Ashes - said to be the most rivaled cricket series, has began and the first test of the five match series has ended in draw, with England's lower order saving the day.
I want readers to analyse the first match with me through the comment section. First we will start with England.
England:
Saving a match with just one wicket to spare on the last day of the test, knowing the other team is behind you, should give a lot of self confidence & belief. By any stretch of imagination the series is not over and when England face a same situation, they would fancy themselves to bail out.
The lower order for England has shown a lot of grit & courage to fight it out in the middle with bat, which came good on both the innings. Anderson & Paneasar fought it out in the final overs of Day 5 to save the test. But for me Swann was the player who impressed me with his inning of 47 off 40 and 31 off 63 and looked comfortable too.
Paul Collingwood, arguably been the best batsmen for England in first test in both the innings. When the wickets were falling on the other side, it was for him that England should thank for saving the first test with a monumental innings of 74 off 245 balls (almost played 41 overs).
There is nothing much for England to take back form this tests, for most part of their bowling looked flat and lacked consistency. Australia batted wicketless for 44 overs when Hadding & North were batting. England should improve their bowling if they want to make any impression this series. With Andrew Fintoff nursing an injury all is not looking good for the English.
Australia:
Australia, said to be having their worst touring side for the ashes, looked to be the only side which could have won the match. Their batting came good with all their star players making runs (Kaitch, Ponting, Clarke, North, Haddin) and 4 of them made 100.
North, looking impressive in his innings of 125 not, playing a patient knock and punishing anything in his zone. He scored his 2nd century, in his very young career of two matches. He seems to be a good player of spin as well, perfect for a lower middle order batsmen.
Ricky ponting, scoring a scorching 150 with 14 boundaries and a 6, looked to be in great touch. It is good for Australia & Ponting that he has crossed the 11000 run milestone in the earlier part of the series, he can play without any extra pressure.
Other centurions, Kaitch & Hadding also looked good, as the other 2 Austalians making up the 4 member centurion list.
The off spinner Nathan Hauritz looked good, Australian spin attack touted to be their weak link in this ashes, has been the most impressive of the spinners and highest wicket taker for the match with 6 wickets (3 in each). Look out for him the next matches.
Some tactical errors, at the end of the fifth day cost Australia the match, Why was Johnson & Hilfenhus not given the ball in the last few overs when Monty & Anderson were playing. Even though Johnson looked out of sorts, he is Aussies best bowler in that line up.
Australia dominating most part of the match, would feel hard done in setlling for a draw, and could affect their morale. Knwoing the Aussies, it would not affect them too much and its a fresh day come 16 th the july.
I want readers to analyse the first match with me through the comment section. First we will start with England.
England:
Saving a match with just one wicket to spare on the last day of the test, knowing the other team is behind you, should give a lot of self confidence & belief. By any stretch of imagination the series is not over and when England face a same situation, they would fancy themselves to bail out.
The lower order for England has shown a lot of grit & courage to fight it out in the middle with bat, which came good on both the innings. Anderson & Paneasar fought it out in the final overs of Day 5 to save the test. But for me Swann was the player who impressed me with his inning of 47 off 40 and 31 off 63 and looked comfortable too.
Paul Collingwood, arguably been the best batsmen for England in first test in both the innings. When the wickets were falling on the other side, it was for him that England should thank for saving the first test with a monumental innings of 74 off 245 balls (almost played 41 overs).
There is nothing much for England to take back form this tests, for most part of their bowling looked flat and lacked consistency. Australia batted wicketless for 44 overs when Hadding & North were batting. England should improve their bowling if they want to make any impression this series. With Andrew Fintoff nursing an injury all is not looking good for the English.
Australia:
Australia, said to be having their worst touring side for the ashes, looked to be the only side which could have won the match. Their batting came good with all their star players making runs (Kaitch, Ponting, Clarke, North, Haddin) and 4 of them made 100.
North, looking impressive in his innings of 125 not, playing a patient knock and punishing anything in his zone. He scored his 2nd century, in his very young career of two matches. He seems to be a good player of spin as well, perfect for a lower middle order batsmen.
Ricky ponting, scoring a scorching 150 with 14 boundaries and a 6, looked to be in great touch. It is good for Australia & Ponting that he has crossed the 11000 run milestone in the earlier part of the series, he can play without any extra pressure.
Other centurions, Kaitch & Hadding also looked good, as the other 2 Austalians making up the 4 member centurion list.
The off spinner Nathan Hauritz looked good, Australian spin attack touted to be their weak link in this ashes, has been the most impressive of the spinners and highest wicket taker for the match with 6 wickets (3 in each). Look out for him the next matches.
Some tactical errors, at the end of the fifth day cost Australia the match, Why was Johnson & Hilfenhus not given the ball in the last few overs when Monty & Anderson were playing. Even though Johnson looked out of sorts, he is Aussies best bowler in that line up.
Australia dominating most part of the match, would feel hard done in setlling for a draw, and could affect their morale. Knwoing the Aussies, it would not affect them too much and its a fresh day come 16 th the july.
(Don't forget to catch all the action from Ashes here, with highlights & latest Pics)
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