My Ashes Cricket Verdict/Rant

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - AUS 4:0 ENG

I realised I haven't done a cricket blog in yonks, so, here we go, here is my little opinion/rant about the last couple of miserable months for England Down Under. (I'm not on about the ODI series that started last weekend obviously, but good old test match cricket.)

Yep, Australia thrashed England to regain the Ashes, and they did so in style, 4-0, whilst the visitors just crumbled to bits again and again, the one draw being the only thing/straws they can clutch onto.

It surprised everyone, despite England not being anywhere near their best, but before the tour Australia looked nowhere near quality and experienced enough to win as strong, confident and comfortable as they did:

First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets

Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs

Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs

Fourth Test, Melbourne: Draw

Fifth Test, Sydney: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs

Here are factors I blame most for this:

The captain

Joe Root is just not good enough. Or rather, he is just too nice/naive. Not ruthless and decisive enough. The skipper just gets starts but no breakthroughs and most of the time it is too late by the time he gets on, the hole is too deep for him to dig England out of alone. The calls he makes in general fielding and other decisions like bowlers, nightwatchmen and follow-ons have just been blatantly and utterly wrong. Clueless. Shambles. All of us ending up scratching our heads.

The coach

The way players fell and fell again, not learning from their mistakes, you know something is wrong, not just with them, but their teachers/instructors/trainers as well. Trevor Bayliss has announced he will step down as England coach next year... 2019?! Too little too late! It's odd to give such long notice, leaving everything and everyone in a bit of a limbo. And what about a bowling coach??? That position's vacant since Ottis Gibson left last summer. If changes are not made where changes are needed, or holes are left, how can one expect improvement?! (And as I was writing and editing this article, Chris Silverwood has taken over and started his job as bowling coach this week. Good luck!!! He'll need it, plus a lot of patience!)

The selectors

Why do they always stick to the same line-up, when they are clearly/obviously/surely past their best and there are better/more in form/confident players out there?! Alastair Cook as an opener fell cheaply too many times, his double century in Melbourne was too little too late. James Anderson is the oldest but was the only bowler who really turned up and made a fight out of it, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes proving expensive at 50 runs per wicket and Moeen Ali just useless with both bat and ball. It was painful to watch at times.

The general mentality

From the start, England made all the wrong headlines, distracting and destroying any kind of team confidence and spirit. From Ben Stokes' Bristol nightclub brawl that saw him excluded from the tour, Ben Duckett's drink pouring episode over/with Anderson, to the Jonny Bairstow headbutt saga, England have been just all over the place, in bits, shattered it seemed. No discipline. No respect. Something I thought cricket always prided itself with over other sports like football where those kind of problems have been/are more common.

Team and man of the tournament

Australia just showed England how it's done, Pat Cummins (23 wickets), Mitchell Starc (my personal pick after taking 22 wickets despite missing the fourth test due to injury) and Josh Hazlewood (21 wickets) with the ball, man of the series Steve Smith with the bat and decisive captaincy. Exemplary. Consistent. Bang on. When it mattered most. Legendary? Only time will tell. But the Aussies can be very happy with themselves after this tournament.

With the ODI tournament England can and have hit out and get a bit of revenge. But it's the test match cricket they are not allowed to neglect and forget as they seemed to have done over the last months. I am worried. Very worried.

Click here for my previous cricket blog - yep, 2011, that's how long ago that was! Told ye! A wonderful year, the one where we won Down Under!!! #Memories

All pictures, facts and stats were taken from the BBC website, their Ashes and general cricket news and coverage.

England complete record 3-1 Ashes thrash

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 5th Test- Sydney - Day 5

Chris Tremlett got the last winning wicket for England, a memorable moment for the bowler, tailender Michael Beer (2) edging the ball onto his stumps and thereby completing England's third win by an innings and 83 runs and 3-1 Ashes thrashing against Australia.

England needed three wickets on the day but had to be patient as the Aussies never give up easy, Steven Smith (54*) with his second Test half century and Peter Siddle (46) with his highest Test score holding out a stubborn partnership of 86 with him and rain interrupting the game on the way.

But England got it all wrapped up before lunch thanks to James Anderson's catch at deep mid-wicket off Graeme Swann to take out Siddle (257-8), followed by the fast bowler's own wicket of Ben Hilfenhaus (7) caught behind (267-9), wicketkeeper Matt Prior's seventh catch of the match and 23rd of the series, and last but not least Tremlett to take the glory of the last wicket and Australia all out for 281, only one run more than in their first innings and still 83 runs behind England's big record bash of 644 the guests completed the previous day.

Alastair Cook got the Man of the Match and Series awards for his record of 766 runs and a massive average of 127.66 this series, which include 82 boundaries (81x4s + 1x6), three centuries including his hit of 189 in Sydney and unbeaten 235 in the opening match draw in Brisbane and two half centuries, which puts him a staggering 196 runs ahead of Mike Hussey in second place on the batting chart.

James Anderson was the bowler of the series with 24 wickets and 50 maidens, seven more wickets than his companion Tremlett, Mitchell Johnson being the top Australian bowler with 15 wickets followed by Siddle with 14 wickets, same as Swann and Steven Finn respectively.

Skipper Andrew Strauss has joined the exclusive list of Sir Leonard Hutton and Mike Brearley to become only the third England captain to win Ashes series at home and away.

Apart from the Waca episode, this series has shown how much work and improvement has gone into the England side and how much has changed since the 5-0 drubbing Down Under 4 years ago. Similar to 24 years ago, their last beating at home, the Aussies will have to rethink and make some major changes to their side if they want to change the downhill trend they have been on over the last couple of years.

Australia v England fifth Test fourth day as it happened:

Highlights taken from the BBC website:

- Australia 213-7: To the strains of "Jerusalem", it's James Anderson to open up, he has two slips and a gully for Steve Smith, who's batting in a sleeveless sweater. Free entry to the SCG today has meant that probably every Brit in New South Wales is there. Anderson is right on the money, Smith blocks out a maiden over.

- Australia 216-7: Chris Tremlett, who bowled quite beautifully yesteday, pings down a bouncer at Peter Siddle, and then has the toothy tail-ender groping outside off stump. Siddle scores the first run of the day when he jams his bat down and the ball squirms away from gully. Smith works a two off his legs, while the National Anthem is sung lustily, conducted by someone in a dress and an Elizabeth II mask.

- Australia 223-7: Cap'n Strauss is chewing gum at first slip, with the look of a hard-bitten Wild West gunslinger waiting to see off some outlaws at High Noon before riding off into the sunset. Tremlett bowls, Siddle gets an edge... but it squirms between third slip and gully, and it was a no-ball anyway. They run two. Ali Cook dons a helmet at short leg, I hope he's cleared space on his mantelpiece for the man of the series award. Siddle pushes a three, he has 24 and that's the fifty stand.

