Lord's, 21st - 25th July - Click Here for Day 2 Report | Day 3 Report | Day 4 Report

Day One - Lord's - Match Scorecard

If anyone doubted England's pedigree ahead of today's Test at Lord's, they need look no further than the score at lunch. Five wickets were taken in the first session of play for only 97 runs. Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat on a dry but cloud covered day, a decision he would certainly regret come 12:30 today. It was a dubious decision to bat given the conditions and with Harmison striking Justin Langer on the elbow with the second ball of the day echoed those doubts.Langer continued after a brief stop in play to treat the bump that rapidly rose on his elbow, looking with growing discomfort as it was treated.

Hayden looked unconvincing early on, while despite his injury, Langer played his cavalier shots, swatting the ball to the off-side boundary. It was Langer who kept the scoreboard ticking over in quick style, indeed looking the brilliant Test player he is. The conditions certainly favoured England's swing and seam attack, all bowlers causing the batsmen a certain amount of grief. Hoggard was the first to strike when he completely bamboozled Hayden, delivering an totally unplayable delivery to the Australian batsman. The ball swung into the stumps from outside the left-hander's off stump, Hayden playing all around the ball and could only watch on as the ball struck the wicket, Hayden had gone for 13.

Ponting had a lucky escape when he was dropped by Kevin Pietersen fielding at a close gully position, the captain was on 0. He was then hit on the visor while attempting to pull a short delivery by Harmison. The skin was cut and blood poured out from under the helmet. His innings didn't last very long however and he fell for nine when playing a defensive shot to Harmison, Strauss taking a straight forward catch at third slip.

England had their tail up at this point and this was enforced further when Langer fell to Flintoff (top edge pull to square leg) and Martyn was caught behind giving Simon Jones his first wicket. With Australia intent of closing the shop ahead of the lunch interval, Rudi Koertzen deliberated a leg before appeal from Simon Jones for what seemed an age before raising his finger, Clarke the victim to a harsh call.

Katich and Gilchrist managed to make it to lunch without the loss of any further wickets and at lunch on day one, Australia were looking down the barrel of a gun at 5 for 97, England well in control.

Following the lunch interval and despite the loss of five wickets in the morning session, Australia attacked the English bowling from the off, Gilchrist flailing the ball to all parts, reaching 26 in quick time before Flintoff captured his wicket. The score was now 6 for 126. Shane Warne and Simon Katich produced the best partnership of the innings, scoring 49 before Harmison bowled Warne behind his legs. two balls later Katich was back in the pavilion, again Harmison the victor.

Without the addition of another run, Lee was the next batsmen to fall, Harmison taking his fourth wicket of the day, the score was now 9 for 178. McGrath (10*) and Gillespie put on a valuable 12 run partnership before Gillespie became Harmison's fifth wicket and Australia were all out for 190. it would prove a challenging total by the end of day one.

Strauss and Trescothick survived the five overs leading up to tea, both Lee and McGrath bowling with great line and length, giving away a miserly 10 runs at tea.

Things changed immediately following the tea interval, McGrath accounting for Trescothick's wicket, his 500th in Test cricket, when he was caught in the slips by Langer. Strauss followed four balls later, once again caught in the slips, this time Warne the recipient, moving low to take the catch.

Six overs and seven runs later, Vaughan became McGrath's third victim when he played back to one. Bell and Flintoff fell with the addition of only three more runs, McGrath taking both wickets as the ball jagged off the seam and on occasion stayed low. England were in dire straits at 5 for 21.

Pietersen and Jones then put on a 58 run partnership following McGrath's omission from the attack, he had bowled 13 overs without rest and conceded just 21 runs bowling five maidens. With only three overs left in the day due to the 6pm finishing time, Lee produced a snorter of a delivery, Jones fending to Gilchrist to take the catch with ease. Lee was fired up and had Giles in a ll sorts of problems from the off. Giles was caught by Langer at silly mid off Lee overstepping the mark producing a no-ball. However Lee took his revenge with the last ball of the day, Giles stepping on his wicket and caught by Gilchrist diving to his left. It was a shame Giles stepped on his wicket, the catch deserved to stand!

At the close of play on day one, England in reply to Australia's 190 all out are 7 for 92.

