Wednesday 1 December 2010

Ashes Series 2010/2011: Australia v England Second Test Scores, Commentary & Twitter Updates from Adelaide - 2010/2011

Ashes Series 2010/2011: 

Australia v England Second Test.


Scores, Commentary & Twitter Updates from The Adelaide Oval - December 3-7, 2010.



ENGLAND have won the Second Test by an Innings & 71 Runs. 
Full Recap below.
Make sure you check out our Daily Winners & Losers from the 2nd Test Below.

Welcome to the dedicated Ashes Page for the Second Test of the 2010/2011 Ashes Series between Australia & England from the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide.

There will be Pages like this set up for every Test. 
Australia & England Drew the First Test in Brisbane.
England Won the Second Test in Adelaide.
England lead Series 1-0. 
Click here for the 1st Test Review


 SECOND TEST SCORES 
 Complete 
V
Australia 1st Innings: 245 All Out from 85.5 Overs. 
England 1st Innings: 5 dec. 620 from 152.0 Overs.
Australia 2nd Innings: 304 from 99.1 Overs.
England 2nd Innings: Not Required.
England won by an Innings & 71 Runs
England's Kevin Pietersen is Man of the Match with 228 & 1/10.
WHO TAKES THE EDGE FROM THE MATCH?
ENGLAND
WHY?
It was ALL ENGLAND at the Adelaide Oval. From the opening 3 overs when Australia were 3/2 - England were in command and thoroughly deserved their victory. Kevin Pietersen was the star with 228 and a crucial wicket late on Day 4, and was ably supported by the unflappable Alastair Cook (148) and talented duo Jonathan Trott 78 & Ian Bell 68* as England piled on 620 runs in their 1st Innings. Australia's 245 was never enough and if not for the form of Michael Hussey 93 & 52 - Australia would've been in even deeper poop. Australia's 304 in the 2nd Innings saw the game finish before England had to bat again but was a reflection of the difference between the two teams - with both bat & ball.
The only downside for England is the series ending injury to Stuart Broad (side-strain). Australia have also lost Simon Katich (Achilles) for the duration as well.
Expect changes for both teams in Perth for the 3rd Test but one gets the feeling England will have just one change while Australia might have plenty.
Advantage England.
2010/2011 ASHES MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE SERIES POINTS - 2nd Test
Note: These 5-2-1 Votes are for IMPACT on the Test Match - not necessarily based solely on their individual player rating in the match. There is a Player of the Series Award based on the Player Ratings and this MVP Award based on IMPACT in each Test over the course of the Series. But it is of course possible for one player to take out both awards. 
5 - Kevin PIETERSEN, England
Dominant innings with 228 Runs. Came in with England already on top and took the game away from Australia with one of the best innings to watch in recent memory. Outstanding performance and added the crucial wicket of Michael Clarke late on Day 4 for good measure. wdnicolson.blogspot.com.
2 - Alastair COOK, England
Produced another innings where he didn't look like getting out and finished with 148 Runs. His partnerships with Trott & Pietersen were the platforms for the English victory and he is the leading run scorer for the series with 450 Runs in 3 Innings. wdnicolson.blogspot.com.
1 - Jimmy ANDERSON, England
Destroyed the Australian top order on Day 1 by removing Ponting & Clarke cheaply and came back on after lunch to get Watson. Finished with 4/51 in Australia's 1st Innings then came out and tore through the lower order on Day 5 by removing Haddin & Harris with consecutive deliveries. The best bowler of the series so far and a difference maker here. wdnicolson.blogspot.com.

MVP of the Series Progress Points After 2 Tests:
7 Points - Alastair COOK ENG; 5 Points - Kevin PIETERSEN ENG; 2 Points - Michael HUSSEY AUS; 1 Point - Jimmy ANDERSON ENG & Peter SIDDLE AUS.

Winners & Losers from Every Day of the 2nd Test are available below.

