Stuart Broad’s five-wicket haul on the first day of the first Ashes Test put England on top but a lot will depend on how their batsmen go against the Australian bowlers on day two of the Gabba Test.
You can follow the live score of this first Ashes Test between Australia and England here and you can also post your comments and feedback below.
Australia’s decision to bat first was on expected lines. So was their top-order capitulation, which saw them lose five wickets for a mere 61 runs in a period of less than two hours.
It started with Shane Watson’s poke outside the off stump, that saw him nick Broad to the slips before Michael Clarke, David Warner, George Bailey and Steven Smith fell in quick succession to be reduced to 6/132 before tea.
The more things change, the more they remain the same and that’s how things panned out from then on.
With the top-order gone, it was left to the pair of Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson to rescue them from the mire.
Both scored half-centuries, taking full advantage of the fact Broad’s spell had ended, and added 114 runs for the seventh wicket.
Broad came on late in the day to send Johnson packing, by which time he had already carved out his eighth half-century and Australia had reached a position of relative safety.
Peter Siddle became the eighth casualty of the day and fifth to edge to the cordon behind him, to end the day at 8/273.
England’s objective will be to simply bowl Australia as quickly as possible and then bat long and hard. Whether they will be able to do that will be dependent on quite a few factors.
One, the top-order needs to get back to their scoring ways. If their batting in the previous Ashes series is anything to go by, the Australian bowling will think they have a chance.
Both Alastair Cook and Jonathon Trott did not have a great time, while Michael Carberry is only in his second Test.
Secondly, there were times during the first day’s play where the pitch looked flat but there were also others when batsmen had to dig their heels in a bid to overcome the difficulties.
The Australian batsmen failed to that effect, but does that mean that England will fare any better?
Most importantly, in Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson, Australia have three bowlers, each of whom is capable to picking up a bagful.
Johnson’s half-century would have given him the confidence to test out the English top-order with his more controlled pace, while Siddle’s vigour and Harris’ swing will make for some compelling viewing.
First things first though and England would hope to break through the defences of the last two wickets as quickly as possible.
While the difference between a score of 300 and 325 may not be a lot in terms of runs, an extra 45 minutes of being in the field will be temperament-testing.
In fact, on a dry Gabba pitch, chasing a substantial score in the fourth innings could get sticky, which means Nathan Lyon could have a role to play later in the game.
And he will need every one of those runs Haddin, Harris and himself end up scoring on Friday.
An interesting second day of the Ashes summer ahead of us.
Follow the live score of this first Ashes between Australia and England from 10 am AEST. You can post your comments below.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Ben du Toit
Guest
What I mean is look at how mental that stadium was when you were playing good... Give your boys that same support from the word go... Look at Layton Hewitt. The Barmy army use to go mental, even when he was behind and it lifted him plenty of times... That's a personal feeling I guess.. Feel free to agree or disagree
Ben du Toit
Guest
Probably of subject but I just wanted to post this somewhere online.... I'm SA born living in England but, and it's a big but.. I am threw years of loving sport and supporting/watching a huge range of sport, cricket,rugby, athletics, snooker, you name it I love it. But I just want to say. I am a southern hemisphere all out supporter.. If its not South-Africa vs.. I will support a southern hemisphere team/player and I just hope Australia gets out this little slump, rugby in mind and third day ashes looks shakey.. C'mon wallabies! World sport is much better with the Aussies up there and I see their public is getting frustrated a bit.. Believe in your boys.. You have quality players in all sports.. In the rugby your team is youngish, stick with them. I see potential, you were unlucky against England. If the linesman got the line out call right and it didn't end with a try on the other side of pitch the game would've had a different dynamic. Your cricket teams had a transition but let the boys grow. I see the brisbon stadium is quiet. Where's the Barmy army?? Unconditional support... I'm not being condescending and hope it does not come across like that.. But although I understand the frustration, with believe and support the Aussies will rise again and add to the southern hemispheres sport heritage
Freddie
Guest
So that entire conversation that followed on from this has been deleted has it? Disgusting.
