England looked resistant on the fourth day and none would have imagined the Kangaroos would end all so quickly at the Gabba. England’s remote hopes of saving the first Test met a resurgent blow when Kevin Peterson was dismissed in the very first over without adding any runs to his over night total of 92 on the fifth and final day of the first Test. Aussies have kicked their Ashes campaign in style, winning the first Test by a mammoth margin of 277 runs.
England was completely outplayed by the Oz’s in the first three days of the Test, with the visiting bowlers struggling to deliver the goods for the side. However, the fourth day was marked with a gallant effort from Kevin Peterson and Paul Collingwood, who daunted the Australians with their formidable innings- they may not have been able to save the game for the visitors but will certainly give a lot of heart to the side. The Urn holders can give the host a run for their money in the remaining Tests provided the English can reassemble their bowling.
The Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was named the Man-of-the-Match for his 196 and unbeaten 60, he quoted,
“It’s a really pleasing start for us but it was same in the last series, we won the first game and then things went wrong so we won’t be getting carried away,”
The win is a perfect start to the summer in Australia - Though, the Aussies will try an overcome the mistakes they had done last year when they won the first Test and then lost the other two, losing the prestigious trophy. Whereas Freddy and his men will try and come out hard on them in the second Test leaving no stone unturned in defending the urn.
Comments
Fantastic performance by Australia, against a badly prepared poor performing side. I’m Irish moving to live in Brisbane shortly, I support Australia big time. But I tell you though, I’m worried.
It will all depend on Adelaide. this is the key now to the series. The way the poms fought back on day 4 worries me. Can they play as bad again ? They bowled pathetic, their batting was inconsistent. If they start to get things together and even get a draw at Adelaide I tell you they will fight all the way. after day 3 I thought we would win by an innings or more, I didn’t like the fight back and I tell you this is a bigger worry than many Australians realise. Can this ageing Australia side full of legends, hold out on 5 matches, fitness will tell. I don’t know if they can. If we can beat them at Adelaide they will crumble, Come on Australia go for broke in Adelaide and a 5 - 0 whitewash is on. Break their hearts, otherwise they could sneak a series draw and hold on to the Ashes. Let’s hope not.