- RAIN STOPS PLAY - Australia 227-7: Siddle is still playing positively, hoicking Tremlett for three with an unorthodox cross-batted heave over the bowler's head. Simon Mann on TMS has noticed some rain... and they're going off! Nooooo.....

- Australia 230-7: Tremlett has to complete his over - two deliveries left. The first is down the leg side, the second is turned off his legs by Siddle... just wide of the man at square leg, and they run a double.

- Australia 252-7: Siddle pushes Swann for a couple of twos, he's on 42 and that's his highest Test score - beating the 40 he scored at Melbourne. "He's definitely got all-rounder potential," notes Vic Marks on TMS.

- WICKET, Siddle c Anderson b Swann 43 (Australia 257-8): Siddle swats Swann to leg, and it's straight down Anderson's throat in front of the Barmy Army at deep mid-wicket! One down, two to go...

- Australia 257-8: Ben Hilfenhaus is the new batsman, but he's not on strike as they crossed on the catch. Andrew the scorer reveals that Ponting and Clarke (combined) average 19.18 for the series, while Siddle averages 19.25.

- Australia 261-8 - NEW BALL AVAILABLE: Hilfenhaus is stout in defence against Bresnan, with three slips and a gully waiting for that edge. Gentle Ben is off the mark with a fluent cover drive for three, Smith moves on to 41 with a single (his highest Test score is 77 against Pakistan at Headingley last year). And the second new ball is available.

- APPEAL - NOT OUT - Australia 266-8 - NEW BALL TAKEN: Interesting move - the new ball is taken, but it's Chris Tremlett rather than James Anderson brandishing the new cherry. Smith heaves towards deep backward square leg, but safely, and they run a single. "I think Hilfenhaus may have a bit of a swish", says Vic Marks on TMS. The big seamer leg-glances a loose delivery from Tremlett for four, and England's lead is now under 100. Hilfenhaus is hit on the pad, there's an appeal... but it looked high. No review (we've not had many in this Test, to be honest).

- WICKET, Hilfenhaus c Prior b Anderson 7 (Australia 267-9): Single from Smith, Hilfenhaus nicks one and Anderson collects his 24th wicket of the series! Start the car - England are one wicket from winning the series!

- SMITH FIFTY - Australia 280-9: Smith rocks back and cuts Anderson for four, that's his second Test fifty from 85 balls. Smith's batting is more artisan than artist, an ugly shot brings him a single, and Beer survives once more.

- WICKET, Beer b Tremlett 2 (Australia 281 all out): The Barmies are still on their feet, Smith smears Tremlett to deep square leg but then refuses to take the single. The youngster is all ugly cross-batted strokes, one of which brings him a single, then Beer is bowled by Tremlett - edging onto his stumps - and it's all over!

CHAMPAGNE MOMENT: ENGLAND WIN FIFTH TEST BY AN INNINGS AND 83 RUNS, AND WIN THE ASHES 3-1!

Australia staring at third defeat by an innings

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 5th Test - Sydney - Day 4

My picks of the fourth day:

England are on the verge of crushing Australia by an innings for the third time and taking Ashes home for the first time in 24 years with an emphatic 3-1 series win. Australia finished the fourth day on the brink, 213-7, 151 runs behind. Earlier in the day, Matt Prior smashed in 118 off 130 deliveries helping on England to reach 644, their highest Test total Down Under. After slumping from 161-4 to 171-7, Australia had to bat out and hold through an extra half an hour as England pressed for the win on the day. But Steven Smith (24*) and Peter Siddle (17*) held through and are still standing on a 42 partnership and taking the match and series to the fifth and final day.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, England 636-9, 356 ahead at lunch: Prior is the star man of the session with his fourth test century, the fastest and record-ninth Ashes century for England, unbelievable stuff! Australia did get some wickets but have still not woken up out of this long nightmare by far!

2nd session, England 644 all out, 364 ahead, Australia 77-2, 287 behind at tea: After reaching their highest Test total ever in Australia, England got cracking with the ball too, taking out the Aussie openers before the second break of the day.

3rd session, Australia 213-7, 151 behind at the end of day four: Australia are bleeding, bleeding badly, and although they survived and take England to the last day, these wickets and wounds will prove fatal on the last day, it is just a question of time.

Partnerships: England smashed and bashed in plenty of records during the series and this match alone. On this day, they continued that trend with the help of record-centurion Prior and Tim Bresnan (35) whose partnership of 102 runs is England's highest eighth-wicket stand at the SCG, after beating the 86 by Jack Hearne and Johnny Douglas in 1911. After both record-men fell, Graeme Swann put in a fine bash too, unbeaten on 36 off 26, and last-wicket partnership of 35 runs with Chris Tremlett (12) to take England to their record total of 644. Opener Shane Watson (38) once again muddled things up for Australia, with an unnecessary, clumsy and irresponsible run out after a breakdown of communication and ending up at the same end as his partner Phillip Hughes. England's bowlers took control from there, the only partnerships of note being 65 between Usman Khawaja (21) and skipper Michael Clarke (41), who were both caught behind off James Anderson, and the 42-and-still-standing between Smith (24*) and Siddle (17*).

Bowlers: Not only did Prior star with the bat, but also with the gloves, taking four catches on the day. Anderson, Tremlett and Bresnan did a brilliant job with the ball sharing a couple of wickets each, with Swann also contributing to the Aussies' frustration and pain with some fine bowling. The swings, the bounces and the speed made the Aussies sweat. Mitchell Johnson's golden duck - bowled by Tremlett, who was on a hat-trick after seeing out Brad Haddin (30) caught behind in the previous delivery - exemplified England's brilliance and dominance and how quickly they had learnt from previous mistakes. Australia are the shadow of the side they used to be, but that cannot and shall not discredit England's quality and improvement.

Ups: England are three wickets away from thrashing Australia by an innings for the third time and taking the Ashes series by storm. It can hardly get better than that - only South Africa (2009-10 Castle Test Series drawn 1-1) and India (facing them in a four-match Test series from 21 July 2011, can't wait!) left to beat to take over the cricket world leadership!

Downs: Shame England could not end it on day four and the celebrations had to be potsponed for another day. The atmosphere today was awesome and unbeatable. The England fans will be there on the last day, no doubt whatsoever, but I still don't think they will be able to beat the cheers and chants from this day!

Hero to zero: After mentioning his lack of form yesterday, surprise, surprise, Paul Collingwood announced his retirement from Test cricket after this series. I don't think he had much of a choice. No discrediting his contributions, we will certainly miss him at slip and on the field, but with the bat, I'm sorry, as mentioned yesterday, I don't think he would have survived on the team sheet and batting lineup for much longer anyway...

Australia v England fifth Test fourth day as it happened:

Highlights taken from the BBC website:

1st session:

- Looks like it's confirmed that Colly has called it quits after 67 Tests. But he remains a key member of the one-day side (and T20 captain to boot), so it's not the last we've seen of the hard-working Durham all-rounder. Players walking out, we're nearly ready to start...