Johnno
Guest
I feel so vindicated today, I told yous all that England's top order was brittle and look what happened.
Peter
Roar Rookie
it takes all types
Zee
Roar Guru
Well we are one sided bats aren't we. So yesterday's cricketing analysis by Daily Mail was tongue in cheek? Oh Broad's a little sensitive? If You act like a fraud, and get treated like one. All this feisty, bitter banter is what gives the Ashes it edge. I apologize if I've cause offense, but its hardly anything that the English Supporters would be foreign too. 'Poms' is a racist term? Its used in the media, we got taught this term at school, If anyone thought for a second the English were offended by our "POM" term than I think something would've be said a while back. At least KP is acknowledging that the Indigenous people are the traditional owners of this land, by calling the rest of us convicts.. I will give him that. I will thoroughly. You are the first English person to acknowledge our play, rather than talk about England's self destruction .. Sweetie I have no hatred towards your country or your people, just your cricket team.. which is natural considering I am an Australian.
Freddie
Guest
Isn't it funny how the Australian media's coverage is always "tongue in cheek" and yet the English media's isn't? Perhaps you should ask English people if they agree that the abuse Broad has been copping is tongue in cheek? Pietersen responded with the convict taunt after being called a Pom, no doubt relentlessly by those hilarious Aussies who think that casual racism (not to mention how historically incorrect it is, hence "Real Poms") is just fine and dandy. Enjoy your moment today. Australia were by far the better side and deserve applause and even a little gloating. You are indeed, entitled to that. But go steady with the xenophobia. It's unpleasant.
Zee
Roar Guru
Brilliant, Brilliant day by our boys. Cheers for the in depth commentary Suneer
Zee
Roar Guru
We've been called convicts by a professional of the England side, I'm sure we are entitled to return the banter, am I not allowed or is this just England's god given right? No sweetie, I am not that sensitive, its great to generate debate. You have your opinions I have mine.. The Courier Mail's cover was tongue in cheek, I am talking about the serious analysis your so called cricketing experts are publishing. No matter what concluding end we come to, we will still disagree and continue the debate, and that's OK! I am a fair minded person, I have spoken of England's talent, but do you expect me to write rosy love letters to KP and Co? I am a little hot headed atm, and excited by this performance. Let me sit with that for a little before the tide turns
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Thanks Tom, though it's the Aussie bowlers you need to be thanking for the great day of cricket!
atgm
Guest
We r the champions my frnds we gonna fight tillthe end
MervUK
Guest
indeed, but lets hope the regular posters come back to the roar, and provide some real insight.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Not in the last nine Tests for sure. Probably against Sri Lanka in the home series and in that game against South Africa that Faf du Plessis managed to draw.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
It's been a day to remember for the Aussies. A day things turned around drastically for them after nine Tests of trying. It hadn't looked so good for them at 295 all out but the pitch had something in it from the very start and the Aussie bowlers took toll. First they dried up the runs and then, when they got the opening in the form of the wicket of KP, they were unrelenting. Johnson did not have a great first spell as he looked to get used to life back at the Test level but once he found his rhythm and in turn, some confidence, it was the English batsmen who had to try and get used to him. They did not. Wickets fell like nine pins in the second session, with England losing six wickets for nine runs at one stage. That they even managed to avoid the follow-on against a score of 295 was thanks to Broad's fighting 32. In the end, they were bowled out for 136, thanks to what was a combination of good bowling by Johnson and Lyon and a defensive mindset by most batsmen. Warner and Rogers dug in well and extended the advantage by remaining not-out by the end of the day's play. Warner's on 45 and he will get his second chance to make a half-century in this game after missing out in the first essay. Day three will begin with Australia at 0/65 and a lead of 224 in hand.
Jo M
Guest
True, but when was the last time we had a score like this and a little bit of momentum.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
great day for the Aussies. We need another good one tomorrow now.
Tom from Perth
Guest
What a great day of cricket! Thanks Suneer.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
On the pads, flicked away by Rogers to the leg side for a couple of runs and Australia end the second day's play on 0/65.