Here are The Second Test RATINGS
Note: There will be a Player of the Series Award based on the Player Ratings and an MVP Award based on IMPACT over the course of the Series. It is of course possible for one player to take out both awards. All Ratings out of 10.
AUSTRALIA - 2nd Test Ratings
Simon KATICH - 6
Shane WATSON - 7
Ricky PONTING (c) - 2
Michael CLARKE - 6
Michael HUSSEY - 8
Marcus NORTH - 4
Brad HADDIN - 6
Peter SIDDLE - 4
Xavier DOHERTY - 3
Doug BOLLINGER - 3
Ryan HARRIS - 6
Ben HILFENHAUS (12th Man)
ENGLAND - 2nd Test Ratings
Alastair COOK - 9
Andrew STRAUSS (c) - 5
Jonathan TROTT - 8
Kevin PIETERSEN - 10
Paul COLLINGWOOD - 7
Ian BELL - 8
Matt PRIOR - 6
Stuart BROAD - 6
Graeme SWANN - 8
James ANDERSON - 9
Steven FINN - 7
Tim BRESNAN (Likely 12th Man)
Player of the Series Ratings Progress Points after 2 Tests:
Alastair COOK 19, Michael HUSSEY 18, Kevin PIETERSEN 17, Jimmy ANDERSON 17, Jonathan TROTT 17 & Ian BELL 16.

IN GAME TWEETS - Available again for the 2nd Test from Adelaide.

There'll be scores from during and at the close of play on each day updated on this page and simply follow the Twitter Feed below for regular commentary on the match.

Please note although The NRL Tweet deals mainly in news relating to the National Rugby League - it will have Cricket Tweets from the Ashes Series throughout the Summer.

The Tweets displayed on this page will only contain Ashes Tweets during the Test - they'll become dated in the days following the match so make sure you follow us on @nrltweet to stay up to date via Twitter.


Full Scoreboard updates during play below & Check out the Twitter Updates As Well.

For the Full Scorecard (Click for link to cricket.com.au)

MATCH SCORES
SECOND TEST - AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
 DAY FIVE - Stumps 
V
Australia 1st Innings: 245 All Out from 85.5 Overs. 
England 1st Innings: 5 dec. 620 from 152.0 Overs.
Australia 2nd Innings: 304 from 99.1 Overs.
England 2nd Innings: Not Required.
DAY FIVE 
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
At Stumps: | AUS 304 (M Clarke 80, S Watson 57, M Hussey 52, S Katich 43 | G Swann 5/91, S Finn 2/60, J Anderson 2/92) from 99.1 Overs & 245 (M Hussey 93, B Haddin 56, S Watson 51, M North 26 | J Anderson 4/51, G Swann 2/70) from 85.5 Overs LOST TO ENG 5 dec 620 (K Pietersen 227, A Cook 148, J Trott 78, I Bell 68*, P Collingwood 42 | R Harris 2/84) from 152 Overs.
DAY FIVE WINNERS/LOSERS
Winners - 
Graeme Swann, Jimmy Anderson, Steven Finn & Andrew Strauss.
Graeme Swann produces his first 5 wicket haul to help England knock Australia over before lunch on Day 5. Finished with 5/91 and looked every bit the world beating off-spinner he should on a turning 5th Day wicket. Toyed with the Australian tail - a huge factor with 3 Tests remaining.
Jimmy Anderson continues to look incredibly dangerous with the new ball. Got rid of Brad Haddin & Ryan Harris in consecutive balls but the way he did is the most impressive thing. A beautiful outswinger got right of Haddin who showed little footwork and then a big dipper to get Harris LBW when he didn't play a shot. Great fast swing bowling.
Steven Finn got the breakthrough by dismissing Michael Hussey to start the rot on Day 5. His line & length was sensational in his spell and with Stuart Broad done for the Series - this is a great sign Finn is ready to be the prime backup to Anderson for the rest of the series.
Andrew Strauss got it right after all. Well his bowlers did. The rain held off on Day 5 and England's skipper saw his bowlers do a brilliant job of knocking over the final six wickets required for victory and give England a 1-0 lead in the Series. That makes a Captain very happy.
Losers - 
Marcus North, Simon Katich & Stuart Broad.
Marcus North finished with 22 runs in the 2nd Innings and was Australia's last recognised batsman to be dismissed. Scored 26 in the 1st Innings so a match return of 48 runs isn't terrible... but it shouldn't be enough to keep his spot in the team for Perth.
Simon Katich played through the pain of what has been diagnosed as a partial Achilles Tear and his Ashes Series is over. It was a gutsy performance and having suffered that injury myself - he's got a long rehab ahead of him.
Stuart Broad if you saw the pictures of the bruise on his side - you can understand why he is being flown home to England after this Test. He is a key member of the English attack and a very handy #8 so he is a big loss for England. Luckily for them their attack is firing without him and Tim Bresnan isn't the worst replacement if England go for a bowler who can bat as his replacement. Chris Tremlett is the other option if England decide they want a bowler who can take advantage of a WACA track that might have some bounce.
WHO WON THE DAY'S PLAY?
Day Five - England
They won the Test Match in convincing fashion by Lunch on Day 5 - so of course it is England's Day!

