***Official*** 1st Test at The Gabba

[Craig]

I disagree. All of Anderson, Hoggard and Giles bowled good spells from time to time, but Anderson was the most consistent. Bowled very well this morning in two pre-lunch spells and against other batsmen may have gotten a few wickets. Hoggard bowled one excellent spell in the afternoon, but was generally less threatening I think.

Giles was very good yesterday but quite ordinary today. Still doesn't put enough work on the ball to make batsmen nervous hitting him straight, and relies mostly on keeping it fairly tight.

I think we can all agree that Flintoff was the best and Harmison was horrible. I don't think England's performance was entirely responsible for the 600+ score though. They bowled poorly at times certainly, but the fielding and a fair chunk of the bowling was good, especially on day two. It was just some fantastic batting.

I would have picked Panesar instead.

Panesar IMO would more likely to take wickets whereas I think Giles is more of a containing bowler and support the rest of the guys in the attack.

[Slow Love™]

If you were one of the English openers, how would you go about it? I guess I would pretend there is no total on the board from Australia and just bat normally and not worry about the total. But I guess that is easier said then done.

I'd sledge the crap out of McGrath and Lee, and hit them for six after six. But that's just my way, I realise it's different for everybody.

[Craig]

Hahaha.

Slater is now blabering on about Strauss could of played for Australia since he lived in Melbourne for 18 months when they moved there from South Africa.

Lol!

[Slow Love™]

Impressive umpiring, IMO.

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I thought Bucknor had really improved in recent times, and I really think he has. Cook looked almost gone, but it was high.

[Craig]

Cook batting well here.

What a boost for England if they can finish at stumps with no wickets lost.

I've probably cursed them now.

[chalky]

Cook gets away with a tight LBW shout from Lee - good decision though just a little high

[Craig]

Cook batting well here.

What a boost for England if they can finish at stumps with no wickets lost.

I've probably cursed them now.

I did it.

But Hussey and Lee ran into each other and Lee not looking good.

Strauss gone for 12.

[pasag]

Hahaha. Funniest catch. Strauss is gonee for 12. Glenn!

[chalky]

Cook batting well here.

What a boost for England if they can finish at stumps with no wickets lost.

I've probably cursed them now.

You bastard

[pasag]

Not so funny any more, hope Lee isn't hurt.

[Craig]

You bastard

I had it coming.

[Slow Love™]

Fantastic catch taken by Hussey, and Strauss is gone - but Lee looks to be in a bit of trouble with some blood around. Almost had a Gillespie/Waugh incident, there.

Personally, though, I think Hussey should have left it for Lee, as Lee was running in, and Hussey seemed more to be running with the flight of it. Well taken, though.

[chalky]

wrong line for the pull really too wide of off stump.

[Craig]

Cook is gone now and McGrath is on a hattrick.

[FaaipDeOiad]

What a fantastic catch by Hussey!

One other thing to note, even though McGrath has been uncharacteristically wayward so far, is his pace. A lot of people have suggested it was down and so on, but he's being clocked consistently between 130 and 135 kph on Australian speed guns, which is where he's always been.

The ball from Lee to Strauss that was almost LBW was absolutely fantastic as well. Seamed back a mile.