needed.
Great first day, and on the personal front, the lounge room camp worked a treat, and despite only three hours sleep, I’m feeling pretty fresh at work. That said, ask me again on Monday morning…
JohnB said | July 9th 2009 @ 9:00am | Report comment
I always think – wait until both sides have had a bat before you decide what a good score is. Topsy turvy is right though – the English looked so comfortable for the first half hour you’d have thought the stumps score would be more like 3-350, but then at 3-90 you’d be a bit disappointed that a team with only 5 batsmen got as far as they did.
And just something that puzzled me – Johnston looks innocuous, then suddenly finds his groove and in one over (the third I think of his second spell, and sixth overall) hits and nearly gets Bopara, has a good shout against Strauss turned down, and gets Strauss with a nasty one off the last ball. The other team’s main batsman (Pietersen) comes in to the non-striker’s end, and stays there for the following over, setting up the confrontation with Australia’s main and fired up bowler. What does the captain do? Put on a new bowler so Johnston could switch ends. Is it just me, or do others think you’d at least give Johnston one over immediately at Pietersen especially given he was suddenly bowling well from that end?
Jameswm said | July 9th 2009 @ 9:17am | Report comment
Yes I noticed that too John. And why didn’t they pepper KP with short balls at his throat when he came in?
I got through about the first half of the day.
Bopara was completely at sea. He was playing and missing outside off, snicking them over slips and gully, couldn’t handle the short one and lucky to survive as long as he did.
I also agree with whoever said it was karma KP got out the way he did, because that LBW beforehand was plumb. KP looked iffy early on and he’ll get some low scores as the series goes on.
Ponting took too long to fill the gaps when Hauritz was bowling, letting them take easy singles off him. He needed the short leg plus a square leg, which was where both Collywobbles and KP were milking Hauritz. Hauritz also has to bowl fuller or they’ll read him off the pitch. Overall he bowled ok though, but what will the English spinners be like on the 5th day?
Hilfy did bowl well and almost looked like an inspired selection. I expected SClark to play. Siddle did his usual thing of charging in late in the day to change the course of the match. That’s about the third time he’s done that in only 6 or so tests.
Johnson’s seam wasn’t vertical and his arm was too low. I don’t understand how they can have that many coaches and not get this right. It isn’t really that hard, but it could all change in an instant as it did in SA. I think in his 2nd spell he stopped worrying about trying to swing it too much and came in and bowled fast. Hughes is supposed to be the one who worries about the short ball, but Strauss and Bopara looked pretty wobbly to me!
Great day, honours roughly even. England will be ahead if they can manage 400+, Australia will feel good if they can dismiss them for under 375. Bowling first can be a great way to win a test. Bowl them out, then have a huge first innings so your bowlers can rest. Even if England make 400, the Aussies can really seize control – but they’ll have to score about 550 to do that. A couple of big innings.
Everyone will be very excited to watch Phil Hughes when he gets his chance tonight!
RickG said | July 9th 2009 @ 9:45am | Report comment
Good to hear the loungeroom camp worked well Brett! I sat down wondering if it was going to live up to expectation and wasn’t disappointed. It was a really absorbing 1st session and you could really see the bowlers feeling their way through amid some great spells. Actually, I wonder how much of this had to do with the commentators? I know the ch 9 guys cop a bit of stick but I felt Holding, Beefy, Gower, Hussain (and who’s the one with the thick Lancashire accent – Arlott?) did a great job – giving an insight to what’s going on without banging on too much about the same thing.
Looking forward to tonight and how the Aussies reply.
Brett McKay said | July 9th 2009 @ 9:57am | Report comment
I do need a coffee though Rick!! And Graeme “Bumble” Lloyd is the Lanc in question. Has anyone bothered to see what he’s Tweeting?? You’re right about the Sky commentators too, I thought they were good, though I also through Warnie was part of their coverage?? Even though The Roar’s own Stuie MacGill did a good job in the SBS studio. Damien Martyn is surprisingly good, he seems to have come out of his shell since retirement..
JohnB said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:02am | Report comment
Rick G – David Lloyd is who you’re wondering about (I think). Not Arlott anyway – different accent from what you describe, but also (and this is perhaps the clincher) sadly he’s long dead!
Michael C said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:11am | Report comment
Early days, Johnson and Hilfenhaus looked to be just going through the motions.
Pulling Johnson out of the attack and getting Siddle in was both good and bad. Siddle didn’t quite settle as well as he would’ve liked – but, he brought the necessary amount of aggression and energy to the table.
From there, it was as if the Australians were ‘awoken’ and the English top order batters became a tad tentative.
Ironically, Siddle failed to settle. Hilfy got a soft wicket and Johnson likewise got a couple more pretty soft wickets – but, the batsmen had become a little unsure and it was tentative non-strokes that got them in trouble. Certainly Johnson’s 2nd spell was a great improvement on his insipid start.
Equally bemused as others about the handling of Johnson and the end switch after he got Strauss?!?!??! Just because a plan is hatched – - doesn’t mean a sudden wicket shouldn’t allow it to be deferred another over (it’s as annoying as the AFL tend to plan interchange breaks for players, such, that so often a guy kicks a goal and then heads straight for the bench?!?!?! What about momentum and confidence and addrenalin rush??)
