The first 2 days of the 1st Ashes test at Brisbane has definitely lived up to the potential it promised. At the close of play on day 1, Australians were 25 without loss, needing 235 more runs to match the 1st innings total of England.
The match was beautifully poised with Australia having a slight edge as they managed to bowl out England on a cheap score. At the start of day 2, the Aussie openers took a good start and gave http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 an opening stand of 78 runs before James Anderson struck.
That was the start of a mini-collapse of the middle-order. The best part about the English bowling was that they never allowed the run-rate to slip out of their grasp.
Shane Watson and Simon Katich would be disappointed that they did not cash in to the start that they got. Katich was dismissed just after completing his half-century and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 scored 36. After the departure of the openers, Australians were in trouble at
one stage as they had lost 5 of their batsmen with only 143 runs on the board.
Michael Hussey and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin started to develop a nice partnership. It was imperative as they were the last recognised pair for the Aussies. Hussey came to the crease with his team in trouble but he remained positive throughout the innings
and showed good intent.
At the close of play on day 2, Hussey and Haddin were still at the crease and they had taken the score to 220 with five wickets in hand. Hussey was not out on 81 and Haddin will start his innings on Saturday on 22. Hussey struck 13 fours and a six during
his knock and he would love to convert it into three figures on Day 3. On the other hand, Haddin is usually a fluent stroke-maker but he was quite defensive as he was playing a second fiddle to Hussey.
Anderson and Finn took 2 wickets each with the off-spinner Graeme Swann taking 1 scalp. English bowlers bowled pretty well to make a comeback in the match but they would be disappointed that they let Hussey and Haddin settle into a partnership. Without that
partnership, England would have been in a dominant position.
Anderson and company would be looking to rap-up the Australian innings before they go too much ahead of the English 1st innings total and Hussey and Haddin would be looking to give their team a sizeable lead so that they can put pressure on the
English batting in the 2nd innings. Day 2 was evenly matched but because of the Aussie bowling on day, Australia still has an edge over England. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for an intriguing day ahead.
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