Australia would be satisfied with their efforts on the first day of the crucial final Test of the Ashes at the Oval but England did have their moments.
siddle with team
England appeared to lose the momentum after lunch when before the break, the England captain, Andrew Strauss, allowed England the liberty to break easier in the first session of the deciding Test.
ian bell
But thereafter it was the targetted man, Ian Bell, who went after the Australian bowling in good measure. Bell's initiative went a long way in further taking the tension out of the England line up. His seventy-two was critical not only from a personal stand point where he became the prey for the visitors but also, from the team's point of view that needed a hero after Strauss was dismissed by Ben Hilfenhaus for fifty-five.
Paul Collingwood's less than fanciful twenty-four was accounted for by Peter Siddle and with Bell following soon thereafter, Siddle at it again, England suffered a wobble.
trott
The ill timed run out of Jonathan Trott who looked at ease at the crease and batted well for forty-two did not help either. For a debutant, Trott showed remarkable composure, a certain fearlessness and independence at the crease that belied the importance of the moment.
And the wobble was so violent that Australia creamed off the prize wicket of the retirement man, Andrew Flintoff and Matt Prior before him to a rejuvenated Mitchell Johnson. Stuart Broad was the standing grace (not saving yet) on an unbeaten twenty-six as England finished on 307 for eight, the runs have been flowing but not quite in the same measure as the wickets heaped, four of them, in Siddle's favour.
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Flintoff Endorses Gilly’s View for Fewer Tests
Johnson’s Mother blamed for His Loss of Form
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