For more on the English performance check out the Match Review Notes above.


SECOND TEST - AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
 DAY FOUR - Stumps 
V
Australia 1st Innings: 245 All Out from 85.5 Overs. 
England 1st Innings: 5 dec. 620 from 152.0 Overs.
Australia 2nd Innings: 4/238 from 79.2 Overs.
England 2nd Innings: 
DAY FOUR
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
At Stumps: | AUS 4/238 (M Hussey 44* & M North 0*) & 245 (M Hussey 93, B Haddin 56, S Watson 51, M North 26 | J Anderson 4/51, G Swann 2/70) from 85.5 Overs v ENG 5 dec 620 (K Pietersen 227, A Cook 148, J Trott 78, I Bell 68*, P Collingwood 42 | R Harris 2/84) from 152 Overs.
DAY FOUR WINNERS/LOSERS
Winners - 
Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Michael Hussey & Kevin Pietersen.
Ian Bell moved from 41* to 68* with ease as England put the foot down. Is making a case to move to #5 ahead of Paul Collingwood due to his vast strokeplay.
Matt Prior finally got an hit after lasting just one ball at the Gabba. Was sent in to tonk and finished on 27 from 21 balls with 2 boundaries. Needed a hit and got one without being under pressure.
Graeme Swann got the breakthrough by having Simon Katich caught behind playing a ball he didn't want to. Then removed Ricky Ponting with a top delivery to make sure England or a Draw were the only results possible. Finished with 2/72 from 34 overs.
Michael Hussey with yet another innings of style & substance. He is 44* and looms as yet again England's biggest roadblock to victory on Day 5.
Kevin Pietersen was dismissed early on Day 4 for 227 but his biggest contribution came with the last ball of the day dismissal of Michael Clarke for 80. He wanted the ball, got the ball and made something happen - Man of the Match is his unless somehow Australia win the match. Which is not going to happen.
Losers - 
Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson, Peter Siddle & Andrew Strauss.
Michael Clarke batted beautifully until he played a lazy shot in the last over of the day from Pietersen to be caught at bat pad by Cook. Had done everything he needed to do up until that point and looked like enhancing his case as the next Australian skipper but by getting out on what was the last ball of the day - I'm afraid 80 and OUT just doesn't leave you bathed in praise.
Ricky Ponting failed again with the bat. After a golden duck in the 1st Innings he lasted just 19 deliveries in the 2nd Innings before Graeme Swann undid him for 9. Must bounce back with runs at the WACA to avoid huge media scrutiny on his position in the team... as a batsman. Mind you he's still a great batsman but he must be leading this team from the front as skipper.
Shane Watson got another start and failed to go on with it. His forward push that often results in runs down to third man undid him again as he edged lamely to a wide slip for 57. Australia can't afford to have players get starts and not covert with their bowling attack as toothless as it is right now.
Peter Siddle (speaking of toothless bowlers) now has 0/211 from 54 overs since his 'hero hat-trick' in the 1st Innings at the Gabba. The effort is there but the results certainly are not. He's just not a big time bowler -no matter what his reputation may be. Had an LBW decision overturned but he's just not cutting it (mind you neither did Bollinger or Doherty).
Andrew Strauss didn't declare early enough... well if England win the Test before the rain comes on Day 5 it's perfect timing but if the weather intervenes... he may rue batting on for 40 minutes on Day 4.
WHO WON THE DAY'S PLAY?
Day Four - England
Despite batting through the first 40 minutes of Day 4 - a decision that may count against England if the rain hits Tuesday - England continued to be in control of the 2nd Test. Although Kevin Pietersen came & went early, Ian Bell & Matt Prior took advantage of a license to thrill - getting England to 5 declared for 620 - a lead of 375. Australia started well in reply before losing Simon Katich 43 & Ricky Ponting 8 back to back, then Shane Watson for 57 and finally Michael Clarke for 80 to the very part time spin of Pietersen on the final ball of the day. The Clarke-Michael Hussey (44*) partnership had just passed 100 and looked like the second most likely factor to see the game end in a draw (yes the weather is the most likely factor) but Clarke's moment of carelessness sees England back on top with just two recognised batsmen to come in Marcus North & Brad Haddin. Australia's long tail also counts against the hosts holding on - but England's biggest opposition appears to be the imminent rain on Day 5.