- England 489-7: Mitchell Johnson takes the first over of the day, bowling left-arm fast around the wicket (in Wasim Akram mode) - it's the bearded Prior and the burly Bresnan taking up arms for England. Prior knocks a single through the covers, and Aggers on TMS gently pulls Michael Vaughan's leg for "blubbing" in his press conference when he retired as captain in 2008.

- England 493-7: "Gentle Ben" Hilfenhaus, whose Ashes series has rather gone downhill since dismissing Strauss with the third ball of the series, begins the 143rd over as Prior tries to turn him to leg and they trot through for a leg bye, before Bresnan does the same. Prior dabs a two to third man, he's up to 57.

- DRINKS BREAK, England 525-7: The snarling Peter Siddle replaces Johnson. Prior prods a single, but his Yorkshire partner remains stout in defence - and the players have earned their first drinks break of the day. The lead is 245.

- England 547-7 - THIRD NEW BALL AVAILABLE: Leg-spinner Steve Smith, ruffled blond hair sticking up for fine weather, hops and skips in to Prior, who helps himself to three through third man. Smith - demoted to number seven but not called upon to bowl until the 102nd over yesterday - is plundered for two by Bresnan, and the third cherry is available. "Always a depressing moment for a fielding side," notes my match-report colleague Oliver Brett.

- England 567-7: Two contrasting spinners in action here, Beer keeps it tight but Prior sweeps another two before crashing a four through the covers for his fourth Test century. He leaps into the air and salutes the Barmy Army - astonishingly, it's apparently the fastest Ashes century (109 balls) by an Englishman since Botham (Old Trafford, 1981) - THAT'S A RECORD: And that's nine centuries for England - the most they've ever got in an Ashes series.

- THAT'S A RECORD - England 582-7: Smith has clearly been hit out of the attack as Cap'n Clarke takes the third new ball and hands it to Mitchell Johnson... who as we know, may bowl it just about anywhere. Bresnan belts the new cherry through the covers, cracking shot and it zips over the rope too fast for the sweeper to cut it off. A leg bye rotates the strike, this is now England's highest eighth-wicket stand at the SCG, beating the 86 by "Young Jack" Hearne and JWHT ("Johnny Won't Hit Today") Douglas in 1911. Prior swipes a four over the slips and helps himself to a two through mid-wicket, 11 from the over and the stand is now worth 97.

- England 584-7: With the new ball available, Hilfenhaus returns, and briefly halts the free-scoring eighth-wicket pair as he sends down a maiden to Bresnan. DRINKS BREAK

- WICKET, Bresnan c Clarke b Johnson 35 (England 589-8): Unbelievably, Michael Clarke has a bit of a grin on his face as Johnson begins a new over to Prior, who plays and misses with an expansive drive. But then he does connect with the same shot, and it pings sweetly off his bat for his 11th four of the innings to bring up the century stand from 168 balls. A single takes him to 116. But Bres gets an edge as he pushes forward and Clarke pouches it at second slip.

- WICKET, Prior c Haddin b Hilfenhaus 118 (England 609-9): With half an hour until lunch, Hilfenhaus digs in a bouncer and a miscued hook from Swann dribbles towards mid-wicket as they run one. But Prior's entertaining knock is ended when he tries to upper-cut and is caught behind. Or is he? What the deuce? It's another of those no-ball referrals... and as TV replays show a fraction of Hilfenhaus's foot behind the popping crease, umpire Billy Bowden sends Prior on his way.

- England 629-9: Chris Tremlett is England's last man - and not the worst number 11 they've ever fielded, having seven first-class fifties to his name. But he's the non-striker as Swann steers a two, before swatting a bouncer over fine leg and that's six! A straight drive brings the Notts spinner two more, then he whacks Johnson over mid-off for four! "This reminds me of my university days, bowling against county batsmen filling their boots," notes Vic Marks on TMS. Swann heaves a three towards cow corner, and Tremlett edges his first ball past the slips for three - that's 20 off the over. Johnson has 4-168, and this is England's second highest innings score in Australia...

- England 629-9: The highest England score in Australia is 636 in a timeless Test in Sydney in 1928, with Wally Hammond scoring 251, while wicketkeeper George Duckworth (a regular 10 or 11 at international level) made his highest Test score of 39 not out. Back in the present day, Tremlett plays out a maiden from Hilfenhaus.

- UMPIRE REVIEW: Johnson joins Smith in having been hit out of the attack after that last over went for 20. Swann swings, Siddle appeals for a catch behind, the umpire is unmoved and Australia call for a review... NOT OUT! Replays seem to show the ball flicking Swann's shirt rather than his bat, and so Swann stays his ground and Australia have lost a review.

- England 630-9: Swann swipes a single, Tremlett is cut in half by a lifter from Siddle which will give the tall seamer a little encouragement that the wicket may have a little in it for him this afternoon... England lead by 350, and we're coming up towards lunch.

- INTERVAL, LUNCH - England 636-9: Siddle to serve up probably the last over before lunch, Swann turns it off his legs for a single. Vic Marks on TMS has picked up an email in the inbox from Ben Powell which points out that "Steve Smith has seven first-class fifties, so I guess that makes Tremlett an all-rounder too!" Swann runs a leg bye, a cover-driven two by Tremlett draws England level with that 636 from Sydney in 1928, then Tremlett is struck on the shoulder by a bouncer but looks unmoved. He survives the over - and that's lunch. Swann has 33, Tremlett has seven, England lead by 356, and their fans will feel all is right with the world.

2nd session:

- THAT'S A RECORD - England 643-9: Michael Beer bowls, a Swann single brings England their highest Test score in Australia. Michael Vaughan on TMS expects Chris Tremlett to have a swing at Beer, and he's perfectly capable of clearing the ropes - but he's content to prod a single at this stage. Swann sweeps for one, then Beer tosses up a Jeremy Snape-style "moon ball" and Tremlett whacks it through extra cover for four!

- WICKET, Tremlett c Haddin b Hilfenhaus 12 (England 644 all out): Hilfenhaus to Swann, who guides a quick single past gully, then Tremlett prods forward and is caught behind. England's epic innings is ended in the 178th over - and the lead is a Len Hutton-esque 364.

- Australia 7-0: Watson hooks the first ball of the innings from James Anderson for four through mid-wicket - clearly Australia have nothing to gain by blocking, so this could be worth watching. Watson laces a cover drive for three, Hughes shoulders arms to his first ball.

- Australia 7-0: Chris Tremlett, fresh from his batting cameo, shares the new ball with Anderson, Watson drives firmly but can't beat Jonathan Trott at short extra cover. Maiden over.

