What have we learned?: That England can bat. When it suits them. Australia's bowling attack isn't up to much. And the pitch at the Gabba was a dog.
What have Australia learned about their team?: That the bowling attack isn't good enough. Doherty is not a test standard spinner, and Mitchell Johnson had a shocker.
Where do Australia go from here?: Probably dropping Johnson and Doherty, and going for a four man pace attack (with Watson), and North / Clarke / Katich to add spin.
Is this a good idea?: Not really. Despite having one of the worst tests ever, Mitchell Johnson is Australia's best bowler (even if he didn't show it at the Gabba). He will come good.
What have England learned about their team?: That they made the right selection.
Where do England go from here?: No need to go anywhere. Team is settled, no need to disrupt it.
Is this a good idea?: Yes. If it ain't broke...
Who won each day?:
Day 1 - Australia.
Day 2 - Draw.
Day 3 - Australia.
Day 4 - England
Day 5 - England
Was the result fair?: Yes. The slow death of the pitch meant that a result was never really going to happen. And both teams had spells where they dominated, before being clawed back, so a draw was fair.
Man of the match: Alastair Cook - gritty in the first innings, expansive and brilliant second up.
Honourable mentions: Peter Siddle for 6 and a hattrick. Mike Hussey for an equally good 195. Props to Haddin. Strauss and Trott for handy tons. Steve Finn for plugging away to take 6. And don't forget Ian Bell's plucky 76 on Day 1.
Who has the all-important Ashes Momentum?: The way England fought their way back in Days 4 and 5 was massive, and could really play a part in Aussie mindset throughout the series. Advantage England.
Enjoy the 1st Ashes Test? Relive it with the Short Midwicket!
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Showing posts with label Ashes: Brisbane. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ashes: Brisbane. Show all posts
Monday, 29 November 2010
Podcast - Ashes: Brisbane Day 5
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Records were tumbling as Cook and Trott piled 'em on at the Gabba, and Will piles more misery onto the Australian team. Where there is a result, however, is in the Fantasy Ashes, where someone goes 1-0 up, and there's a bit of man love surrounding Graeme Swann (and for once it isn't Will towards Swanny).
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
Records were tumbling as Cook and Trott piled 'em on at the Gabba, and Will piles more misery onto the Australian team. Where there is a result, however, is in the Fantasy Ashes, where someone goes 1-0 up, and there's a bit of man love surrounding Graeme Swann (and for once it isn't Will towards Swanny).
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
Day Five At Brisbane
Background: Hundreds for Strauss and Cook meant that England let by 80 with only one wicket down.
How did it start: Cook with an unbeaten century, and Trott with an unbeaten fifty at the crease.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: They bowled even worse than yesterday
Where did it all go right for Australia?: England declared.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: Didn't have time for Cook to make his 500.
Where did it all go right for England?: Not losing a wicket all day, Cook's maiden double ton, Trott's second successive Ashes century, gaining loads of momentum and disheartening Australia massively.
Who won each session?: Morning - England. Afternoon - England. Evening - Nobody was that bothered.
Who won the day?: England. Again.
Crumb of comfort?: At least Australia didn't lose too many wickets.
Shot of the day: Trott's lofted drive over straight on. Gorge.
Ball of the day: Broad getting Katich. The only wicket taking ball of the day.
Man of the day: Ally Cook. Honourable mention to Trott.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: The Ashes on Twitter. An American woman left very confused by her new found celebrity status.
How did it start: Cook with an unbeaten century, and Trott with an unbeaten fifty at the crease.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: They bowled even worse than yesterday
Where did it all go right for Australia?: England declared.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: Didn't have time for Cook to make his 500.
Where did it all go right for England?: Not losing a wicket all day, Cook's maiden double ton, Trott's second successive Ashes century, gaining loads of momentum and disheartening Australia massively.
Who won each session?: Morning - England. Afternoon - England. Evening - Nobody was that bothered.
Who won the day?: England. Again.
Crumb of comfort?: At least Australia didn't lose too many wickets.
