Australia vs England: The Ashes highlights, live scores, blog - 1st Test, Day 1

Cheers, rellum. In that case, as you were - positive result one way or another is most likely and we should know the direction of travel after a couple of hours of Day 2.

Storms are not a concern, they happen all the time. Just means we loose an hour or so if one does come along. The ground staff know when one is coming and make sure the pitch is covered plus the ground drains in no time. The weather has been quite cool for this time of year so any storms will probably lack the energy to get really big. The only day I can see with any storm forecasts is the last day as well so I don't they will be an issue.

England will end-up scoring around 350 in the first innings.

Atlast both Stoneman and Ironman gone!

We won't be able to tell who stands better until around lunchtime tomorrow, I don't think. If England look set to get somewhere near double their current score, then it's their advantage, batting first with runs on the board and heavy pressure on more than one member of the Australian top 7. If, on the other hand, they fold up for around 250-280, Australia are going to have to bat spectacularly badly to let what would be a very strong position slip. The tactics and strategies are already fascinating - England are clearly taking the long view and hoping to take the game as deep as possible and expose the four-man Aussie bowling line-up to as much work as they can. Will be very interesting to see how well the Aussie physios have done their job on the recently fragile physiques of a couple of the attack, who could have bowled around thirty overs apiece by the time they get off the field. Having said that, I like the way that Australia accepted trench warfare for the day, instead of trying to blast the oppo out; there was some good thinking going on out there, particularly in the second half of the day. One thing I've noticed, having had a look at long-range forecasts for Brisbane for the next few days (thousands of miles away, admittedly), is that there seems to be the threat of thunderstorms on at least two of the four scheduled remaining days. Would any of you lot who live a bit closer to the ground be able to confirm or deny this? How bad might it get - I still remember that Biblical deluge that wrote off a Gabba Test about twenty years ago and wonder whether we might be in for something similar?

Good humour George!

I reckon honours are even, can’t understand why a road of a pitch was prepared with our bowling lineup. This was not a typical Gabba wicket where there is usually something decent for the bowlers, still may happen in the next day or two. Good hard fought day of toil by both teams.

David is an A grade wacker, but he has a point about 4 bowlers, it is a big worry, particularly at Adelaide, etc. Great link Rellum. What I saw today was fast bowlers bowling too short, not bouncers, just 1-2 metres.

Fascinating in some parts, the rain and a slower pitch led it to be a duller in others. As the pitch sped up though the last session was great cricket, and I can’t wait for tomorrow. Lyno and Cummins bowling excellently

Here is an article from Chris Hartley from a few years ago now talking about the pitch. http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/590017.html It seems relevant to today's wicket. I think what Harts is describing is more a thing of this century because I seem to remember a few Shield decks that were green and hard in the 80's and 90's. Maybe it was different from the stands and TV than being out there though.

In my view, a disappointing day for Australia. With only 4 bowlers, England's plan was clearly to wear them down for this game and the series - they succeeded with this (losing only 4 wickets). Also disappointed with the wicket - not good for a day one wicket at the Gabba (and don't give me excuses about the weather). Paine will need to lift his game, that was a straight forward catch for a test keeper (Wade wouldn't have caught it but Neville would - not sure about other contenders but they are not test standard yet). Hazelwood had an average day but we can forgive him for one or two as he's been one of the best for a while. We need early wickets tomorrow as runs will flow quicker if the middle order gets set. From here, England could be all out for 280 or 6/450 at tea.

With Joe Root back in the shed, Australia are in front. Malan is more important than Ali as he's made more runs in Aus and Ali is underdone. Bairstow and Woakes are hot and cold. The slowness of the scoring isn't because of bowler's accuracy or threat-Lyon aside- so there will be perceived pressure to score . I thought Starc was as ineffectual as Hazlewood .He just didn't bowl where he had to be hit,so he was treated with respect when maybe he didn't need to be.Cook just looked like a standing wicket so no great treasure there.

Two first timer englanders in Australia scoring 50 on first attempt? Wonder when that last happened? Sailor Malan could make it a third.

T

Yeah I actually thought Malan looked pretty good

Unfair on Malan. Looked solid and put the bad ball away.

Interesting isn't it that of their bats today, it was the unknowns doing the scoring; the ones we were all unsure of before the series, and the known star batsmen in Cook and Root failing to contribute.

Thanks Scott, great stuff.