- WICKET, Watson run out 38 (Australia 46-1): Swann, round the wicket to the left-handed Hughes, continues from the Randwick End - Hughes works a single off his legs, Watson turns blindly and sets off for a second run, and while Hughes hasn't moved, Watson is run out by two-thirds of the length of the pitch! Having sawn Hughes off in the first innings, and run Katich out at Adelaide, Watson is starting to get a reputation as a bad runner between the wickets. (Nasser Hussain managed to run out most of the rest of the team at various points when he was England captain). Usman Khawaja is the new batsman and defends his first two balls.

- APPEAL - NOT OUT, Australia 52-1: Big appeal from Swann as Hughes sticks his front pad out and offers no shot, you're always dicing with disaster when you do that... The opener forces a single to leg.

- WICKET, Hughes c Prior b Bresnan 13 (Australia 52-2): A great ball by Bresnan finds the edge and Prior takes a great catch in front of first slip!

- APPEAL - NOT OUT, Australia 52-2: Michael Clarke is the new batsman, averaging 19 for the series (well, at least it's more than Ricky Ponting's 16.14). Bresnan goes charging in, and stumbles over in his follow-through, then there's a big leg-before shout off the last ball of the over as Clarke is hit on the pad, but England decide against a review.

- INTERVAL, TEA - Australia 77-2: Now then, I wonder whether England might give Pietersen a bowl at some point in the final session, given that he accounted for Clarke in Adelaide with the last ball of the fourth day... It's Swann to close out the afternoon session, he sends down a maiden to Clarke and that's tea. Clarke has 19, Khawaja has four and Australia trail by 287.

3rd session:

- Australia 79-2: Chris Tremlett's first ball after tea to Khawaja is down the leg side, there's a half-hearted appeal for a catch behind but England rightly decide not to review it. Khawaja then pulls a two to deep backward square leg.

- Australia 96-2: Swann, tossing up his off-spin from around the wicket has a slip as well as helmeted men at short leg and silly point for the debutant Khawaja. He prods forward, that's a maiden over and as Boycs said on TMS earlier, bowling a string of maidens may be England's best way of building pressure to serve up a wicket - it worked for Hughes, after all...

- Australia 100-2: Clarke steers Tremlett for four through the covers, Australia are up to three figures and the home skipper removes his helmet to wipe the sweat off his head. These two have added 48 from 88 balls.

- WICKET, Khawaja c Prior b Anderson 21 (Australia 117-3): Khawaja cracks Anderson for four over mid-wicket, but then he nicks one to the keeper and Anderson goes absolutely mad in celebration!

- DRINKS BREAK, Australia 124-3: Hussey is finally off the mark as he pushes Swann for a quick single through the covers. Clarke cuts past the diving Tremlett at backward point and they run three. Hussey gets forward well to push a two through cover, and umpire Aleem Dar calls on the drinks cart. We have 16 overs remaining today.

- WICKET, Clarke c Prior b Anderson 41 (Australia 124-4): Right, Australia trail by 240 and it's eyes down for the final stretch of day four. And the drinks break has done the trick as Clarke falls prey to a lovely reverse-swinger from Jimmy A and feathers an edge to Prior behind the timbers!

- APPEAL - NOT OUT, Australia 135-4: Haddin steers a two and a single, this pair - who enjoyed a mammoth partnership in Brisbane that feels so long ago - are both on seven. A loud appeal for a catch behind, Hussey stays his ground - do England go for the review? They decide against it - and just as well, as replays appear inconclusive, and Hussey would have got the benefit of any doubt.

- DROPPED CATCH, Australia 140-4: Haddin is down the track, taking on Swann, there's a man at deep mid-on... but it's just out of the reach of the leaping Tim Bresnan and over his head for four. (A taller player may have caught it - Tremlett? Steven Finn? Will Jefferson? Mohammad Irfan, that 7ft 1in Pakistan seamer?) He then chops one into the covers, there's a really hard chance to the diving Bell at short cover - difficult, but still a chance, and he can't hold on.

- Australia 146-4: Hussey is watchful against Swann, although a short ball is punished by being pulled through square leg for four. The official close of play today is 0630 GMT, there are eight overs to be bowled after this one and they can continue until 0700 to bowl the overs if necessary - and it's not impossible that if three or four wickets fall in the next eight overs, England could claim the extra half-hour on the grounds that they had a realistic chance of finishing the match tonight.

- Australia 152-4: Steve Smith, next man in for Australia, is biting his nails on the Aussie balcony - as well he might. No sign of a nightwatchman. Haddin has quietly motored up to 19 by aggressively square-cutting Swann for three. Six overs left, and with the spinner on, we may not need much "overtime" for a change.

- WICKET, Hussey c Pietersen b Bresnan 12 (Australia 161-5): More runs for Haddin as he guides Bresnan through the covers for two before another fluent drive through the same region brings him four. A leg bye rotates the strike, this pair have added 37 - but then it's bye bye Hussey as he cuts straight to gully!

- Australia 165-5: So, five down, how many do England need to take the extra half-hour? Six? Seven? Steve Smith, who doesn't appear to be in this side as a batsman or a bowler, is the new batsman - but he's the non-striker as Swann takes a well-deserved rest after a 23-over spell, and Tremlett returns. The Surrey man immediately has Haddin fishing at thin air outside off stump. A leg bye brings young Smith on strike, he knocks his first ball to cover for a single. Haddin prods forward, sends Smith back and he would have been run out at the bowler's end if the throw had hit... Haddin pushes a two past gully, and the Aussies now trail by under 200.

- WICKET, Haddin c Prior b Tremlett 30 (Australia 171-6): Tremlett begins the antepenultimate over of the day, Haddin tries to get out of the way of a short ball, gets a nick and it steeples to Prior! Huge wicket!

- WICKET, Johnson b Tremlett (Australia 171-7): Mitchell Johnson bowled first ball as he tries to jam his bat down, Tremlett on a hat-trick!

- Australia 171-7: Peter Siddle is the new batsman, all the England supporters are on their feet and Tremlett is on a hat-trick. "If he's on the money here, it's out," says Michael Vaughan on TMS. Siddle's hit on the pad, the slips appeal... but the bowler doesn't. Dot ball. A double-wicket maiden from Tremlett, and Cap'n Strauss had a word with the umpires after Johnson's dismissal, will they claim the extra half-hour?

- Australia 176-7: Skipper Strauss chats with Ump Dar before Tremlett charges in for the last scheduled over. Siddle is doughty in defence, he plays and misses at one which seams past his outside edge. There are four slips, a gully and a short leg in for the Aussie tail-ender, who fishes at thin air to the fourth ball of the over. "That were too good for thee," I can hear Fred Trueman saying... The fifth ball trickles off an edge along the ground to gully, and Siddle flicks the last ball off his legs for four as Tremlett's radar momentarily strays. Umpires come together for a chat... and England have taken the extra half-hour. We'll have eight overs or half-an-hour, whichever is the later.

- Australia 176-7: Smith resumes defensive duties against Bresnan as Australia "try to delay the inevitable and take the game into a fifth day," says Simon Mann on TMS. Maiden over, seven overs remaining.

