*Official* First Test at Swalec Stadium, Cardiff

[BoyBrumby]

Woeful full bunger from Swanny first up then one spits and bounces. Turn's there if he pitches 'em.

 

[Jakester1288]

Ponting and Katich look good.

That ball really took off though. With that ball, and some of yesterday's deliveries, this pitch is just going to get better and better for the spinners, but perhaps the weather could change that.

 

[Craig]

It would be face palm worthy if Strauss doesn't take the new ball.

 

[Redbacks]

Is anyone keeping a tally of who appears to win each session? Would be interesting to see the numbers over the whole series and if this favours the winner or whether the games are decided more on a couple of big hours of inspired play.

 

[Craig]

I bet Shane Warne would of loved this pitch if he were playing today.

 

[Craig]

Woeful full bunger from Swanny first up then one spits and bounces. Turn's there if he pitches 'em.

He really is bowling some dross out there.

 

[Jakester1288]

I bet Shane Warne would of loved this pitch if he were playing today.

I bet any spinner would have loved to play on this pitch if they were playing today. As long as you give it a bit of flight, bit of spin, and put it in the right areas (most important to put it in the right areas, then spin and flight) you would get assistance from this pitch.

 

[social]

Woeful full bunger from Swanny first up then one spits and bounces. Turn's there if he pitches 'em.

There was turn there yesterday as well but according to Swann there was "absolutely nothing" in the track - sounds like an excuse for failing to take wickets

Problem has been that turn has been slow so flight has been needed and neither Swann or Panesar bowled with much yesterday

 

[TT Boy]

Take the new ball. Seen enough of this.

 

[Craig]

New ball taken.

 

[chalky]

Rubbish from England so far this morning both spinners struggling

 

[Craig]

You think that Ponting who has been playing Test cricket for 14 years loves playing the hook and pull shot and is quite good at it, wouldn't you? Seems Jimmeh hasn't realised that.

 

[Adamc]

Pretty poor from both spinners really, enough turn and bounce there to put the batsmen under a bit of pressure if they weren't gifting boundaries every over.

Ponting looking good against the new ball already, could be in for a huge score here.

 

[chalky]

Jimmy starts with a half tracker & half volley Ponting dispatches both for 4

 

[social]

Jeez Ponting is in good nick - if he sees off the new ball, he could be on for a massive one

 

[Burgey]

New ball taken.

And just a hint of swing.

**** me, Ponting's put on a clinic here. That's an orgasmic cover drive.

 

[Redbacks]

And just a hint of swing.

**** me, Ponting's put on a clinic here. That's an orgasmic cover drive.

love your work

 

[King Pietersen]

Nice start Fred.

 

[four_or_six]

That was almost a Harmy!

 

[Craig]

Flintoff has the case of the Harminson's.