The Ashes: Brisbane.

[meninblue]

Jinxed

Outside edge. Caught behind for just 5 runs. Broad strikes.

[bigfluffylemon]

Moeen on early. Bit of a gamble here - he doesn't have the control of Lyon, and Australia, especially Warner, don't tend to let visiting spinners get away with much. England are obviously hoping to bank on the amount of turn there is so far, and hope that Warner will attack a bit too much and give it away.

[meninblue]

Moeen Ali called Monty Panesar. Think that was KP's voice.

Usman out LBW to Moeen. Aussies are struggling more than England did with the bat. England were 127/2 whereas Aussies are 31/2.

[bigfluffylemon]

Wow, and Moeen pays off. Lovely bit of bowling, and that was absolutely plumb.

Big partnership here for Australia.

[meninblue]

With two lefties (Warner and Usman), Joe may have made a decision to bring on an offie for couple of overs. So i would say there was some merit in the decision and it paid off.

[meninblue]

More struggle for Aussies as Warner is out to Jake. Run rate will be choked a bit. Crucial breakthrough this.

Aussies 63/3.

[Gingerfinch]

That looked out.

[Gingerfinch]

Plumb. What was the umpire thinking? Good day for England, and will be even better if we can get the skipper.

[meninblue]

Aussies 76/4. England were 163/4. Didn't expect England to be in advantage position in first test.

[bigfluffylemon]

Plumb. What was the umpire thinking?

Agreed, couldn't believe that wasn't given initially. Good review by England, and after a poor morning they've fought back well.

While Smith is still there Australia can post a competitive total, but SMarsh and Paine are going to have to justify their selections.

[Gingerfinch]

That didn't look out.

[Durhamfootman]

SMarsh and Smith fighting back

50 for Malan, I see. All the newbies posting half centuries, is encouraging.

[Dr Cricket]

Looks like a good day play and I won’t be able to watch till maybe tomorrow because of a 12 hr work shift.

[bigfluffylemon]

A fine day's test cricket, with the initiative going one way, then the other, and the day ends with the match still evenly poised, IMO. Australia maybe a touch in front, but a couple of wickets in the first hour, with the new ball due, and England could still get a handy lead.

[alfie]

Intriguing. Still can't say who is on top as (a) couple of wickets can cause either side to implode and (b) we don't really know how this pitch (somewhat unusual for Brisbane ?) is going to develop.
It could go like 2010 ; with scores getting progressively larger throughout ...or one or both teams might collapse tomorrow...

For now : it has been a fascinating couple of days ; and at least suggests that we could be in for a competitive series.