SECOND TEST - AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
 DAY THREE - Stumps 
V
Australia 1st Innings: 245 All Out from 85.5 Overs. 
England 1st Innings: 4/551 from 143.0 Overs.
Australia 2nd Innings: England 2nd Innings: 
DAY THREE
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
At Stumps: | ENG 4/551 (K Pietersen 213* & I Bell 41*) from 143 Overs v AUS 245 (M Hussey 93, B Haddin 56, S Watson 51, M North 26 | J Anderson 4/51, G Swann 2/70) from 85.5 Overs.
DAY THREE WINNERS/LOSERS
Winners - 
Kevin Pietersen, Alastair Cook, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Ryan Harris & Marcus North.
Kevin Pietersen took full advantage of starting the day on 85 Not Out, reached his 100 in a canter then ripped the Australian attack apart to end the day on 213 Not Out. He is a great batsman to watch in full flight and took full advantage of some very ordinary bowling & field placements to carve Australia up. Awesome innings.
Alastair Cook may have only added 12 runs to his overnight 136* but it took a great ball from Ryan Harris to dismiss him. Has a batting average of 225.00 this series along with 450 runs from 865 balls faced.
Paul Collingwood 42 & Ian Bell 41* came in with England already in command of the match but given both hadn't batted since Day 1 of the 1st Test - they batted without pressure and kept the scoreboard ticking over as Ricky Ponting kept looking to contain rather than break through the English middle order. Bell in particular was in top nick and wasted no time dishing out the punishment when a bad ball was presented.
Ryan Harris deserves plenty of praise for his 2/84 from 29 overs given he was the sole Australian fast bowler to look dangerous for any sustained period in the match. But a possible shoulder injury is a concern. Marcus North didn't get a wicket but he is currently the most adventurous spinner Australia has under consideration for a Test spot until Jason Krezja gets another chance. At least North flights the ball and gives himself a chance to make something happen... there are crazier thoughts than picking him as a #7 batsman and as Australia's spinner at the WACA for the 3rd Test.
Losers - 
Ricky Ponting, Doug Bollinger, Peter Siddle & Xavier Doherty.
Reactive Ricky was at his best again in the field as England piled on the pain once again. Ponting seems to have a good idea then ignore it and go with a 'we'll get a wicket through semi-containment' strategy and England's record post Day 1 of the 1st Test suggests that tactic isn't working. Refuses to throw the ball to a genuine part timer when his attack is offering little... which just drives that beaten attack into the ground even more.
Doug Bollinger (27 Overs 1/121) & Peter Siddle (26 overs 0/100) have both been very ordinary in this Test - particularly in the consistency aspect of their bowling. Bollinger hasn't been close to his best despite trying hard - and his lack of quality overs entering this series are telling right now. Siddle on the other hand opened his first spell of Day 3 with a barrage of short balls and was dispatched by Pietersen as a result. When he pitched it up the next couple of overs he looked far more threatening but Pietersen knew he had his measure and just waited for the bad ball... which he would then punish. Both have shown nothing in this Test Match that suggests they should play in Perth if Australia are fair dinkum about dropping players for not performing.
Xavier Doherty's Test Career is over. 24 overs for 120 runs and barely a threatening ball amongst his body of work. Bowls too flat and gets picked on. Next...
WHO WON THE DAY'S PLAY?
Day Three - England
Of course it is England - they're 4/551! Kevin Pietersen owned Day 3 and got great support from Collingwood and Bell as Australia continued to look a rudderless mess in the field. Andrew Strauss was planning to bat post-tea on Day 3 but the weather intervened - so now he must weigh up the value of quick runs early on Day 4. With a lead just over 300 - I believe England have enough to put Australia under pressure from the first ball of Day 4 but I'm not sure if Strauss is adventurous enough to do that. Remember - England had a chance to put Australia under far more pressure at the Gabba with an early declaration on Day 5 but played it safe. When you're 4/551 in reply to 245 at the close of Day 3 of the 2nd Test - I'm taking a run at a win above everything else. The worst case scenario is Australia score 400-500 and England need close to 200 in two sessions on Day 5... I'd back the current English batting lineup to get that.