Shot of the day: Trott's lofted drive over straight on. Gorge.
Ball of the day: Broad getting Katich. The only wicket taking ball of the day.
Man of the day: Ally Cook. Honourable mention to Trott.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: The Ashes on Twitter. An American woman left very confused by her new found celebrity status.
Sunday, 28 November 2010
Podcast - Ashes: Brisbane Day 4
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Strauss and Cook put on a masterclass in batting (ish), and England are back into the game. Will looks at who can (or will) win this game, and whether a result is likely. Will's dad was too busy watching Wagner, so Will tackles the Fantasy Ashes alone. And someone put a chair on David Gower's foot.
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
Strauss and Cook put on a masterclass in batting (ish), and England are back into the game. Will looks at who can (or will) win this game, and whether a result is likely. Will's dad was too busy watching Wagner, so Will tackles the Fantasy Ashes alone. And someone put a chair on David Gower's foot.
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
Day Four At Brisbane
Background: Australia well in the lead. England needing to bat for 2 days to get a draw.
How did it start: Strauss and Cook batting for England after getting through unscathed from 15 overs the previous evening.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: They bowled shit.
Where did it all go right for Australia?: North took a wicket.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: North took a wicket.
Where did it all go right for England?: Twin hundreds for Strauss and Cook, only one wicket lost all day (North took a wicket).
Who won each session?: England. England. England.
Who won the day?: England
Crumb of comfort?: England only lead by 90...
Shot of the day: One of Strauss's many exquisite cover drives.
Ball of the day: North taking a wicket.
Man of the day: Strauss and Cook. Also Trott.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: David Gower getting a chair on his foot. Hilarious.
How did it start: Strauss and Cook batting for England after getting through unscathed from 15 overs the previous evening.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: They bowled shit.
Where did it all go right for Australia?: North took a wicket.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: North took a wicket.
Where did it all go right for England?: Twin hundreds for Strauss and Cook, only one wicket lost all day (North took a wicket).
Who won each session?: England. England. England.
Who won the day?: England
Crumb of comfort?: England only lead by 90...
Shot of the day: One of Strauss's many exquisite cover drives.
Ball of the day: North taking a wicket.
Man of the day: Strauss and Cook. Also Trott.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: David Gower getting a chair on his foot. Hilarious.
Saturday, 27 November 2010
Podcast - Ashes: Brisbane Day 3 - Cock and Stress
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Just one of those days. Mike Hussey made 195, Dad pulled away in the Fantasy Ashes, and my microphone wouldn't work properly.
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
Just one of those days. Mike Hussey made 195, Dad pulled away in the Fantasy Ashes, and my microphone wouldn't work properly.
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
Day Three At Brisbane
Background: Game massively in the balance. A few early wickets for England get them right into the game, but a handy partnership for Hussey and Haddin (with useful runs with the tail) could see Australia get a bit of a lead.
How did it start: With Haddin and Hussey in all sorts of trouble to an English attack looking incredibly dangerous
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: They didn't get many runs at the end. But a very minor black mark.
Where did it all go right for Australia?: Everywhere else. A 300 run partnership between Haddin and Hussey; hundreds for them both, England made to toil in the field, and a 240 run lead.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: Didn't get the wickets their early bowling deserved. Got frustrated late as Australia ploughed on.
Where did it all go right for England?: Finn took a 6 for. Albeit the worst six-fer since Broad took one at Headingley last year.
Who won each session?: All three - Australia. But England did eventually take a few wickets in the evening.
Who won the day?: I'm going to stick my neck out and say Australia.
Crumb of comfort?: Mike Hussey can't be that lucky again. And the bowlers can't be that unlucky again.
Shot of the day: Who knows? They all blended into one.
Ball of the day: Any of Anderson's opening spell. I'll plump for the one that went through Hussey and somehow missed the edge and the stumps.
Man of the day: Both Hussey and Haddin.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: My Sky packed in.
