Australia’s captain Ricky Ponting celebrates after reaching 100 on the second day of the first cricket test match between England and Australia in Cardiff, Wales, Thursday July 9, 2009. AP Photo/Jon Super
Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting have started burying their demons from the 2005 Ashes series by scoring centuries and grinding England into the Cardiff turf.
Katich (104no) and Ponting (100no) knuckled down to put on 189 and completed a great day for Australia by scoring their hundreds just before stumps on day two of the first Test.
The unbeaten second wicket stand lifted Australia to 1-249 in reply to England’s 435.
Katich reached his maiden Ashes hundred in the third last over of the day by hooking Andrew Flintoff to fine leg and raised one hand as he strode down the pitch.
The skipper had some nervous moments in the 90s in the final over of the day before finally pushing Flintoff (1-48) for a quick single off the second-last ball to bring up his 38th Test ton.
He kept on going after completing the run, sweeping around to acknowledge his teammates in the stands.
The pair’s dogged performances came as England’s personnel problems mounted in the field at Sophia Gardens with concerns over the fitness of seamers Flintoff and Stuart Broad.
The injury-plagued Flintoff moved gingerly in the field late in the day while Broad needed treatment on a calf muscle.
Ponting reached a major milestone during his innings in becoming the fourth batsman in Test history to score 11,000 runs by pulling Broad for a couple to move to 41.
He joined India’s Sachin Tendulkar (12,773), West Indian Brian Lara (11,953) and is now 114 runs behind Australia’s top runscorer Allan Border (11,174).
After Flintoff took care of Phillip Hughes (36) in an inspired opening spell, Katich and Ponting dug in on a slow pitch with the left-hander enjoying a life on 10 and having a confident lbw shout turned down on 56.
Flintoff had precious little support with questions remaining about the temperament of James Anderson (0-57) while spinners Graeme Swann (0-49) and Monty Panesar (0-31) rarely threatened despite a turning deck.
Flintoff claimed first blood against Hughes in a rousing post-lunch spell, the big Lancashire lad steaming up and unleashing a barrage of short balls – four in all – at the 170cm opener in his first over and directed a few words at him.
The right-armer has been a shadow of the player of the 2005 series in the past two years but he was spoiling for a fight on Thursday.
He almost claimed Katich’s wicket but failed to cling onto a low return catch. That really hurt the home side.
Flintoff then directed that anger into his assault on Hughes by continuing to try to square him up as Australia’s opening stand passed 50.
The all-rounder blunted one of Australia’s main left-handed weapons in Adam Gilchrist by bowling around the wicket four years ago.
This time around he went the other way, coming over the wicket to cramp up Hughes in his unorthodox open stance with Australia at 0-60.
Just the third ball after making the switch, he squeezed Hughes for space and had him inside-edging the ball behind with gloveman Matt Prior taking a fine diving catch to his right.
Flintoff theatrically stood to the side of the pitch with his arms out-stretched to soak up the applause but, by the end of the day, England needed more from his teammates.
Swann (47no) earlier tormented Australia’s inexperienced Ashes attack as England’s tail added 99 runs in 16.5 overs in the morning session.
Snapshot of day two of the first Ashes Test at Sophia Gardens:
SCORE – In reply to England’s 435, Australia are 1-249 at stumps.
MEN OF THE MOMENT – Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting. The surviving members of the 2005 series loss both posted hundreds just before the close to bat Australia back into the contest.
KEY MOMENT – During an inspired spell of fast bowling, Andrew Flintoff tries to bend his creaking body to collect a low return catch off Katich on 10. He just fails to drag it in and Katich goes on to add another 94 runs for the day.
STAT OF THE DAY – 11,060. The number of Test runs that Ricky Ponting has scored after becoming the fourth batsman to break the 11,000-run barrier.
QUOTE OF THE DAY – “Those of us who went through what happened four years ago, it hurt and you can’t forget that hurt. From that point of view there are a few of us that are really keen to make amends.” – KATICH.