 DAY TWO - Stumps 
V
Australia 1st Innings: 245 All Out from 85.5 Overs. 
England 1st Innings: 2/317 from 89 Overs. 
Australia 2nd Innings: England 2nd Innings: 

DAY TWO
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
At Stumps: | ENG 2/318 (Cook 136* & Pietersen 85*) from 89 Overs v AUS 245 (M Hussey 93, B Haddin 56, S Watson 51, M North 26 | J Anderson 4/51, G Swann 2/70) after 85.5 Overs.
DAY TWO WINNERS/LOSERS
Winners - 
Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott & Kevin Pietersen.
Alastair Cook with 136 Not Out now has 438 runs at 438.00 in just 3 innings over 2 Tests this summer. He doesn't look like he's going to tear the game apart but he's just done that by piling up the runs for England - despite entering the summer as England's most maligned batsman. His form is nothing short of astonishing and he's barely offered a chance since Peter Siddle dismissed him on Day One of the 1st Test.
Jonathan Trott adds another 78 runs to his series tally of 242 for the Series and up until Kevin Pietersen's belligerent 85 not out suggested otherwise - Trott was England's most potent batsman. Is great to watch when playing the ball to the on-side and England have a fine player on their hands at #3. Pietersen took advantage of some ordinary tactics by Ponting to pounce on some very average bowling and is all of a sudden within 15 runs of his first Test century in almost 30 innings.
Losers - 
Ricky Ponting, Xavier Doherty, Australian Selectors & Andrew Strauss.
Ricky Ponting won the toss and that remains his finest moment of the 2nd Test. Looks devoid of any wicket-taking ideas beyond hoping Alastair Cook will mis-time a hook and get caught in the deep. And that hasn't worked yet either. Why he choose to hand England runs with part timers as he 'waits' for the new ball is the reason Kevin Pietersen is now in form and that decision will hurt Australia throughout the series.
Xavier Doherty needs a bag of wickets on Day Three and probably again on Day Five to hold his spot in the team. Has bowled alright without looking dangerous and Australia just cannot afford to carry a player like that in such a key role of your first choice spinner. 
Australia's Selectors blew the bowling attack up and have twice as many wickets to show for it from the 2nd Innings in Brisbane. They've taken 2 wickets in Adelaide. Good call boys.
Andrew Strauss left one of the few good deliveries Doug Bollinger bowled on Day Two and was knocked over. Did score a century in the 2nd Innings in Brisbane but that big score is sandwiched by 0 & 1 so far this series. But the good news for Strauss is his batting order can do what their name suggests they should be able to do..
WHO WON THE DAY'S PLAY?
Day Two - ENGLAND
England made Day Two their own from ball four of the day onwards. Losing Strauss early had the potential to upset the England apple cart but should any of us have been surprised to see Cook & Trott make Australia's attack look very average once again... a few days after showing them to be fairly inept at the Gabba. Australia's changes to the attack didn't deliver any results that suggest this mix is going to dismiss England in a hurry on Day Three and Ponting looks to have zero ideas to try and break England's stranglehold over his bowlers. With Cook in rare form, Trott looking more dangerous than ever and now Pietersen is in imposing form coming in at 2/176 and keying England to 316 runs in a day. England can dictate the terms in this 2nd Test now - and they've been doing that for the opening two days as it was.
 DAY ONE - Stumps 
V
Australia 1st Innings: 245 All Out from 85.5 Overs. 
England 1st Innings: 0/1 from 1 Over. 
Australia 2nd Innings: England 2nd Innings: 
DAY ONE
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
At Stumps: | ENG 0/1 from 1 Over (Strauss 1* & Cook 0*) v AUS 245 (M Hussey 93, B Haddin 56, S Watson 51, M North 26 | J Anderson 4/51, G Swann 2/70) after 85.5 Overs.
DAY ONE WINNERS/LOSERS
Winners - 
James Anderson, Andrew Strauss, Michael Hussey & Graeme Swann.