- Australia 181-7: Tremlett still has four slips, a gully and a short leg for Siddle, who is hit on the pad as he tries to flick the ball to leg. Roughly two-thirds of the slip cordon appeal, without much conviction. That's a nice stroke from Siddle, he drives one that jags back at him through the covers and they run three. Smith, with a slightly open stance, guides a single to mid-on. Six overs left tonight.

- Australia 181-7: The Barmy Army are in fine voice with their "Everywhere we go" song, led by "Jimmy Saville" as usual, as Siddle defends against Bresnan. He tries to force one off his legs... and it doesn't quite carry to Bell, who's fielding in a sort of shortish backward square leg position. Five overs to go.

- Australia 191-7: Tremlett - "the pride of Otterbourne" according to a recent Hampshire local newspaper report, and I'm sure his parents are watching - runs in to Smith, who hangs his bat out to steer a wideish ball for four. Tremlett oversteps for a no-ball, then Smith plays and misses at one that bounces twice in front of Prior who can't take it cleanly and they run a couple of byes. A single ensures Smith keeps the strike.

- Australia 198-7: A big roar from the England fans in the crowd as Anderson returns to the attack for a last two-over blast at the Aussie tail-enders. Smith steers a two off his legs, then slashes a four through third man - as I mentioned, the runs are largely irrelevant, it's all about whether England can whittle out these last three wickets in the next three overs or whether we'll all be back for day five.

- Australia 198-7: The Otterbourne Enforcer takes a rest and England turn to Graeme Swann, who has three predatory close fielders round the bat for Smith. You sense that England may just have run out of juice tonight - it's been a marathon day with an extended start and an extended finish - and as Swann completes a maiden, we have two overs left. England need to take two wickets in the penultimate over if they're going to win it tonight - as if a wicket falls in the last over, they'll go off immediately.

- Australia 208-7: Siddle chops Anderson for four, that's 200 up for Australia (like that matters!), before angling a two to third man. Siddle keeps out the fifth ball of the over, so we'll be back tonight. He edges the last ball over the slips for four, and we've got one more over in the day.

- CLOSE OF PLAY, Australia 213-7: Although Geoff Boycott wants England to bring on Kevin Pietersen to toss the ball up, England will conclude day four's proceedings with Graeme Swann's orthodox off-spin. With close fielders surrounding the bat, Smith punches a four through the vacant cover region - this pair have somehow put on 41! Siddle defends the last ball of the day and walks off - that's the close of play and as Aggers notes on TMS tomorrow, unless the heavens open with rain tomorrow, England should wrap up a series victory.

England thrash Australia to retain the Ashes

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 4th Test - Melbourne - Day 4

My picks of the fourth day:

England have retained the Ashes for the first time in 24 years by thrashing Australia by an innings and 157 runs. It is their biggest win against their bitter rivals since 1956 and made Ricky Ponting the first Australian skipper in 120 years to lose the Ashes three times. Whilst he is out of the last Test and doubtful for keeping the captaincy in general, England captain Andrew Strauss is a proud man and hopeful his side can win the series emphatically by avoiding defeat in the fifth and final Test in Sydney starting on Sunday.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

Australia 258 all out, England beat Australia by an innings and 157 runs: It was only a question of when not if the Aussies would fall and England could celebrate...

Partnerships: Australia resumed batting on day four on 169-6, England needing only three wickets to tie up and finish the match and series successfully with Ryan Harris unable to bat due to injury. Mitchell Johnson (6) fell quickly bowled and beaten by Chris Tremlett's reverse swing (Australia 172-7). But Brad Haddin (55*) and Peter Siddle (40) created a bit of a fight back with a partnership of 86, postponing the inevitable by an hour-and-a-bit. But when Siddle fell, Ben Hilfenhaus (0) followed soon after and after finally getting Australia all out for 258, England were able to let the fun and celebrations begin.

Bowling: Tremlett, Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan took a wicket each on the day making it five and six wickets in the match for the two fast bowlers respectively. Although the bowlers did a great job in the whole match, each chipping in with wickets, James Anderson also with five and Swann finding a bit of his form back with two, batsman Jonathan Trott won the man-of-the-match award and deservedly so for his unbeaten 168 score he contributed to England's staggeringly score of 513 and unreachable lead of 415.

Ups: For the first time I can remember (I was only 1 the last time this happened) England have retained the Ashes and won it Down Under! I am definitely going to buy this DVD-set, that is for sure!!!

Downs: The attendance has fallen just as drastically as and with the Aussies from 84,345 on day one, it went down to 67,149/68,773 the next couple of days and then plummeted to 19,889 on day four. And as far as I could tell, 99% of them were all part of the Barmy Army, chanting and celebrating on!

Hero to zero: It has been confirmed this morning that Aussies skipper Ricky Ponting has been ruled out of the Sydney Test due to aggravation of the fracture to the little finger of his left hand. Michael Clarke will replace him as skipper and Usman Khawaja will make his Test debut with the bat. After scoring only 113 runs in eight innings and averaging only 16.14 this series, I am not too sure whether it Ponting's injury is the only reason which excludes him from Australia's team sheet and would not be surprised if that is the last we have seen of him, as the Aussie skipper at least...

Australia v England fourth Test fourth day as it happened:

Highlights taken from the BBC website:

- WICKET, Johnson bowled Tremlett 6 (Australia 172-7): Brad Haddin is a sinewy character, with uncomplicated with a see-it-and-hit-it philosophy to batting, punching a lovely meaty straight drive past bowler Chris Tremlett towards the mid-on boundary, but Alastair Cook makes an excellent parry to cut the runs down to a single. But Mitchell Johnson's stay ends when he is cleaned up by a Chris Tremlett delivery. It's started...

- Australia 210-7: Siddle gets in on the boundary-scoring antics with an aerial thump over mid-off before adopting similar tactics with a chop over gully down to deep point off Tremlett, who wears the expression of a man who can't quite work out whether he locked the back door before flying out to Australia. Meanwhile, Sid El moves to 14 from 25 deliveries. Decent fight from this eight-wicket duo. Well played.

- DRINKS BREAK, Australia 237-7: Wonderful drift from Swann, moving away from Haddin's bat before turning sharply off the wicket, mesmeric bowling, a real pleasure to watch. Just a single to Haddin from the over and he moves on to 48. A beverage break.

- WICKET, Siddle c Pietersen b Swann 40 (Australia 258-8): Siddle goes for the big guns again and launches another huge swat high into the air, but he doesn't get enough willow to clear the ropes as Kevin Pietersen takes a smart catch just centimetres from the boundary ropes. Get your drink of choice on the go, we're almost there...

