It was a bit of a grind before the bluster at Old Trafford, venue of the first Twenty20 International between England and Australia.
David Warner tried to inject some momentum but three quick wickets for England meant that Australia were in a bit of a tight hole. It was not until Cameron White partnered stand in captain, Michael Clarke, that Australia got the necessary move on.
England’s Twenty20 captain, Paul Collingwood, decided to bring himself on in the seventh over of the Australian innings, a move that paid off tremendously for him. His off spin brought up two quick wickets in the form of Warne and a rather ambitious David Hussey who was perhaps thinking he was building upon his century against Scotland in the ODI.
From fifty-four for three in 8.3 overs, Clarke effected the slow, struggling consolidation but it was White’s impetus that pushed Australia to 145. His fifty-five off thirty-three balls was the perfect anti dote to the loss of wicket as well as the slow moving Clarke who scratched around for twenty-seven.
But a rather lengthy break between innings saw England come to bat, England’s hero from the ODI against Ireland failed to overcome a bouncer from Brett Lee, making his comeback, and Joe Denly was out for a duck in his first Twenty20 international match.
More trouble was to follow soon for England as Ravi Bopara edged to the slip to a rather elated Mitchell Johnson as England found themselves at four for two wickets when rain intervened at just 1.1. overs.
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