[Cricket] First Ashes Test - England v Australia - Cardiff

[Simster]

These are useful runs, but Australia won't mind in some ways because it looks like a 500+ pitch to me, especially in these conditions for a side containing the world's best batsman on a pitch that isn't offering anything to either the quicks or swing bowlers.

 

[Badger]

Looking forward to Broad edging Johnson through the slips in his next over. Twice, ideally.

Moeen doing something similar to Starc for his 50

 

[pasty]

He's done it!!!!

Oh, go on then....

[YT]oEY8bK1UyEM[/YT]

 

[Titanic]

50 partnership for Ali and Broad

52 runs, 11.0 overs, RR: 4.72 (Ali 34, Broad 18)

England 395-7

 

[Titanic]

These are useful runs, but Australia won't mind in some ways because it looks like a 500+ pitch to me, especially in these conditions for a side containing the world's best batsman on a pitch that isn't offering anything to either the quicks or swing bowlers.

I fancy Jimmy Anderson will bowl with more control than the Mitchells.

Lyon on... and a wicket goes... good catch by Haddin... Broad thrashes at the first ball and gets an edge.

395-8

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Broad Out caught behind trying to slog sweep Lyons.

 

[Simster]

I fancy Jimmy Anderson will bowl with more control than the Mitchells.

Lyon on... and a wicket goes... good catch by Haddin... Broad thrashes at one and get and edge.

395-8

You need two front line bowlers to bowl with control on a pitch like this if you're going to take wickets. Even if Anderson bowls well, we're looking for either Wood or Broad to bowl well at the other end.

 

[Titanic]

England 400-8 (97.4 overs RR 4.10)

 

[Billy the Fish]

Stupid shot from broad. All he had to do is knock it into the gaps and keep the scoreboard ticking over. I don't think you can consider lower order runs as a bonus anymore, our number 8 is a proper batsman and 9 10 11 are all capable of sticking around and getting him on strike

 

[Pavilionaire]

Ton up Johnson, now ton up Starc!

I haven't seen the Mitchells roughed up like this since the days of Eddie Royal in the Queen Vic c 1999.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Why did Wood take a single off the last ball of the over, especially when Ali had risked a run-out scampering a single off the 5th ball of the over?

 

[Titanic]

Stupid shot from broad. All he had to do is knock it into the gaps and keep the scoreboard ticking over. I don't think you can consider lower order runs as a bonus anymore, our number 8 is a proper batsman and 9 10 11 are all capable of sticking around and getting him on strike

He batted like that throughout the 50 partnership... it was just what we needed to take it to the Aussies this morning... pity it didn't go on longer, but I am not going to blame a number 10 for batting that way.

 

[Titanic]

Drinks taken, while Ali gets a replacement bat!

416-8 (99.2 overs)

 

[Pavilionaire]

First hour 73/1 - pretty good effort, that.

 

[Pantani]

Moeen has farmed the strike really well this morning. Must have faced 70% of the balls.

 

[Simster]

Bum

 

[Papa Lazarou]

And he's gone for 77. 419/9

 

[Titanic]

Ali gone... 419-9

77 from 88 balls

 

[pasty]

Not all bad. Decent score and we will get a bowl at the Aussies before lunch

 

[Simster]

He's out here I reckon