- WICKET, Hilfenhaus c Prior b Bresnan 0 (Australia 258-9): That's it - start the car! ENGLAND HAVE RETAINED THE ASHES! Hilfenhaus edges a simple catch to Matt Prior for Tim Bresnan's fourth wicket of the innings. The celebrations have begun - let the fun begin... ENGLAND BEAT AUSTRALIA BY AN INNINGS AND 157 RUNS.

England down Australia on day 1 at the MCG

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 4th Test - Melbourne - Day 1

My picks of the first day:

Chris Tremlett and James Anderson bowled beautifully, swung and downed Australia all out for 98 with four wickets each after skipper Andrew Strauss won the important toss on day one of the fourth Test in Melbourne with the series being all square at one all. Michael Clarke was the top scorer for the Aussies with 20, whilst England openers Strauss (64*) and Alastair Cook (80*) remain unbeaten and took the guests to the end of the day on 157, 59 runs ahead.

Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, Australia 58-4 at lunch: After dropping two catches and losing their two reviews early on in the match, it looked like England were giving the advantage away, but they did everything else but. The hosts crumbled sad and badly, the rain saving them - FOR NOW - 5 minutes early to lunch...

2nd session, Australia 98 all out at tea: England all joy and on top after seeing Australia fall to their lowest Test score against them at the MCG. It shows how times and teams have changed, especially after the thrashing Strauss and the lads got at the Waca...

3rd session, England 157-0, 59 ahead at the end of day one: Skipper Strauss and Cook take England to the end of the day, with a lead and ten wickets spare. A dream day makes it a dream start to the fourth Test for England, making it harder than ever to imagine how Australia imagine to get out of this one without losing the match and Ashes...

Partnerships: 157 between Strauss and Cook gives England the icing on a very sweet cake on day one after hackling Australia down and all out for 98. They took their time, read the balls and pitch well, gave away nothing too quickly and nothing too flashy, making Australia's bowlers look relatively harmless and unperilous. The hosts' batting lineup and display was just the more fruitless and makes dire reading. Clarke was the top scorer for the Aussies with 20 and their top partnership of the day and match so far being 22 between Phillip Hughes and skipper Ricky Ponting. All their players were caught out, by laymen's errors on the one hand and fantastic bowling on the other, six of them landing in wicketkeeper Matt Prior's gloves.

Bowling: Tremlett and Anderson made England's day and destroyed Australia with four wickets each. Steven Finn's replacement Tim Bresnan contributed with two wickets whilst Graeme Swann was injured during the game and unneeded as it turned out anyway (after bowling only two overs, one maiden and one for just one run). Australia's bowlers' response looked just as effective as their batting, no real threat or appeal. The weather and pitch changed a lot over the day and will change continuously throughout the match. But if you want to win it, you have to be able to go with the flow and take advantage of every change, which England and their skipper Strauss did very well with every bowling change and on every other (batting) step of the way today.

Ups: Winning the toss was crucial in this match and Strauss and co made the best of it! England could not have dreamt of a better start, especially after the thrashing theyr got in the last match!

Downs: The Ashes cannot end up becoming boring can they? If Australia continue like this though, I'm afraid the result looks very obvious to me. They will get a thrashing and drubbing of a lifetime! But since when was I the one to foresee the future and get the predictions spot-on...

Hero to zero: Australia's form and confidence has been like a seesaw/rollercoaster ride this series. From middle/normal to flop to top to bottom again... What on earth will happen next?!

Australia v England fourth Test first day as it happened:

Highlights taken from the BBC website:

1st session:

- England win the toss and field first. Tim Bresnan replaces Steven Finn as captain Andrew Strauss feels the pitch will favour "swing bowling rather than hit-the-deck bowling". Aussie captain Ricky Ponting admits he wasn't completely sure what he'd have done - he's fit to play despite the finger injury he suffered in Perth.

- DROPPED CATCH, Australia 0-0: James Anderson, declared fit despite a side strain, takes the new ball to Shane Watson - and finds the edge with the fifth ball of the day... and it just about carries to Paul Collingwood at third slip, diving forward. A very difficult chance, but still a chance...

- DROPPED CATCH, Australia 15-0: Another chance is put down... Watson flashes hard, Kevin Pietersen is dealt a painful blow as he gets both hands to it at gully. They run two, and KP is still wringing his fingers. Watson cover-drives and they run three - the MCG is quite vast, and not the quickest of outfields.

- WICKET, Watson c Pietersen b Tremlett 5 (Australia 15-1): Having been dropped twice on nought, Shane Watson looks slightly surprised as he fends at a lifter from Tremlett and is caught at gully!

- APPEAL - NOT OUT, Australia 19-1: There's a bit of a breeze at the MCG - as both umpires, who began the game in shirt sleeves, have summoned their big white coats. Tremlett and wicketkeeper Prior appeal for lbw against Punter, but Hotspot shows there was a bit of bat on that - good decision Mr Dar. Neither batsman looks particularly comfortable at the moment - and a maiden over from Tremlett is applauded. (I watched his dad bowl plenty of those in my youth...)

- UMPIRE REVIEW: Hughes is in all sorts of trouble against Anderson, fending one off which nearly hits the stumps - then there's an appeal for a catch down the leg side and England do ask for a review this time... NOT OUT: Hotspot appears to show the ball brushing Hughes on the hip - and third umpire Marais Erasmus agrees, so Hughes carries on and England have lost a review. (Substitute the words "gratuitously wasted" for "lost" if you prefer). Australia 26-1.

- WICKET, Hughes c Pietersen b Bresnan 16 (Australia 37-2): Bresnan tempts Hughes with one outside off stump, the left-hander drives and is caught at gully as KP picks up his second catch of the day!

- WICKET, Ponting c Swann b Tremlett 10 (Australia 37-3): Tremlett back in the attack, and immediately he has Punter caught at second slip! Well taken with both hands by Graeme Swann diving to his left.

- UMPIRE REVIEW: The new batsman is Mike Hussey, who's been the proverbial immovable object so far in this series. (If you haven't read it, I can recommend Tom Fordyce's blog asking how you go about dismissing "Mr Cricket"). Tremlett hits the left-hander on the pad, and Strauss calls for a review... NOT OUT: Aggers on TMS is worried that there haven't been many "not out" lbw decisions overturned via the Decision Review System (DRS) this series - but this has hit him on the flap of the back pad. However, Virtual Eye shows the ball going over the stumps - and England have thrown away both their reviews after barely more than an hour's play. Australia 37-3.

- WICKET, Hussey c Prior b Anderson 8 (Australia 58-4): Anderson returns in place of Bresnan, he somehow induces an edge from Hussey, a grateful Prior takes the catch and the England fielders all go absolutely barmy!

- Steve Smith is the new batsman, nearly nicks his first ball to the keeper! A sudden rain shower then prompts the players to flee to the pavilion - with only five minutes remaining in the session, they may well take lunch immediately, but it's come too late to save Mr Cricket...
RAIN STOPS PLAY, lunch taken early, Australia 58-4.

