Before the start of the 2010 Ashes, the media all around the world was praising the recent performances of the English team and its current form and there was a lot of criticism of the Australian team which was on the back of 3
straight Test defeats. The Australian team has come under fire after a long time as they have been the supreme cricketing force for the last 15 years, ruling the world of cricket with complete dominance.
England went into the Ashes as the favorites this time even though they were beaten 0-5 last time the Ashes were played Down Under.
England Captain Andrew Strauss won the toss on day 1 of the 1st test of the Ashes and decided to bat. The conditions were ideal for Test cricket as the wicket favoured both batsmen and ballers. England had to face an
early setback as Captain Andrew Strauss was dismissed in the very first over of the series by Hilfenhaus.
Cook and Trott steadied the English ship from then onwards before http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 bowled Trott out when he was on 29. Kevin Pieterson who has been under scrutiny by the media for a loss of form, came to the crease with positive intent.
He along with Cook took the English team to a reasonable position before lunch. England was at 117 for the loss of 2 wickets at one stage before the Peter Sidle show started who was celebrating his 26th birthday. He initially sent back Pieterson
and Collingwood, who are considered to be the two most important English wickets.
England was struggling at 125 for 4 when Bell and Cook formed a nice partnership between themselves. Till tea, the situation was slightly in favor of Australia as England was at 172 for 4. But the situation changed completely in
favor of the Aussies when Peter Siddle took his first hat-trick in international cricket, dismissing Cook, Prior and Broad .It could not have been a better time for Siddle to get a test hat-trick as it was the 1st day of the Ashes and his birthday.
England slumped from 197 for 4 to 197 for 7. They were all out for 260. Ian Bell was the top-scorer with 76 and Alastair Cook scored 67. The star of the show was Peter Siddle who took 6 wickets including a hat-trick and the debutant
Xavier Doherty took 2 wickets.
Australia had to just bat out 7 overs which they did so without any hiccups. Shane Watson and Simon Katich will resume the innings tomorrow with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 on 25 for no loss. Without a doubt the 1st day has belonged to
Australia and England will have to play catch-up. A lot will rely on James Anderson and Graeme Swann tomorrow if England is to get back into this Test match. Australia will be looking to pounce on this opportunity and take a big 1st innings lead.
Let’s wait and see what is installed for us on the 2nd day of the most awaited series of the year.
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