SUMMARY – Australia regain momentum after England won the morning session with Graeme Swann (47no) and the rest of the tail peeling off 99 runs in 16.5 overs. After Flintoff accounted for Phillip Hughes, the old heads of Katich and Ponting dug in to produce an unbeaten second wicket stand of 189.
FIsher Price
Guest
650.... there's a long way to go.
Jameswm
Guest
That's a good point John, except my vision of winning has us putting on 650 and bowling them out for 300, leaving us only 50-100 to get. That woudn't tire out their bowlers too much as they'd rest most of the last two days. They also have 5 genuine bowlers.
onside
Guest
Rick G ,Finno Ben Conkey et al Test cricket is awkward to digest if you are time poor or have a day job.(Need sleep or cant watch the match whilst embalming). Ben Conkeys ,"Flintoff to Hughes" example is correct. Trouble is these nuggets are so few and far between.It's a bit like watching a golf tournament waiting for those few shots of pure magic.But even though a golf tournament, like a Test match, lasts for several days, at least in golf you get a result. A winner. The journey is more enjoyable than the destination for Test cricket purests. It has to be , because the game is not result orientated, there does not have to be a winner. This concept is far more pleasant on those lovely grounds in the UK with trees, grass,deckchairs, and old chuches in view. Compare that with Australian concrete stadiums. .Enough said.'Its just not cricket'
drewster
Roar Pro
It is going to be interesting to see what impact Swann and Panesar have from here. can't wait til this evening!!!!
JohnB
Guest
Jameswm - after the second morning, I'll bet Johnson would like to come out in the last hour tomorrow morning our time at 6-550 odd AND with Swann bowling about his 45th wicketless over! While obviously you have to concentrate on this test first and foremost, remembering the next game is only 3 days after this one, and that some of England's bowlers are fragile or carrying niggles, grinding them into the dust for another day and a bit would be no bad thing.
SouthernWaratah
Guest
I think Holding calls it as it is as he's been there and done it, England rise to the top in 2005 (& '81 for that matter) for 5 minutes and live off it. If Athers and Nasser had have performed at any consistent level other than 1 Test Century each against Australia they would realise that the big noting of Swann and Co means nothing until you perform each test, that’s why Ian Bell is off still trying to figure out why he's not in the side, You can drive an Aston, live in Chelsea & generally strut around like a peacock but it means nothing if you don't back your ability with consistent performance. I’m happy for England to live off 2005 for the next 20 years because what happened then isn’t going to help them in the morning….. Harmisson’s off in Durham somewhere having lunch with his Mum, Haggard is on the shelf, Jones is using a walking frame and Freddie churned out 6 over’s of value….
Finno
Guest
RickG agreed test Cricket is brillant stuff
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Watching Phillip Hughes was a little frustrating, he is unorthodox so to the viewer it looks like he could get out or score a boundary on every ball. Great day for the Aussies, hopefully they can go on and make a big score. I am bewildered England didn't pick Harmison and Sidebottom as both are in form, this didn't look the case for Anderson and Broad.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
Rick G..it sure is. That one over by Flintoff to Hughes after lunch was better than a whole match of Twenty20. Brilliant.
RickG
Guest
Seriously guys - Test cricket, how bloody good is it? Give me the twists and turns, trials and tribulations any day over the farce that is 2020.