2nd session:

- WICKET, Smith c Prior b Anderson 6 (Australia 66-5): Smith, who always looks likely to lose his wicket at any time, survives an lbw appeal from Jimmy but then perishes when he pushes forward and gets a thick edge to the keeper.

- WICKET, Clarke c Prior b Anderson 20 (Australia 77-6): Anderson keeps it tight against Clarke, there's another edge and Prior takes another catch! England really have their boot on Australia's jugular there - perfect conditions for the "Burnley Express" and he's running through them like an express train!

- WICKET, Haddin c Strauss b Bresnan 5 (Australia 77-7): Another edge, another regulation catch, this time to Cap'n Strauss at first slip, and Haddin's gone! Yes, you are reading this right - Australia are 77-7!!!

- WICKET, Johnson c Prior b Anderson 0 (Australia 77-8): Another edge to the keeper, another wicket! Johnson gone for a duck, this is becoming a procession!

- DRINKS BREAK, Australia 86-8: Harris aims a meaty pull over mid-wicket, it flies off a top edge and over the slips for four. He then looks to guide one off his hips, it flicks off his backside and sails to the boundary for four... and very harshly, umpire Dar rules that Harris didn't play a shot, so he can't have any runs (or leg byes). Swann is off the field, presumably for finger repairs after that catch attempt in the last over, so Big Tim has a rare chance to stand at second slip in the lead-up to the drinks break.

- WICKET, Siddle c Prior b Tremlett 11 (Australia 92-9): Siddle plays and misses at Tremlett, then he edges to the keeper for Tremlett's third wicket. Nine out of nine wickets caught by the keeper and slips. "An absolute rout," says Aggers on TMS.

- WICKET, Hilfenhaus c Prior b Tremlett 0 (Australia 98 all out): Hilfenhaus is playing and missing at Tremlett again, there's some ironic applause when he finally makes contact with his bat and prods one out to mid-wicket - but the number 11 perishes as an edge presents Prior with his sixth catch of the innings. He's the fourth English keeper to do that in Australia. Tea taken early.

3rd session:

- DRINKS BREAK, England 52-0: Punter shuffles his pace quartet again as Hilfenhaus replaces Harris, while TMS summariser and Aussie batting coach Justin Langer admits "a worrying trend" when questioned about Australia's problems batting against the moving ball. Gentle Ben sends down a maiden to Cook - time for drinks in this marathon final session.

- APPEAL - NOT OUT, England 58-0: Cook tries a fierce square drive at Siddle but a leap by Smith keeps the score on 57. Siddle raps Cook on the thigh pad and lets out a huge yell for lbw. Australia think about the DRS, but wicketkeeper Haddin indicates he thought it was missing for height. And they're right not to call for a review - Virtual Eye indicates it was going over. A single allows Cook to keep the strike.

- UMPIRE REVIEW: Finally the Aussies think they have a breakthrough... Cook is given out lbw to Hilfenhaus but immediately calls for a review. NOT OUT: That's very nearly (but not quite) a no-ball - but Hotspot reveals a big inside edge from Cook, and Umpire Hill is forced to overturn his own decision and make the "safe" signal. England 77-0: The reprieved Cook aims a bloodthirsty pull at Hilfenhaus, doesn't quite middle it but it flies safely off the edge and he picks up two. The "Chelmsford Chiseller" then blasts a straight-driven four, and the Barmy Army are Absolutely Loving It as he nudges a single to move level with Strauss on 34.

- DRINKS BREAK, England 90-0: A single apiece for Cook'n'Strauss take England to within eight runs of their hosts - time for another drinks break.

- COOK FIFTY - England 109-0: Johnson replaces Harris, but it's still England on song as Cook brings up his half century with a savage cut for four. Two more singles are added - and as I observed at 0457, he seems more like (runless, wicketless) Brisbane Johnson than the unplayable Johnson of Perth. Punter chews his nails with the look of a condemned man pondering what he'd like for his last meal befiore he goes to the gallows.

- STRAUSS FIFTY - England 128-0: CMJ on TMS points out that the last time a fair-haired Australian leg-spinner bowled against England at Melbourne, he took his 700th Test wicket - a certain Mr A.J. Strauss. But I think it's safe to say Steve Smith is no Shane Warne - indeed, the blond quiff above his forehead reminds me of Belgium's second most famous detective (ie Tintin, not Hercule Poirot) rather than the maestro from St Kilda. Strauss and Cook look in little danger against the young leggie - and the England skipper reaches his 23rd Test fifty during the over.

- England 151-0: Strauss brings up England's 150 by poking Smith for two through the vacant second slip area. The MCG looks less than a third full now.

- CLOSE OF PLAY, England 157-0: Steve Smith to bowl the last over of the day, and the watchful Cap'n Strauss is happy to play out the six deliveries in question. England lead by 59. What an extraordinary day.

England shock Australia on the first day

Sports - Cricket - Ashes - 2nd Test - Adelaide Oval - Day 1

My picks of the first day:

Australia won the toss and that was the only thing that went their way on the first day of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval. England, their own clumsiness and a bit of misfortune tore them up to 245 all out. James Anderson is the man of the day with four wickets after giving Australia most pain and vain. England finished the day on 1-0, 244 behind, full of confidence and high expectations after all spoils went to them on the first day.



Run of Play: Advantage to...

1st session, Australia 94-3 at lunch: England could not have dreamt up this start, Australia in dismay. After a chaotic nightmare start to the morning at 2-3, the hosts recovered a little bit before the break thanks to Watson and Hussey.

2nd session, Australia 159-5 at tea: England again as happy as Larry, keeping Australia under pressure constantly, giving none of their batsmen time or room to settle and build up a solid base of runs and a partnership.

3rd session, Australia 245 all out, England 1-0, 244 behind at the end of day one: England finished the day as they started and kept it - under total control. Australia drawing a frustrated and sad picture with their skipper left wondering how and where everything went so drastically wrong after winning the toss.

Partnerships: The top three partnerships in runs show how the day has been for the batting side: After a nightmare start and their side shaking on 2-3, the partnership of 94 runs between Shane Watson and Mike Hussey steadied the ship a bit before the lunch break giving them the hope for the innings to stabilise and become a bit more of a competition again in the afternoon. But Watson gave away an easy catch after the break (51), inept to convert the start into a big and more competitive score. Marcus North came on to join Hussey for 60 runs, another start but North ended any hope of a partnership by being caught behind (26). Just when you thought Hussey was running out of partners, he set up a good partnership with Brad Haddin, but ended it himself on 51, being caught at slip before reaching his 13th Test century, disappointing after his 195 in the first Test and the record partnership the two set up at Brisbane. With his departure Australia's hope for salvation vanished too, Ben Hilfenhaus replacement Ryan Harris falling the next delivery and the last three falling for only 38. They just never got in there.

