***Official*** 1st Test at The Gabba

[FaaipDeOiad]

People are really overstating how bad Langer was. Certainly he hit ht bell in the air a fair bit early on, but he played some absolutely murderous shots to anything overpitched or wide. I've seen centuries with far more streaky shots, really, and I think it's clutching at straws a bit to suggest that his innings was purely luck. With some better field placings he might well have been out early, but he may well have played more conservatively if there was better bowling and a more aggressive field anyway. None of his risky shots were unintentional after all, they were usually big swings at wide deliveries played with the knowledge that there was one gully and only two slips.

And really, I think England do need to be concerned about their performance. You don't take three wickets in a day of test cricket and walk away satisfied, unless you're playing in Antigua. And again, regarding the chances, England didn't drop a single catch all day and Ponting and Hussey never hit a single ball in the air near a fielder, which says a lot about how much trouble the batsmen were in. Flintoff can't carry the attack the whole series, and England's bowling has to improve a long way if they're going to be competitive. Even if they bat brilliantly and this match finishes a draw, I'd still be extremely concerned as an England fan. 8 of these guys played every test in the Ashes last year, it's not like they haven't bowled to these guys before.

 

[social]

Langer played well - if the ball is wide and he smashes it in the air, the reality is that he would have to hit it straight at the fieldsman to get out.

Bowling bad, Langer good

 

[chalky]

Apparantly this is the most seamer friendly wicket in Australia - that doesn't bode well for England.

Obviosly Englands bowling was generally poor but you have to give credit to Pointing and Hussey who really played flawless innings. The thing bout these two which seperates them from the rest of the aussie batting line up is they are not going to get themselves out which means as a bowling unit you are going to have to bowl really well or get lucky to get them out. Neither of which england did yetserday.


Predictions for the day expect Australia to bat until around tea score around 600 and put England in.

 

[Goughy]

Damn, Id have given that in a heartbeat

 

[chalky]

Close call there for Hussey but a good decision by Bowden.

 

[chalky]

Hoggard struggling with his line against the left/righ hand combination.

 

[Turbinator]

You're obviously talking about SA v India


OooooooH! The ball is bouncing above ankle height - let's all give up

 

[chalky]

England look really flat in the feed no energy allowing easy 2s & 3s just trotting to the ball

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Anderson has bowled really well this morning.

EDIT: As I type he gets belted through mid-on for four.

 

[chalky]

Harmison shocking again Botham & Hussain saying he has to bowl but at the moment he is wasting the new ball. Fred should be on now with the new ball as a strike bowler not coming on later once the damage has been done.

 

[chalky]

Oh noooo not an other Harmy over this is becoming painfull

 

[pasag]

Wtf is with CW?

Anyways, Ponting and Hussey moving along nicley. Anderson looks like they key here. Harmison needs to be dropped, this is embarrassing.

 

[Turbinator]

Okay honestly this is getting worse than Ind/SA.............even Bangladesh can put up a better performance.

*hoping to jinx Australia*

 

[Turbinator]

O well w/e I am just happy my prediction about this being not such a great series, in fact very one sided is going to be true, world test championship between the top two teams my ***!

Actually no I am not happy, I rather have this turn out to be a great series and me having to eat my words.

 

[chalky]

O well w/e I am just happy my prediction about this being not such a great series, in fact very sided is going to be true, world test championship between the top two teams my ***!

It's one and half days mate look at the last Ashes and see what happend after the 1st test. And if england arn't the number two test side who are?

 

[Turbinator]

It's one and half days mate look at the last Ashes and see what happend after the 1st test. And if england arn't the number two test side who are?

I know but still ........alright fine bro we'll talk about this after the series.

 

[pasag]

Flintoff, what a champion. Bowls Hussey for 86. Seriously, what a champion that Flintoff.

 

[irfan]

An absolute corker from Freddie, no one else pitching in though

 

[Turbinator]

Flintoff, what a champion. Bowls Hussey for 86. Seriously, what a champion that Flintoff.

YES thankyou lord! Finally!

Flintoff, one man team here.

 

[chalky]

Flintoff, what a champion. Bowls Hussey for 86. Seriously, what a champion that Flintoff.

Michael Slater is commentating on Sky thought we would have got a BOWLED HIM ala Warne against Strauss.