Anderson and Tremlett too good for Australia, as England lead in Melbourne
The first day of the Melbourne Test proved to be a nightmare for Australia, as the whole Australian side was dismissed for just 98 runs in their first innings. After the third Test, it was thought that Australia had rediscovered their form and had acquired
the momentum that was missing in their players.
Instead it was England, who once again showed that nothing can match a consistent and a professional performance. Australia will be looking for some hide out to save themselves from the wrath of their fans, as it will take a miracle from their players to
save the Melbourne Test. None of the Australian batsmen were able to play the English bowlers with confidence, and struggled to get off the mark.
Australia started their innings with some hiccups, and from the start found it difficult to play against the English bowlers. The English bowlers have bowled exceptionally well in the series, and apart from Hussey none of the Aussie batsmen have played them
with ease. The first day proved to be another good one for England, as they dismissed the Aussies in just 42 overs. England started exceptionally well and all their bowlers were bowling a consistent line in their opening spells. Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, who has batted
well in the series, found it difficult to handle the pace and bounce and was found wanted on number of occasions. His innings came to an end on just five runs, when he failed to play a bouncy delivery from Tremlett, and was caught by Pietersen at gully.
Phil Hughes played a couple of shots before he was dismissed by Tim Bresnen for 16.Bresnen took his first wicket of the series when he dismissed Hughes, who edged one to gully. In the next over, the Australian Captains disappointing tour continued, as he
again did not add much to the total and was dismissed for just 10 runs. It was a beautiful delivery from Tremlett, as the ball moved away from Ponting, who edged it to second slip position. It was turning out to be another disastrous start for Australia.
Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey provided the highest partnership of the Australian innings, and looked promising for a little while. However it was nothing more than a sad story for the Australian batsmen, as their poor form continued in the series. Anderson,
who has bowled well in the series, came to the party with other English bowlers and took next the three wickets for England. Anderson again showed his mastery over swing bowling, and bowled splendidly on the off side. He first dismissed Hussey (8) with a delivery
that moved away, and took an edge to the keeper. A few overs later it was Smith was dismissed in similar fashion for six runs. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 struck a few boundaries for his 20 runs, before he was caught by Matt Prior off the bowling of Anderson.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 was struggling at 77 for six, and it was up to Brad Haddin to save his side. However he was not able to repeat his Brisbane feat, as he was caught at first slip off the bowling of Bresnan. England took no time in dismissing the rest of the Australian
batsmen, and the whole team was dismissed for just 98 in their first innings. The English bowlers were too good for the Australians, as they again showed their fighting spirit in the series. Tremlett and Anderson were the pick of the English bowlers, and both
of them picked four wickets each.
Almost all the Australian batsmen were dismissed on the off side, and this is something which they will have to be careful of in their second innings. England in response started confidently, and reached a score of 157-0 at the end of the day. Alastair Cook
(80 not out) and Andrew Strauss (64 not out) batted well for England, and were looking good to build a big lead in their first innings.
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