How did it start: With Haddin and Hussey in all sorts of trouble to an English attack looking incredibly dangerous
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: They didn't get many runs at the end. But a very minor black mark.
Where did it all go right for Australia?: Everywhere else. A 300 run partnership between Haddin and Hussey; hundreds for them both, England made to toil in the field, and a 240 run lead.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: Didn't get the wickets their early bowling deserved. Got frustrated late as Australia ploughed on.
Where did it all go right for England?: Finn took a 6 for. Albeit the worst six-fer since Broad took one at Headingley last year.
Who won each session?: All three - Australia. But England did eventually take a few wickets in the evening.
Who won the day?: I'm going to stick my neck out and say Australia.
Crumb of comfort?: Mike Hussey can't be that lucky again. And the bowlers can't be that unlucky again.
Shot of the day: Who knows? They all blended into one.
Ball of the day: Any of Anderson's opening spell. I'll plump for the one that went through Hussey and somehow missed the edge and the stumps.
Man of the day: Both Hussey and Haddin.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: My Sky packed in.
Friday, 26 November 2010
Podcast - Ashes: Brisbane Day 2
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England are right slap bang in the middle of a test match, and Will has a look at where this one will go. On a knife edge. In the balance. Ashes cricket at it's finest. Plus some more Fantasy Ashes with Will's dad, and Shane Warne as Tweet of the Day.
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
England are right slap bang in the middle of a test match, and Will has a look at where this one will go. On a knife edge. In the balance. Ashes cricket at it's finest. Plus some more Fantasy Ashes with Will's dad, and Shane Warne as Tweet of the Day.
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
Day Two At Brisbane
Background: England got 260 (below par) - the Aussies got fired up and Siddle took a hattrick.
How did it start: With Watson and Katich batting for Australia - and England not really looking like taking many wickets.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: With a few players looking not great - Michael Clarke and Marcus North especially.
Where did it all go right for Australia?: A good opening partnership, and a good final partnership of the day between Hussey and Haddin. Hussey's apparent return to form will be a big plus.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: Didn't look all too threatening in the morning and evening sessions which allowed Australia to put on some big partnerships.
Where did it all go right for England?: A brilliant hour at the start of the afternoon session got England right back into the game. Anderson and Finn's bowling especially will give them confidence.
Who won each session?: Morning - Australia. Afternoon - England. Evening - Australia.
Who won the day?: Probably England - got right back into this game. Would have wanted a couple of wickets in the evening - but Australia probably still in pole position in this game.
Crumb of comfort?: England's bowling attack will take great heart for the hour at the start of the afternoon where Australia couldn't score any runs, and wickets looked likely every delivery.
Shot of the day: Hussey's lofted six over mid on off Swann signalled intent, and a return to form for Mr Cricket
Ball of the day: Swann's to North - a great display of off-spin bowling to a left hander. Honourable mention to Jimmy Anderson's ball that got rid of Watson.
Man of the day: Mike Hussey. A great innings under pressure when his side needed it.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: For a man of 6 foot 8 with notably rubbish balance, Steve Finn's diving catch to dismiss Katich, as well as another diving stop off his own bowling was remarkable "hands for a big man".
How did it start: With Watson and Katich batting for Australia - and England not really looking like taking many wickets.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: With a few players looking not great - Michael Clarke and Marcus North especially.
Where did it all go right for Australia?: A good opening partnership, and a good final partnership of the day between Hussey and Haddin. Hussey's apparent return to form will be a big plus.
Where did it all go wrong for England?: Didn't look all too threatening in the morning and evening sessions which allowed Australia to put on some big partnerships.
Where did it all go right for England?: A brilliant hour at the start of the afternoon session got England right back into the game. Anderson and Finn's bowling especially will give them confidence.
Who won each session?: Morning - Australia. Afternoon - England. Evening - Australia.
Who won the day?: Probably England - got right back into this game. Would have wanted a couple of wickets in the evening - but Australia probably still in pole position in this game.
Crumb of comfort?: England's bowling attack will take great heart for the hour at the start of the afternoon where Australia couldn't score any runs, and wickets looked likely every delivery.
