This was the most awaited as well as dreaded day of the Ashes of 2009. While the arrival of the day meant that the series had reached a terrific, anticipated climax, it was also sad in that it marked the final battle of the Ashes for 2009.
oval toss
Ahead of the fifth Test at the Oval, Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain not looking to go down in history as only the second Australian captain to lose two Ashes series if it were to happen at the Oval, spoke about targetting debutant Jonathan Trott, as well as Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood. There was a touch of bravado as he added that Australia was responsible for the breaking down the myth about Ravi Bopara.
However, it did not go to plan as Andrew Strauss, the England captain, won the toss, elected to bat and put Australia under a little bit of pressure. England had the three changes in their squad, in that Johnathan Trott was pushed in ahead of Bopara who was dropped for the Test, Andrew Flintoff came back, and in a surprise selection, England decided to go with Steve Harmison over Graham Onions.
England lost Alastair Cook early to Peter Siddle off a slightly controversial nick, but Strauss was ready to steady the England ship thereafter in the face of an unchanged Australian line up, which meant Stuart Clark won a berth ahead of the spinner, Nathan Haurtiz, a gamble on Australia's part and also, ahead of Brett Lee.
Strauss's stroke filled innings removed the rather gloom that appeared to prevail over the morning's proceedings on day one with slightly overcast conditions. But Strauss negated anything the Australians had to throw at them in terms of aggression and short pitched bowling. Strauss' half century was complimented by a fighting Bell overcame the early onslaught to settle for forty-one, the partnership moving nicely to ninety-six as England finished on 108 for one at lunch.
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Ashes T4 Day 1 Stumps: Australia Rub in the Advantage
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Strauss: England Not Looking to Draw
Michael Clarke on Injury Alert
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England Recall Sidebottom, Draft Jonathan Trott as Flintoff's Cover
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Warne Wants Australia to Go for It Nasty Style
Ponting Breaks Door in Frustration After Edgbaston Wicket
Warne Lands himself in a Four Letter Misdemeanour
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Ashes T 3 Day 5 Lunch and Tea: Australia nullfiy England's Winning Chances
Ashes T 3 Day 4 Stumps: England Have the Advantage
Ashes T 3 Day 4: Day 3 Washout Sees Sedate Start to Day 4
Harmison Denies retirement, Wants Ashes Avenging
Strauss Wants more ECB Stringency for IPL
Strauss, Ponting Exchange 'Aura' Theories
Ashes Drama Dampener, Flintoff’s NASA Experience
Border Wants ‘Don’t Blame Mom’ Johnson To Take Backseat
Warne Digs into Bell, Bell Promises to Return Fare
Lord’s Blows Hot over Lampard’s Pass Up
Mitchell Johnson's Time is Up according to Australia
Langer Not Making Test Comeback
Ponting Wonders about Lord’s Reaction
Flintoff Fired Up, Pietersen Flustered
Steve Harmison Joins Retirement Brigade?
Ponting: Not Being Fooled Twice
KP To Be Made an Example for Future England Players IPL Participation?
Flintoff Endorses Gilly’s View for Fewer Tests
Johnson’s Mother blamed for His Loss of Form
Qantas Offers Low Fares to Mark Australia’s Low
Mitchell’s Mother Moans CA’s Disregard for Parents
Lee, Watson On Road to Recovery, Ponting Needs Replacements
Richard Branson's Message for the Ashes Met With Angry Responses
Kevin Pietersen Out of Ashes with Achilles Surgery, Concerns for Oz
Australia Boil Over on Umpire Misgivings
England Announce Ashes squad, minus Vaughan and Harmison
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Lee Thrives in Foreign English Soil; Defies Critics
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