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Australia failed to capitalise on bowling England out cheaply on the first day of the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, ending the day 4-75 after packing the home side for 215.
Such has been the case so often in recent times, Australian batsmen could not back up the good work of the bowlers, Peter Siddle in particular, and lost the top four batsmen to be in a precarious position at stumps.
Steve Smith (38) and Phil Hughes (7) were the batsmen at crease at the end of the day.
James Anderson (2-25) and Steve Finn (2-37) bagged wickets for the home side.
Before the Play
Australia’s decision to play Ashton Agar was a bold one that pointed towards aggressive intent from the Australian camp for this Test and those thereafter in the Ashes.
Nathan Lyon, who had not bowled badly in his only lead-up match, made way as the first choice spinner for the 19-year old left arm orthodox bowler from the Western Warriors.
With only 10 first class matches to his name, and with Lyon having bowled respectably since being dropped and recalled during the Indian series, Agar was a surprise selection to those who were observing the Australian team, but not to ones within.
All the focus in the media and from the fans has been on the fast bowling spots, with Nathan Lyon appearing, if not a certainty, at least very likely to be the player chosen should spin be required.
Coach Darren Lehmann explained the decision as an opportunity to move the ball away from England’s many right-hand batsmen and not a reflection of Lyon’s form, and that both will be in the selection mix come the second Test.
It was Peter Siddle to join Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson on the opening morning at Trent Bridge. The decision to play the Victorian was much tied to the wicket-taking experience that he brought to the team.
It would prove to be a correct one.
The England first Innings
Australia had a few nervous moments early on, with Pattinson erratic in his first over, but steadied and bowled in areas that troubled Cook and Root at times, until the England captain played a Pattinson delivery that moved enough to clip the edge of his bat and be caught by Brad Haddin for 13.
Jonathon Trott got off to a flier, scoring at more than a run a ball for the early part of his innings. On the other hand, Joe Root, in is new role as opener, looked steady and played his part until he was bowled by Siddle for 30.
At 2-98 at lunch, Australia were buoyant, and came out firing after the break to snare the wickets of Pieterson (14) and Jonathon Trott (48), both got out playing shots they might not want to watch in replay.
Ashes debutant Jonny Bairstow joined Ian Bell at the crease and attempted to rebuild England’s innings against an Australian attack that had their tails up but was still susceptible to bowling four-balls.
The pair raced to a partnership of fifty before Siddle struck again to have Bell caught by Watson at first slip to reduce England to 5-178.
Matt Prior came to the crease and went just as quickly after playing a loose shot at a wide ball from Siddle to Phil Hughes, to give the pace bowler his fifth wicket and have the Ashes favourites faltering at 6-185 at tea.
Stuart Broad, who looked uncomfortable against the short ball and was hit by Pattinson. He still managed to smash him through the covers to bring up the 200 for the batting side.
England continued to score freely despite the fall of wickets. Loose bowling from Pattinson and Starc contributed to England’s cause.
England, then, lost their last four wickets for four runs, to be bowled out for 215 and leave Australia well on top.
The pace bowlers did the damage for the tourists with Siddle leading the way with 5-50, while Pattinson took 3-69 and Starc, 2-54.
The Australian Reply
Australia’s batting has been their weakness in recent times and that proved to be the case again at Trent Bridge.
Shane Watson and Chris Rogers came out to open together for the first time and Watson looked aggressive before being caught by Joe Root from the bowling of Steve Finn for 14.
Ed Cowan then went for a golden duck to give Finn two wickets in two balls. In the process, he left Australia wobbling at 2-19.
Michael Clarke survived the hat-trick ball, but was bowled by a ‘jaffa’ from James Anderson soon after without scoring, and suddenly it was 3-23.
Steve Smith then strode to the crease in place of listed number five Phil Hughes and played with the nerves that characterised the innings of his fellow Australian batsmen.
He started to find his feet and the boundary, especially on the leg side, bringing up the Australian fifty with a pull shot through mid-wicket.
However, it was Anderson who broke through again, trapping Rogers in a LBW for 16. Australia’s review of the decision failed to change the mind of the umpire.
Hughes, then, came to the crease and played in a circumspect manner, with his only priority being to survive with Smith until the end of the day’s play.
Both Smith and Hughes will now need to step up to the challenge if Australia is to take advantage of their effort in England’s first innings and build a lead large enough to put their batsmen under pressure for the second innings.
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