Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 It's the start of the first of two Ashes series' this year today. England win the toss on the opening day and elect to bat first. With an overcast sky, but a nice pitch for batting, it'll be interesting to see how both teams do today.Big team news shock comes from the Australia Camp: They elect to recall all-rounder Steve Smith, as well as handing a debut to 19-year old spinner Ashton Agar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 FULL TEAM NEWS FOR THE FIRST TESTEngland: A Cook (capt), J Root, J Trott, K Pietersen, I Bell, J Bairstow, M Prior, S Broad, G Swann, S Finn, J Anderson.Australia: S Watson, C Rogers, E Cowan, M Clarke (capt), P Hughes, S Smith, B Haddin, P Siddle, J Pattinson, M Starc, A Agar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 England to win the series. Looking at form, individual talents, the teams, and the home advantage; EVERYTHING points to an England win.However, this is the Ashes, so I can't help but feel there will be one or two spanners in the works. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 England captain Alastair Cook: "Hopefully on this wicket we can put a good score on the board. [steven Finn's selection] he bowled very well in the Essex match but it's a tough call for the other guys. [Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow] I see a lot of excitement, there are some nerves as well obviously but it's great occasion and one we should all enjoy, it's been a great build-up but now it's time to play some cricket."Australia captain Michael Clarke: "I would have batted but I don't mind bowling, there should be a bit of swing with the new ball and you've got to take 20 wickets. [Agar's selection] it's maybe a surprise to some but not to us he's bowled really well leading up to this match, England have a lot of right handers so I think he can play a big part in taking 20 wickets. Our chairman made it clear we had the option to bring other players in. [David Warner's omission] He's been batting very well in the nets but it's obviously hard when you've had no match practice." Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Michael Clarke looked very focused. He needs to have the series of his life if Australia are to have any chance whatsoever. He literally might need to carry the batting lineup when it starts to crumble. He can't afford to score less than 50 more than once. Over five tests against Swann and Anderson? Easier said than done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 James Pattinson bowling the first over of the series. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 End of First Over: Eng 2-0That's a solid opening over, Pattinson recovers well from bowling a wide first ball to only concede one from the following six.Mitchell Starc is bowling from the other end. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 End of Second Over: Eng 6-0First boundary of the day goes to Ali Cook, who on the fourth ball of the over swipes across the pads, through mid-off for four. Everything else is a dot ball. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 I am going to stop giving over-by-over summations.I'll just post if something interesting happens.The ball is swinging, if Australia can take a few early wickets then the decision to bat from Cook will rightly be called into question. It's supposed to brighten up from tomorrow, so if Anderson doesn't get a chance to bowl when it's swinging I don't think he'll be too impressed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 End of Third Over: Eng 6-0Joe Root struggling with the length being given by the Aussies, here.Any nerves he may have will not be helped by the fact he's yet to score from 11 deliveries. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 End of Fifth Over: Eng 14-0Joe Root finally gets off the mark with a four behind the wicket. He gets another four with the last ball of the over. Pattinson bowling pretty well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainAmerica18 846 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Cook goes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Cook gone for just 13!b. Pattinson c. HaddinEng 27-1Swipes at a good delivery and it nicks to Haddin behind. He takes an easy catch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGM_72 3,631 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Pattinson looking right up for it. The little bit of history between him and England is obviously playing a part in that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Pattinson looking right up for it. The little bit of history between him and England is obviously playing a part in that.Pattinson looks fired up, if he keeps this up then this series could be a lot closer than expected. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 An hour into the first test.13 Overs, England 39-1 (Econ: 3 per over).Michael Clarke the happier of the two captains I'd say. Cook is a big wicket and the bowlers are playing well. Grab another wicket or two before lunch and it's a good session for the Aussies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RancidCutlass 190 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 I can think of worse fortnights to be stopping for my holidays and being too skint to go away.Will be watching a lot of cricket from Saturday onwards. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainAmerica18 846 Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Welcome to test cricket Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Welcome to test cricket Indeed Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Australia have impressed me with the ball thus far, look like they'll be able to take the 20 wickets. Certainly look a lot better than the toothless attack of last series. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 England starting to score relatively comfortably at the moment, Australia could really use a wicket. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Root gone!Peter Siddle bowls him for 30.Eng 78-2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 That has come from absolutely nowhere.England were plodding along quite comfortably but Root has looked uncomfortable with full length deliveries today, and this was no different.An absolute peach of a yorker. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 That's the positive side of picking Peter Siddle.He's relatively expensive for a test bowler, and hasn't been in great form, but he's always the one who seems to take those wickets from absolutely nowhere. Will be interesting to see how England recover.KP out to join Trott at the crease. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creampuff 22,628 Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 Haddin really should have taken KP there . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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