Jameswm
Guest
Brett - yes, that was me having a go at Ponting for not building an innings. Maybe it was just because it was a tour match and he didn't have the same patience, but then he did it in South Africa as well. Benny - actually Anderson and Broad were a lot faster than I expected them to be. Guys maybe stumps came at a good time for the Aussies. They can re-group, have a chat, and say we have to bat out the next day. We have to be max 2 wickets down at lunch etc. We need to knuckle down. Haddin seems to sing to a different tune, but Hussey and North will patiently build their innings. Hopefully Clarke will too. We can bat till half way through the fourth day as far as I'm concerned, and declare at 8 for 720. Wishful thinking I know... I would love little more than to see Mitch Johnson come in for the last hour of the day at 6 for 500 and get going. Even better if Haddin is also on song at the other end.
onside
Guest
looks like a draw to me
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
Southern Waratah, that was funny when Holding did that. And it's a point that gets overlooked. Yes Australia has lost Warne and McGrath, but the batting is as strong as ever. It's hard to see Australian getting bowled out for under 450..although the English are already talking about what happened in 05 when AUS were 1 for 264..and crumbled to be all out for 370. Lightning surely won't stike twice.
SouthernWaratah
Guest
I loved Michael Holding as the 3rd Man last night, he gave a very non bias English view of events, Athers and Nasser kept going on and on about Hughes V Harmisson. Katich in 2005, Bowling ninety miles an hour (As if thats the most important thing when bowling). MH just came on and said, here's a fairly handy batting attack..... fast forward one wicket down at stumps!
Benny
Guest
How rubbish are Anderson and Broad...so slow and predictable
Brett McKay
Guest
Actually James, that's something we've discussed during the tour games - Ponting definitely put that wafty wave of the bat outside off away last night, which means he's learned from his mistakes. A few times that he did play and miss outside off, but he was just beaten a good ball...
SouthernWaratah
Guest
Hay Spiro! Is Stuart MacGill ever going to write another article? I quite enjoyed his first but that was a while ago....
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
every coach will tell you that if you get a start, you need to go on with it. starts are sooooo valuable. POnting and Katich did just that. the first innings of the first test, give them both barrels. no better time!!
Finno
Guest
We need a spinner and I have trouble believeing that Hauritz is or best spinner, I think Warne should announce a come back just to stir the pomps. Harmison got Hughes out twice with the short ball hence the short stuff, he played soem wonderful strokes and Im really looking forward to him playing some good innings, I like him as he isnt going to doe wondering Punter and the Grub just great test cricket, it would be great if both of them could pile on another hundred get up over 300 then let the other play some shots. I cant see it happen and it might be used get the Australians some good exposure to Panesar, Swann and Anderson. I was disappointed by how the english tail wagged not a good sign, spose im use to the last 3 wicket falling for 10 -20 runs. It was a good effort to get over 430 odd. Would have liked to keep them under 400. This outcome of the 3rd day will give you the result of the Test Match..
Jameswm
Guest
Spiro - rather than arm, I'd say it's shoulder and follow-through that Hauritz needs. That's what gets you most of the energy on the ball. And unlike you Spiro - I didn't think Hughes's innings was that scratchy. I barely recall him playing and missing, and his pushes were timed beautifully and racing away to the boundary. I agree though it was a mistake to try to bounce him out - the two from Harmison in the previous match would have got just about anyone, and if you get the line slightly wrong, he will punish you. I am not convinced he will have a long and fruitful career if his back foot continues to move towards square leg. He gets too square on, which makes it too hard to play on-side shots. He does have a very good eye and fast hands though. But he is restricting his effectiveness. Time will tell. Ponting did what I wanted him to - knuckle down, don't go for the big drives early, and grind it out. When he goes in to bat with this frame of mind, he usually makes a century. I was screaming at the TV when Ponting persisted with Hauritz against Swann. "Stop screaming", my wife said. "We're losing the test right now", I replied. Swann was having fun and being cheeky, and we needed Johnson and Siddle to be bowling at his throat. That would take the smirk off his face - Hauritz's off-spinners certainly didn't. And for those glad Lee isn't playing, this is where he does his best work - 153kmh late reverse-inswinging yorkers are too much for nos. 9-11. It'd be great for us to be 350 at lunch and only 1 or 2 down. There is an awful lot of batting to come, but I'd really like us to pile on 600, which will probably take until an hour into the following day. That's a lot of runs of course, but it's the only way to put us ahead. I don't think 500 will be enough.