Anderson took the prized wickets of Ponting & Clarke cheaply after Trott had run out Katich to leave Australia reeling at 3/2. He then returned after lunch to remove Watson and later in the day Siddle to finish with 4/51.
Strauss would not have been happy losing the toss at the Adelaide Oval but the fact he was batting by stumps on Day 1 makes the England Captain one happy man. Faces a big innings on Day 2 to ram home this advantage England has.
Hussey produced another fine innings when Australia needed it but fell 7 runs short of back to back Test hundreds. It was an innings of counter-attack from the in-form Australian #5 and he has become Australia's biggest wicket alongside Shane Watson after just 3 innings of the Series.
Swann didn't bowl great but he kept at it and removed Hussey with a spinning delivery and then was fortunate to get Ryan Harris next ball. Finished with 2/70 but wickets in consecutive balls will restock his self belief.
Losers - 
Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Steven Finn & Billy Doctrove.
Ponting won the toss and batted but it was all downhill from there. Edged his first ball to Swann at 2nd slip and watched all but 1 over from the grandstand.
Clarke entered the 2nd Test with a career batting average over 100 at the Adelaide Oval... his 2 runs in the 1st innings will bring that average down a bit. Wafted at a good but widish delivery and continues to struggle for runs at the all important #4 spot.
North did make it past 20 but failed to go on with it. While he did stand up somewhat when Australia were 4/96 with Watson's departure - he just didn't deliver the big score that Australia needed and the flowing partner Hussey needed at the other end. Scored his 26 runs of 93 deliveries and had a soft dismissal.
Finn took 6 wickets in Australia's 1st Innings at the Gabba but Ian Chappell was spot on about his length being too short and his line being too erratic to transfer to the next Test. Chappell noted that the wickets primarily came from short deliveries - needs to find his length in the 2nd Innings or Australia will take 71 from 16 overs with glee.
Doctrove is the 3rd Umpire for this match and despite a wealth (I didn't say it was good) technology at his finger tips ignored what appeared to be a certain edge on Ryan Harris's bat and adjudged the bowler LBW in a crucial decision the ball after Hussey was dismissed. The argument against the use of technology only gets stronger when even with the stupid thing - we still get it wrong. Just ask anyone who has watched a Video Referee stuff up time and time again in Rugby League.
WHO WON THE DAY'S PLAY?
Day One - ENGLAND
To have Australia reeling at 3 for 2 in the 3rd over of Day 1 at the Adelaide Oval meant that England were destined to win the day's play after 13 balls. Whether or not they can seize the initiative with the bat remains to be seen. Australia consolidated behind Michael Hussey 93, Shane Watson 51 & Brad Haddin 56 but a 1st Innings total of 245 looks at least 100 runs short of being competitive on a surface that looks very very good for batting. England bowled well throughout the day but when Simon Katich was run out without facing a ball in the opening over, then Ricky Ponting was out 1st ball and Michael Clarke edged to 2nd slip like Ponting a few minutes later - this was England's day. To finish the job and be batting on Day 1 - gives England a massive edge in the crucial 2nd Test of a Five Match Series.

2010/2011 ASHES MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE SERIES POINTS
Note: These 5-2-1 Votes are for IMPACT on the Test Match - not necessarily based solely on their individual player rating in the match. There is a Player of the Series Award based on the Player Ratings and this MVP Award based on IMPACT in each Test over the course of the Series. But it is of course possible for one player to take out both awards. 
5 - TBD
Check back at the end of the 2nd Test on wdnicolson.blogspot.com.
2 - TBD
Check back at the end of the 2nd Test on wdnicolson.blogspot.com.
1 - TBD
Check back at the end of the 2nd Test on wdnicolson.blogspot.com.

