From 0-1 to 517-1 in the space of an innings - what a Test Match. When Andrew Strauss was out for a third ball duck on the first morning of the first Ashes Test, one couldn’t help but have flashbacks of Steve Harmison’s first delivery at the Gabba, back in 2006. Would Strauss’s misplaced cut shot be as foreboding as that wide? Would it set the tone for the entire series? By the end of day one it certainly seemed that way. Bowled out for just 260, with Australian birthday boy Peter Siddle getting a hat trick, England looked well below par and the script was all but written - another victory for Australia at the Brisbane fortress.
Yet, this was not the England of old but the England of Flower and Strauss. Resilient and determined, they fought back brilliantly on day two snaring five Aussie wickets before that record 307 run partnership between Hussey and Haddin (who reached 195 and 136 respectively), took hold. While it cannot be denied that both played brilliantly, it should not be overlooked that both (particularly Hussey) rode their luck. With the new ball, Anderson was simply wonderful. Indeed, it was as much a result of his bowling (as well as that of Stuart Broad) that Steven Finn managed to get the breakthrough, snaring the wicket of Hussey with a short delivery. Once the two stalwarts had departed, England mopped up the Australian tale with relative ease; Finn ending with a six-for and his best Test figures to date. In fact, had it not been for the two H’s Australia would have struggled to surpass England’s total, with the likes of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clark and Marcus North all failing to make contributions. As it was though, Australia had managed to amass a lead of 221 runs. A total big enough to cause a few nerves. Was another England collapse on the way?
The reality was in fact, much different, as for the first time in over eighty years, England’s top three batsman each reached three figures. Strauss, looking to be positive and showing his mental toughness by putting his initial failure well and truly behind him, made 110. Yes, one could argue that he was also lucky, (surviving an early shout for lbw and being dropped early on by the less than impressive Mitchell Johnson), there was no such luck involved for his opening partner. With more doubts hanging over him than any other English batsman, Alastair Cook showed exactly why he deserves his place in the team. A beautifully complied innings of 235 not out, silenced both his critics and the Aussies. With a further 135 added by Jonathon Trott, England had not only saved the Test match but had also gained the upper hand, forcing Australia to bat again; a tense few hours, which saw them lose their opener, Simon Katich. At just after 4pm, local time, both Captains shock hands and the match was drawn.
What can explain such a remarkable turn around in the space of just one innings then. Maybe the pitch had more in it for the bowlers on day one, a result of all the wet weather around Australia recently? Or perhaps England were simply nervous? Either way, they recovered brilliantly and have undoubtedly stolen the initiative. (Bowling Australia out in their first innings while making them toil in the field for two days, with one solitary wicket their only reward, being key). While taking twenty wickets will be tough for both sides, England seem the most likely to accomplish such a feat. A fact not lost on the Aussie selectors as they bring two new pacemen, Ryan Harris and Doug Bollinger, into the attack. If they will play and, more importantly, if they will make a difference awaits to be seen.
Bring on the next Test.
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