Bowling: Anderson enjoyed most of the wickets and pressure on the Aussies for the first half of the day. Then the change to Steven Finn and Graeme Swann meant more wickets and doom and gloom and the end for Australia. Stuart Broad at least had one wicket to cheer about, but is not at half of his best yet. Anderson is definitely the man of the day, his speed and beauties kept Australia on their toes and made them slip and trip up on more than one occasion. Swann was lucky to get the lbw decision against Harris as it looked like the ball gave a hint of a touch onto the bat, however, he definitely did his part to keep the hosts frustrated and dismayed too.

Ups: What a day of cricket! What drama! What disaster! What mayhem! What action! What's next?! That's what the fans pay and come for. Can't get enough of it! Those fans that came in a bit late at the start of the day and missed the opening three wickets will be biting themselves - they'll be spot on time tomorrow I bet you!

Downs & Hero to zero: When nothing's going your way, nothing's going your way. That's definitely what Ricky Ponting will have felt - but there's no need to have a spitter and spatter with Andrew Strauss at the end of the day - it won't change the scoreboard!

Australia v England second Test day one as it happened

1st session:

- Day one of the second Ashes Test from the Adelaide Oval under a clear blue sky. Australia win the toss and choose to bat. Australia won by six wickets when the two sides met on this ground during the 2007 series. Andrew Strauss is not too gutted about losing this toss to Ricky Ponting, saying this pitch has bounce and movement in it, used and bowled the right way, the hosts may regret their choice, wait and see.

- Two changes for Australia, in the bowling attack, Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris in for Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus, England unchanged. Marais Erasmus and Tony Hill are the two umpires. 90 overs to be bowled today.

- James Anderson kicks the day and match off v Shane Watson - and what a start! Jonathan Trott picks up Watson's soft shot at square leg, throws the ball back and hits the stumps easily and comfortably and Simon Katich is out without facing a ball, long way out, guilty of ball-watching, schoolboy error.

- Ricky Ponting is on much earlier than he would have liked and expected, bad communication and confusion between Katich and Watson. And the skipper is out first ball! Edge and catch by Graeme Swann at second slip, out for a duck! England will love to have lost the toss after this start! Brilliant delivery, dismay for Australia! Golden duck in Ponting's 150th Test.

- Michael Clarke on, off the mark first ball he faces. That was the last ball of an unbelievable over, 1-2 after the first over. Dream start for Anderson and England. Dramatic nightmare for the Aussies.

- People are still arriving at the sold out ground and will bite themselves for missing the crunch-crash start. Stuart Broad at the other end, against a nervous Clarke and Australia. 2-2 after 2 overs.

- Anderson at full length, Clarke edges it and is gone for 1 run off 6 balls, a comfortable catch for Swann at second slip, his second of the day. Clarke's and Australia's misery continues, 2-3, Anderson will think he's still asleep dreaming.

- Mike Hussey on and off the mark with the first ball. First boundary of the day makes it 11-3 at the end of the third over.

- Broad v Hussey, England appeal for a catch behind, there was a noise, but it was the bat nudging the pad, long way off the ball, Strauss knows it and doesn't bother to have it reviewed.

- Maiden over for Broad, 11-3 after 4 overs.

- Anderson lbw appeal v Watson, first review used, the bowler is confident as always, replays show it bounced too high though, big stride by Watson, umpire's decision stands, not out, England lose one of their two reviews.

- Another maiden, 11-3 after 5 overs.

- 12-3 after 6 overs.

- Anderson continues v Hussey - and misses a catch low to his left, the ball bouncing off his fingers, ugh, he knows! Anxious times for Australia. 14-3 after 7 overs.

- Watson's smash and boundary makes it 24-3 after 8 overs.

- Anderson v Hussey, inside edge drops short in front of Swann at second slip. Australia everything else but off the hook. 25-3 after 9 overs, pressure still on the hosts.

- Steven Finn comes into the attack, on for Broad at the Cathedral end, v Hussey. Single, followed by a square drive for four by Watson and another single. 31-3 after 10 overs, 29-run partnership off 47 deliveries, Watson on 17, Hussey on 12.

- 36-3 after 11 overs.

- 42-3 after 12 overs.

- Anderson gets a warning from the umpire, his foot on the line of the stumps, has to be careful. 43-3 after 13 overs, time for drinks.

- Australia 94-3 at lunch.

2nd session:

- Watson gone for 51 (94) caught by Pietersen, 7 fours 1 six, Australia 96-4, 94 partnership off 156 balls.

- North v Anderson, two slips, two gullies, all wickets by Anderson so far apart from the run out.

- Hussey on 37 (71), v Swann, edge bounces off silly point's pad, close one, 97-4.

- Anderson stays on, boundary by Hussey brings up 100 for Australia, not much applause and cheers for that. 101-4 end of the over.

- North 26 (93), 4 fours; caught behind off Finn, soft dismissal, 156-5, 60 partnership off 159 balls. Hussey on 71* (138); 6 fours, 0 sixes; will he run out of partners? Haddin on 2* (6).

- 159-5 at tea after 57 overs.

3rd session:

- Swann v Hussey, just a couple off the over. 161-5.

- Anderson v Haddin at the other end. Haddin scores with ease and conviction v Swann, 174-5.

- Hussey is out for 93 (183), caught at off-slip by off Swann, Australia 207-7.

- Harris is out next ball, lbw, big shout, given out, he sends it straight to review saying he's hit it, replays show maybe a feather of an inside edge, ball hits both pads, clipping the outside of leg stump, the umpire's decision stands. Cruel one, still out though, looked dead first hand, Australia 207-7, Swann on a hat-trick v Xavier Doherty, two dot balls to finish the over.

- 212-7 after 75 overs.

- Swann v Haddin lbw shout not given, sent to be reviewed, replays show, the ball hits the pad outside the line, decision stands and England have no reviews left, Australia 224-7.

- Oh oh, another mix up, Doherty run out for 6 (19), should have been an easy single, the ball picked up by Strauss who causes the confusion between the batsmen, throws it to the wicketkeeper who stumps it, Australia 226-8, Haddin on 40, Peter Siddle on as the new batsmen.

- New ball taken and the fast bowlers are back on.

- Anderson is back into attack from the river end, on for Finn, v Siddle, 227-8.

- Broad from the cathedral end, v Haddin. Haddin reaches his half century with a smashing 6, 53 (86), Australia 242-8.

- Siddle out next over, caught by Cook off Anderson, easy chip-catch, 3 (21), last man Doug Bollinger on, Anderson figures so far 18.3-4-51-4, Australia 243-9. 85th over.

- Broad starts his 19th over. Haddin smacks the ball up into the air into Finn's hands off Broad, comfortable catch, had enough time to set himself, Haddin's out for 56 (95), Australia 245 all out.

- England have an uncomfortable over ahead before the end of the day... Ryan Harris maiden 1-0 at the end thanks to an extra, 244 behind. Ponting's having a go at Strauss on their way to the pavilion, both in each other's face. Tense times for Australia.