*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[tooextracool]

Good to see Hilfenhaus going around the wicket to Strauss, this is the point of delivery that has had him struggling for over a year. Might actually be worthwhile getting Johnson on against Strauss as well

 

[Son Of Coco]

Hmmm...not exactly making them work too hard for runs this morning.

 

[tooextracool]

The new mellowed bowling version of Watson is so much better than the old Watson. Still prone to bowling a long hop once an over though and thats something he needs to eradicate from his bowling.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Ok Mitch, hit the cracks every so often huh?

 

[Bun]

I think Ponting does not rate Johnson against these left handed openers.

 

[Nate]

"Take that Nathaniel!"

 

[Son Of Coco]

Enough of the one short ball outside off every over.

Gave Test Match Sofa a go too...will pass. Seems like a lot of ramble, and the word 'innocuous' used every 10 seconds.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Nice fielding.

Been ok so far,long way to go yet though.

 

[four_or_six]

Great commentary from Nasser and Sir Ian, complaining about the field. Watson pointing at the leg-side to Ponting.

Ah, now the field has gone more normal again.

 

[tooextracool]

Enough of the one short ball outside off every over.

Yep almost every time they've dropped it short its been cracked for 4. This has been some ordinary bowling and some good sensible, purposeful batting.

 

[Faisal1985]

Why is Johnson or Watto not trying a slower ball....runs are still coming easily....might as well mix it up a bit more then a bouncer and a yorker...

 

[chalky]

Came home from the pub and pleasantly suprised with score. Has there been any chances this morning?

 

[tooextracool]

no

 

[benchmark00]

Brumby and Marcuss on Haddin being overhyped:

As to the topic in hand, I'd say Brad Haddin. Extremely ordinary keeper and often flatters to deceive with the bat.

He's an average keeper and an average batsman. Can look the part and plays some decent shots but is not "quality".

k.

 

[four_or_six]

Nothing significant. Cook had one go between third slip and gully early on. I can't remember anything else.

 

[Jacknife]

Openers doing their job so far, sticking the bad balls away when they came and not far off 4 rpo for the session.

 

[four_or_six]

Given his performance in the first innings, why have we hardly seen Siddle today?

 

[Neil Pickup]

That's England's mini-session, then.

I figure we really need to take the day 4-1 out of the six to be back on terms come stumps - but these two are looking pleasantly assured thus far, and - much like yesterday - the batsmen are set, the ball is softening, and the wicket isn't offering a dramatic amount of movement. If we are serious about ourselves as a genuine top-class side, then we really should be backing ourselves to come out of this test match unbeaten.

 

[four_or_six]

That's a crazy looking pitch map for Johnson, virtually everything short.

 

[Spark]

Excellent 50 from Strauss. Ominous.