1st Test: Australia v England at Brisbane, 7-11 Nov 2002 CricInfo Live Report

1st Test: Australia v England at Brisbane, 7-11 Nov 2002
Claire Killeen

Australia 1st innings: Day 1 Lunch, Day 1 Tea,
Pre-game: Preview,

HAYDEN AND PONTING SECURE AUSTRALIA'S POSITION
Matthew Hayden (110) and Ricky Ponting (82) have taken full advantage of batting first and in the process have secured Australia's position and a more than likely a better batting average against England. Hayden and Ponting have taken on the English bowlers, demoralised and punished them for any of their bad balls.

When Australia resumed at 1/125 from lunch, the situation looked bleak for England and when they left the field for tea at 1/233, the situation looks dire.

A loss of key fast bowler, Simon Jones (1/32) to a knee injury and poor fielding resulting in the dropping of Hayden plus giving Australia the advantage of easy runs. Jones whilst fielding took a nasty tumble into the Gabba ground trying to save four runs. Easily the most exciting, certainly the most effective of the English bowlers early in this match, Jones has been hospitalised with medial ligament damage.

After winning the toss this morning and sending Australia into bat Hussain may well be regretting the decision. Already suffering with the loss of Darren Gough and Stephen Harmison, the visitors have now lost Jones. Hussain made the decision under slightly cloudy skies, which have now cleared to produce a sunny outlook.

England are now down to three pacemen and one spinner, which now will all have to contribute just a little bit more. Matthew Hoggard (0/57) has probably been the best of the fit English bowlers, his figures though do not reflect his effort.

Fielding too has let the English side down. On many occasions, ones have been let through to two's and chances were not taken. One of the better chances was the dropping of Hayden after he reached three figures. Off the bowling of Andrew Caddick (0/69), Hayden finally miscued a shot, skying it high for Hoggard. The 25-year-old was slow to move, turned himself inside out and dropped the catch.

The miscuing of the ball has been one of only a few blemishes in the innings of Hayden. Although the Queenslander has flirted with danger- especially with the pull and hook shots, he has looked solid and powerful. Hayden brought up his century in style, taking on off-spinner Ashley Giles (0/41). He smashed a full toss to the cover boundary for four and in doing so brought up his tenth Test century, his fourth century of the year 2002 and his first against England.

His partner, Ponting too has had a run fest against England securing his fifty. He danced down the wicket and smashed Giles for two consecutive sixes. The first brought up Ponting's 50, the second brought up the Australian 200. Both batsmen have teased the viewing audience with some lovely strokes and good placement of the ball on a relatively slow outfield.

AUSTRALIA TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF ENGLAND'S INVITATION
Australia have taken full advantage of being sent into bat by England in the first Test of the Ashes series at the Gabba, Brisbane. At lunch, Australia are 1/125 with Matthew Hayden (61*) and Ricky Ponting (24*) at the crease.

Under semi-cloudy skies, Nasser Hussain won the toss and sent Australia in to bat. Looking for early wickets, Hussain and his fellow countrymen received none.

Andrew Caddick (0/44) and Matthew Hoggard (0/35) had both Justin Langer (32) and Hayden playing shots and feeling slightly uncomfortable. Yet as the two have done on many previous occasions, they took control of the match.

Consolidating a slightly slow start, Langer and Hayden took the Australian run rate close to five an over. Hoggard briefly troubled Langer as the 25-year-old got the ball to swing from off to leg early.

For the twelfth time from 20 starts, the Australian opening pair made more than 50 runs since they came together at the fifth Test of the 2001 Ashes series at The Oval.

The introduction into the English attack of youngster, Simon Jones (1/35) brought the first and only wicket of the session. In his second over, Jones got the deviation from the pitch; the nick of Langer’s bat and Alec Stewart did the rest.

Jones generates good pace off a strolling short run-up and takes the title of being the fastest bowler in the match in the absence of Brett Lee.

Jones had his hand in what could have been the second wicket. Hayden received a lifeline when he hooked the ball, with Jones taking a magnificent catch and throwing it back into the field of play. However, the umpires deemed the catch illegal as Jones did not have control of the ball and did not stay within the field of play.

The decision was unlucky for England and for Jones who did all the right things.

Hayden showed why he is ranked the No 1 batsman in the world, according to the Wisden as he notched up his eleventh classy 50 with a pull over square leg.

Although, Australia seem in control, the other thing to worry England is their over rate. In the first session they have only been able to bowl 25 overs.

AUSTRALIA AND ENGLAND GO INTO BATTLE
Australia and England meet today at the Gabba as the oldest of enemies and once again prepare for battle for an urn four inches high. Australia are hoping to continue their emphatic winning streak against the 'Mother country' having not lost a series in the past 15 years.

England come into this match very much the underdogs. Experts have predicted this series will be a whitewash, with Australia dominating and destroying the English.

England have patchy form. Since being in Australia, they have had one loss to Western Australia and two unconvincing draws to, again, Western Australia and Queensland. Injuries to key players have disrupted plans for a smooth preparation.

Strike bowler, Darren Gough has yet to bowl in a match since the English arrived three weeks ago. Gough's troublesome knee has flared up once again and the 32-year-old is seeking treatment in Adelaide. English captain, Nasser Hussain has voiced concern over the length of time that Gough will be out of the game, suggesting that he may well miss the entire Ashes series - a hefty blow for the Poms.

Stephen Harmison is also on the casualty list, a result of shin splints. To the rescue is Alex Tudor, called into the squad 72 hours before this match.

The Australians have made changes to their side since they played against Pakistan. Most noticeably will be the introduction of Darren Lehmann. The 32-year-old replaces Mark Waugh after his axing and then consequent retirement from International duties.

Queenslander, Andrew Bichel comes into the starting XI with Brett Lee being named 12th man. Lee will play for New South Wales tomorrow at the Sydney Cricket Ground against Tasmania, an indication the selectors want to use him at later stages in the series.

Adam Gilchrist and Jason Gillespie have both overcome their concerns before this match. Gilchrist had an elbow infection, which required hospitalisation and Gillespie tore his calf muscle in the recent series against Pakistan.

The English preparation has been slow, yet their top order showed some positive signs against Queensland. Opener Michael Vaughan had a good innings smashing 127, including 23 fours and a six before Nathan Hauritz cleaned him up. Mark Butcher and Marcus Trescothick both had an encouraging innings.

Today’s match coincides with Remembrance Day, when these two teams where fighting the common enemy and fought in one of the hardest battles. To acknowledge this day in both countries histories, the ACB in conjunction with the RSL will award a player the Inaugural Spirit of ANZAC. This is for the player who embodies the spirit of an ANZAC - courage, mateship, teamwork, sportsmanship and humour.