Shot of the day: Hussey's lofted six over mid on off Swann signalled intent, and a return to form for Mr Cricket
Ball of the day: Swann's to North - a great display of off-spin bowling to a left hander. Honourable mention to Jimmy Anderson's ball that got rid of Watson.
Man of the day: Mike Hussey. A great innings under pressure when his side needed it.
And finally... Ashes Oddity: For a man of 6 foot 8 with notably rubbish balance, Steve Finn's diving catch to dismiss Katich, as well as another diving stop off his own bowling was remarkable "hands for a big man".
Finn Musings
Finn's had a nice start to his test career. His first 4 tests were against Bangladesh, which was fun. And he then played four against a Pakistani side who couldn't be bothered to bat.
He hasn't really had much to do in his short career. Without actually doing anything too good, he's found his way onto an Ashes tour with an average of 23. He certainly won't end the tour with an average of 23.
Nobody really knows what Finn will be. Is he a McGrath - someone who probes outside off stump, testing the batsman's technique and being able to seam it around. England don't really do McGraths. We do Harmisons - big, tall fast men who "wang it down" as fast as they can, bouncing it around the batsman's eyes before shattering his stumps.
At the moment, Finn isn't either. He wants to be a McGrath, but at the moment, he's a McGrath without something. He lacks a bit of nip; an X Factor that gets the best batsmen out. As I'm writing (Day 2 Morning of Brisbane test), Finn has bowled half-trackers and half-volleys, been misdirected and malaligned, and hasn't looked like getting anyone out.
Skipper Strauss has told Finn to test Katich and Watson, and has sprayed it around. He hasn't consistently attacked the stumps, he hasn't probed in the corridor, he hasn't really done anything. I'm not sure if I'm saying Finn should or shouldn't be in the side. I'd just like to see him start taking some wickets, otherwise this could be a long tour for England's tallest ever Ashes player.
He hasn't really had much to do in his short career. Without actually doing anything too good, he's found his way onto an Ashes tour with an average of 23. He certainly won't end the tour with an average of 23.
Nobody really knows what Finn will be. Is he a McGrath - someone who probes outside off stump, testing the batsman's technique and being able to seam it around. England don't really do McGraths. We do Harmisons - big, tall fast men who "wang it down" as fast as they can, bouncing it around the batsman's eyes before shattering his stumps.
At the moment, Finn isn't either. He wants to be a McGrath, but at the moment, he's a McGrath without something. He lacks a bit of nip; an X Factor that gets the best batsmen out. As I'm writing (Day 2 Morning of Brisbane test), Finn has bowled half-trackers and half-volleys, been misdirected and malaligned, and hasn't looked like getting anyone out.
Skipper Strauss has told Finn to test Katich and Watson, and has sprayed it around. He hasn't consistently attacked the stumps, he hasn't probed in the corridor, he hasn't really done anything. I'm not sure if I'm saying Finn should or shouldn't be in the side. I'd just like to see him start taking some wickets, otherwise this could be a long tour for England's tallest ever Ashes player.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
Podcast - Ashes: Brisbane Day One
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England didn't do so well, but Australia did. Especially P Siddley. But it's not all doom and gloom for England, as Will explains. Plus more Fantasy Ashes chat, and Freddie Flintoff's take on the day's play. (Thanks to Sky Sports for the commentary!)
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
England didn't do so well, but Australia did. Especially P Siddley. But it's not all doom and gloom for England, as Will explains. Plus more Fantasy Ashes chat, and Freddie Flintoff's take on the day's play. (Thanks to Sky Sports for the commentary!)
Go to The Short Midwicket Podcasts on Podbean
Day One at Brisbane
Background: Great preparation for England, winning loads of warm ups with a settled and happy side. Not so much for Australia, who only decided on their team the day before, and come into this test on the back of 3 test defeats in a row.
