*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[vcs]

Well, this is interesting.

 

[Sylvester]

Bell ain't going to die wondering, Doherty might have a chance here or it could be a costly exercise.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Bell's got blood rushes.

 

[social]

Very, very lucky there Sherm

 

[Athlai]

Bell out before 21 runs.

Not enough heart.
Doesn't look like he can run all day.

 

[Spark]

From what I've seen, Bell looks a class apart from the rest of the batsmen in this lineup, including Pietersen.

From what I've seen that's basically how he's played his entire career. Still averages just over 40.

 

[Prince EWS]

So I was watching some cricket on my lunch break and was seeing Johnson and Hilf bowl and thought to myself "they're bowling too short, they should pitch it a metre or two fuller". Lo and behold, Siddle comes on and pitches it in the right area and takes two wickets.

I was not a fan of dropping Bollinger, but Siddle has earned his wage thus far.

The point is - and I made it before the Test - that Bollinger is better than Hilfenhaus, Doherty and arguably Johnson too.

Siddle's a good, Test standard bowler quite capable of performing well but he's probably not amongst Australia's best three quicks and, if he had to play, it shouldn't have been Bollinger to miss out anyway.

 

[M0rphin3]

Johnson in, WTF. Hilfy should've been given an over.

 

[vcs]

The English batsmen have looked very nervous to say the least. Makes you appreciate how hard it must be to win the toss in the first Ashes Test, bat first and end up 350-2 after day 1.

It has proved a good toss to lose as most people predicted.

 

[Spark]

Bell ain't going to die wondering, Doherty might have a chance here or it could be a costly exercise.

I like Doherty's chances here tbh. Bell's not exactly Tendulkar or Clarke when he comes out of the crease, and Doherty looks like he fancies his chances.

 

[morgieb]

Bell out before 21 runs.

Not enough heart.
Doesn't look like he can run all day.

Haha, so good.

 

[TumTum]

Cook will get a 100 here, then fail all through the series.

 

[Prince EWS]

I like Doherty's chances here tbh. Bell's not exactly Tendulkar or Clarke when he comes out of the crease, and Doherty looks like he fancies his chances.

Bell's pretty good at coming down the track these days tbh.

 

[outbreak]

Doherty to pick up a wicket next over.

 

[Spark]

Bell's pretty good at coming down the track these days tbh.

True, but he still looks as if he's giving the bowler a shot. Only cleared mid-off by a few metres.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Good single, looking forward to watching Bell vs Doherty for a straight over.

Oh, and what's Bollinger's record like in conditions where he has to encourage the batsman to drive? Dougie loves to bang the ball in short of a length, and hates being driven.

 

[Spark]

Played Cook. Grinding 50.

 

[Ruckus]

I have to say I'm disappointed by the amount of cheering for England...

 

[morgieb]

Cook will get a 100 here, then fail all through the series.

I'm feeling that way as well tbh.

 

[pskov]

Bell looking composed and confident.

50 for Cook well played. His lack of scoring shots has allowed the Aussies to pile the pressure on him but he's grown more and more solid as he's stayed at the crease. Vital for him to go on and get three figures now.