FIRST TEST REVIEW:
 FIRST TEST RECAP 
V
England 1st Innings: 260 All Out. 2nd Innings: 1 dec. 517
Australia 1st Innings: 481. 2nd Innings: 1/107.
The Match is a DRAW.
England's Alastair Cook is Man of the Match with 235* & 67.
WHO TAKES THE EDGE FROM THE DRAW?
ENGLAND
WHY?
Simply put Australia had England in a position to be beaten and England batted themselves out of it. In fact not only did England stymie the Australian push for victory but they quickly became the only team that could force a result as early on Day 5 (if not late on Day 4). 
Australia had three big moments in the Game - Strauss going 3rd ball on Day 1, Siddle's Hat-Trick & the Hussey-Haddin partnership - but didn't convert them into a victory.
England countered with having Australia 5/143 chasing 260, cleaning up the Australian tail for just 35 runs, opening their 2nd innings with 188 run stand and finishing their 2nd innings with an unbroken 329 run stand.
Advantage England.
We'll link the Daily Recaps by the ABC Grandstand Cricket Team on this page. Click to listen to the mp3 recap of 1st Test

Here are The First Test RATINGS
Note: There will be a Player of the Series Award based on the Player Ratings and an MVP Award based on IMPACT over the course of the Series. It is of course possible for one player to take out both awards. All Ratings out of 10.
AUSTRALIA - 1st Test Ratings
Simon KATICH - 7
Shane WATSON - 6
Ricky PONTING (c) - 6
Michael CLARKE - 4
Michael HUSSEY - 10
Marcus NORTH - 4
Brad HADDIN - 8
Mitchell JOHNSON - 3
Peter SIDDLE - 7
Ben HILFENHAUS - 6
Xavier DOHERTY - 5
Doug BOLLINGER (12th Man)
ENGLAND - 1st Test Ratings
Alastair COOK - 10
Andrew STRAUSS (c) - 8
Jonathan TROTT - 9
Kevin PIETERSEN - 7
Paul COLLINGWOOD - 5
Ian BELL - 8
Matt PRIOR - 6
Stuart BROAD - 6
Graeme SWANN - 5
James ANDERSON - 8
Steven FINN - 7
Tim BRESNAN (12th Man)

2010/2011 ASHES MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE SERIES POINTS
Note: These 5-2-1 Votes are for IMPACT on the Test Match - not necessarily based solely on their individual player rating in the match. There is a Player of the Series Award based on the Player Ratings and this MVP Award based on IMPACT in each Test over the course of the Series. But it is of course possible for one player to take out both awards. 
5 - Alastair COOK, England
Full credit to the Englishman who came into the Series being seen as the weak link in the batting order only to emerge from the Gabba with 302 runs in almost 1000 minutes at the crease. His 67 in the 1st innings was a good knock but his 235* in the 2nd was commanding. He never looked like he would tear the Australian attack apart yet in his own way he did just that - accumulating runs at a rate of 55 per 100 balls and punishing the bad delivery throughout. His 329 run partnership with Jonathan Trott (135*) was outstanding and helped Cook walk away with Man of the Match Honours both officially and on wdnicolson.blogspot.com.
2 - Michael HUSSEY, Australia
What an outstanding innings when the press and a lot of supporters wanted him punted heading into the Test Match. Had it not been for Cook's incredible 235* - Hussey's innings would hold a place of its own in Ashes History. But it's not all bad - in a game that featured two partnerships in excess of 300 and one of 188 - we got treated to some superb batting. Hussey's 195 from 330 balls with 26 Fours & 1 Six was simply sensational. Also took a huge catch on the 3rd ball of Day 1 to dismiss Andrew Strauss - imagine the way the game could've gone if he'd dropped that regulation gully chance?
1 - Peter SIDDLE, Australia
Features solely for his memorable Hat-Trick but sadly was not seen in the 2nd Innings when Australia desperately needed him to back it up. Make no mistake - a Hat-Trick is an incredible feat but I am still yet to be convinced Siddle is anything more than the toiler we've seen over the past 18 months - as opposed to the 6/56 guy we saw in the 1st Innings at the Gabba.