How did it start: With a bit of a ceremony. The teams lined up for a minutes silence for the NZ Miners, and then we had a "Welcome To Australia" speech. Everyone sang along to the national anthems (curiously except Hilfenhaus - German?) and we got underway. Strauss won the toss and had a bat.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: Allowing Cook and Bell to get on top of them during the second session. And a sort-of costly drop of Cook from Doherty early
Where did it all go right for Australia?: Peter Siddle's hat trick. That, and constant wickets throughout, restricted England to a below par 260
Where did it all go wrong for England?: Strauss getting a third ball duck didn't help, neither did losing three in three later on.
Where did it all go right for England?: The form of Ian Bell looks superb; only giving his wicket away at the end when batting with the tail. Pietersen looks in a good place with his game, and signs of improvement from Cook.
Who won each session?: Morning - honours even. Just about. But probably shaded by Australia. Afternoon - same again. But maybe England with two set batsmen felt happier. Evening - Australia. 6 wickets for not many runs, and getting through the last few overs unscathed.
Who won the day?: Australia. Big time. Restricted England to a below par score, and have already started to chip away at it.
Crumb of comfort?: A few of England's top order looked in good nick, with Bell and Cook passing fifty, and Pietersen looking likely to go on (before he got out of course).
Shot of the day: Jimmy Anderson's reverse sweep off Doherty for 4. (Before he tried the same shot again and missed it)
Ball of the day: Peter Siddle's ball to Prior (the second part of the hat trick). Bowled him middle stump; Prior was nowhere near it.
Man of the day: Peter Siddle. How could it be anyone else?
And finally... Ashes Oddity: The "Welcome To Australia" bloke's tie. That, and the sheer amount of moustaches on show. I know it's Movember and all, but that was ridiculous.
How did it start: With a bit of a ceremony. The teams lined up for a minutes silence for the NZ Miners, and then we had a "Welcome To Australia" speech. Everyone sang along to the national anthems (curiously except Hilfenhaus - German?) and we got underway. Strauss won the toss and had a bat.
Where did it all go wrong for Australia?: Allowing Cook and Bell to get on top of them during the second session. And a sort-of costly drop of Cook from Doherty early
Where did it all go right for Australia?: Peter Siddle's hat trick. That, and constant wickets throughout, restricted England to a below par 260
Where did it all go wrong for England?: Strauss getting a third ball duck didn't help, neither did losing three in three later on.
Where did it all go right for England?: The form of Ian Bell looks superb; only giving his wicket away at the end when batting with the tail. Pietersen looks in a good place with his game, and signs of improvement from Cook.
Who won each session?: Morning - honours even. Just about. But probably shaded by Australia. Afternoon - same again. But maybe England with two set batsmen felt happier. Evening - Australia. 6 wickets for not many runs, and getting through the last few overs unscathed.
Who won the day?: Australia. Big time. Restricted England to a below par score, and have already started to chip away at it.
Crumb of comfort?: A few of England's top order looked in good nick, with Bell and Cook passing fifty, and Pietersen looking likely to go on (before he got out of course).
Shot of the day: Jimmy Anderson's reverse sweep off Doherty for 4. (Before he tried the same shot again and missed it)
Ball of the day: Peter Siddle's ball to Prior (the second part of the hat trick). Bowled him middle stump; Prior was nowhere near it.
Man of the day: Peter Siddle. How could it be anyone else?
And finally... Ashes Oddity: The "Welcome To Australia" bloke's tie. That, and the sheer amount of moustaches on show. I know it's Movember and all, but that was ridiculous.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Podcast - Ashes: Brisbane Preview
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Cor blimey - it's the Ashes! A preview of the Brisbane test filled with pure excitement. And with the start of the Ashes comes the start of the Fantasy Ashes (email in to shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk to get involved). Aaaaaargh I'm excited!
Cor blimey - it's the Ashes! A preview of the Brisbane test filled with pure excitement. And with the start of the Ashes comes the start of the Fantasy Ashes (email in to shortmidwicketpodcast@hotmail.co.uk to get involved). Aaaaaargh I'm excited!
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