The middle session – - gawd, Hauritz on day one…..either North, Katich and Clarke are real part timers and can plug the hole for a tad and we take a 4th seamer in – - or what the heck is going on?!?! Even McDonald would’ve been better value.
With 4 overs to go, the day belonged to England. Funny how Siddle suddenly validated his day with 2 key wickets and should establish momentum for Australia going into day 2.
Brett McKay said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:14am | Report comment
where did I get Graeme Lloyd from?!?
Benjamin Conkey said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:17am | Report comment
Brett, I agree with you on Marto..he is good..But MacGill? It sounded like he was doing an infomercial. I guess he will improve as the series goes on. I switched between the TV and radio commentary. Ian Chappell is better on radio.
And I know he annoys some Aussies, but I like Geoff Boycott’s commentary. I never get tired of his ‘My mum could smash Nathan Hauritz’ calls.
Good day of Test cricket. That wicket of Flintoff was crucial, because it changed the way Prior played. He and Flintoff were just going along nicely not worrying about the close..then Prior was in two minds how to play.
Interesting that they sent in James Anderson ahead of Stuart Broad..The ABC/BBC commentators suggested he was the night-watchman..and quite rightly asked. “Who was he protecting?”
Brett McKay said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:25am | Report comment
Yes Conks, I didn’t mind MacGill. I can take or leave Greg Matthews (has always been the case), but I thought Martyn and MacGill were both great. Was there much delay between radio comments and tv pictures?? I always find radio to be a bit in front of the action, which is a shame because their commentary is excellent. Interestingy, I was talking to a mate in Sydney during the first session, and my pictures were about a second in front of his..
Botham asked the same thing, who was Anderson protecting. I get the impression Beefy doesn’t think much of using nightwatchmen…
Chop said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:27am | Report comment
Brett
Graham Lloyd was an Aussie pitcher who came to fame when he pitched relief for the Yankees about 10 years ago.
RickG said | July 9th 2009 @ 10:39am | Report comment
Yes, David Lloyd, thanks
McGill was pretty stiff but I guess that’s to be expected. I’m sure he’ll settle down. Maybe a glass of vino would do the trick?
SouthernWaratah said | July 9th 2009 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Roebucks back at it again today, I swear he has a voo doo doll of Ponting at home. In the mould of the Bouvier twins on the Simpsons
“We’re just working the eyes”
Brett McKay said | July 9th 2009 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
thanks Choppo, I’m sure only their mother can tell them apart….
ilikedahoodoogurusingha said | July 9th 2009 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
The radio was a couple of seconds ahead of the TV….not too bad.
FIsher Price said | July 9th 2009 @ 2:17pm | Report comment
SouthernWaratah,
Roebuck’s not alone in thinking Ponting’s a decidedly mediocre captain.
See also: “Defensive fields: shock horror”.
fox said | July 9th 2009 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
I’m very upset that KP isn’t sporting highlights, a mullet or even some whiff of hair at the back of his head that might resemble a rats tail this ashes series. It has robbed me of some superficial means to ridicule Pieterson and that’s not fair. Perhaps we can focus on his strange walk, his assured demeanor and brain-fart induced strokes against an off spinner that makes Bryce McGain look like a magician. Still. It’s not quite the same.
Jameswm said | July 9th 2009 @ 3:05pm | Report comment
If Hilfenhaus could get the ball to come back – or even hold it across the seam occasionally – he could get KP LBW early.
The occasional straight one would stop the batsmen leaving him outside off with impunity too. Can’t he just run his fingers down the side of the ball for a slight off-cutter?
Scott Adams said | July 9th 2009 @ 3:54pm | Report comment
Who let Tom Wald loose on this series? Where is John Coomber and his ‘analysis’ when we need him?
BTW, Graeme Lloyd was ‘Bumble’s son – he also played for Lancashire and England- though only for England as a limited overs player.
Brett McKay said | July 9th 2009 @ 4:01pm | Report comment
Scott, that’s a very happy coincidence about Bumble’s son also being Graeme!!
onside said | July 9th 2009 @ 4:31pm | Report comment
Test cricket must be preserved.Its such a quaint concept.Romance rarely living up to reality.
.Steamship v Jet travel.Black bakelite phones v Twitter. Long term surgical recovery times
v overnight laser surgery.Five days of contest,no result guaranteed ..Enthusiasts are well
advised to support the likes of Twenty /20 because without the overwhelmingly popular
cricket derivatives that financially underpin the game of yore,they would have nothing to
look at but old videos.
Fred Magee said | July 9th 2009 @ 9:27pm | Report comment
Maybe it is just me but I will not consider Pietersen to be a great player until he realises that he must bat the way that the team needs him to bat. Again, be it selfishness, arrogance whatever he should have put Australia to the sword especially after a very scratchy start.
Overall, I think Australia would have been happy with the 7 wickets and they have gotten the last three but after another 100 added which isnt great but I think we need to accept that we wont polish off the tails as quickly as we have had in the past.
Brett, the loungeroom camp sounds ideal…unfortunately I can set up until after Lords due to work commitments but after that the aero bed will be up and in use in front of my plasma!
Ashes in England only comes every four years – enjoy everyone!!!
Fred Magee said | July 9th 2009 @ 11:34pm | Report comment
Is there any chance of watching a Test match without seeing John Howard in the crowd?