Day Two - Lord's - Match Scorecard

Kevin Pietersen sparkled this morning scoring a maiden half century before he was magnificently caught at deep mid-wicket by Martyn, Shane Warne his Hampshire colleague and all round mate the victorious bowler. His approach had been circumspect but once Hoggard departed to Warne without scoring, Pietersen opened his shoulders, fearful of running out of partners.

Glenn McGrath didn't look a patch on the bowler of yesterday going for 15 runs in four balls to Pietersen including a six on the pavilion's first floor balcony, Warne also suffering a six before he had his revenge.

Jones and Harmison added 33 runs for the last wicket in entertaining fashion, Jones scoring 19 quickfire runs. Lee, despite leaking runs in his first over had Harmison caught at mid-off to end the England innings 35 runs in arrears, all out for 155.

In reply, Australia were reeling when Langer gifted his wicket to England, run out from a direct hit by new boy Pietersen. it was a judgment in error by Langer who had looked composed in his short innings. At the other end, Langer's opening partner looked assured and in control, a direct contrast to his first innings. hayden had made his way before he fell once again to a pull shot that fell onto his wicket following a bottom edge. Australia were 2 for 54.

Ponting and Martyn added 46 runs for the third wicket, the Australian captain ruthless to anything that fell on his leg side. Ponting was the next to go when he was caught by substitute fielder James Hildreth at point. despite the loss of their captain, Clarke and Martyn worked hard in the middle, gradually building their partnership and in so doing, moving the advantage away from England.

The fourth wicket fell following a 155 run partnership, easily the best of the Test. Clarke fell nine runs short of a deserved century playing on from a Hoggard delivery. Clarke had had a lucky escape earlier in his innings when Pietersen dropped a straight forward opportunity with the batsman on 21, it was Pietersens second drop of the innings.

Harmison began the very next over with the wicket of Martyn who failed to keep out a delivery that cruelly kept low, trapped leg before for 65. Despite the sudden loss of two wickets, Australia thanks to the century partnership were in good shape, England seemingly out of contention.

Just when the home side looked out for the count, Flintoff dismissed dangerman Gilchrist for 10 and Harmison with what proved to be the final ball of the second day accounted for Warne's wicket when he was caught at Gully by Ashley Giles. At the close of play, Australia are 314 runs ahead with only three wickets left. Two early strikes tomorrow and it will be game on, advantage England.

Day Three - Lord's - Match Scorecard

It was a frustrating morning for England as they battled to close the Australian second innings this morning, the Australian tailenders wagging under cloud cover at Lord's.

Simon Katich led the way with a well crafted 67 until he was eventually caught at third man by Simon Jones who during the course of the morning session saw countless chances dropped by his team mates.

Brett Lee was the first to go, run out by Giles who threw down the stumps with no back up cover, Lee was left stranded after deciding to run late. England would have thought that it was only a matter of time at this point with only Gillespie and McGrath to come in. However, Katich shared in a 52 run stand with Gillespie before he was bowled by Jones and a 43 run partnership with McGrath.

Andrew Flintoff struggled with his direction bowling up the hill from the Nursery End and Simon Jones fell victim to the odd poor delivery and slack fielding. What will concern the England camp is the turn around in the poor fielding shown in the Test match with six catches dropped in the second innings and three in the first, Fletcher will not be happy.

By lunch Australia led by 407 and when Katich fell shortly after the interval the lead had increased to 420 runs.

Trescothick and Strauss responded well to the mammoth total set of 420 by Australia to win the Test, both comfortable on a wicket that had both slowed and evened out during the morning's play. More importantly perhaps, McGrath finished his first spell of eight overs wicketless.

The pair put on a well crafted half century and indeed looked in little trouble facing McGrath and Lee. Just ahead of tea, Warne was introduced and looked in devastating form, Trescothick seemed to struggle picking his deliveries. In the last over before tea Warne was unlucky not have had the openers wicket but umpire Dar turned down the appeal. If Trescothick thought he was fortunate to have survived that appeal, the final ball going into the interval was bang on in front but once again Dar turned down the Victorian's optimistic appeal. Replay's suggested Australia were cheated out of their first wicket.

Lee returned to the attack and looked fired up. Strauss was keen to hook Lee at every opportunity and it was his downfall in the end when a ball got on him quicker than expected. He caught the toe end of the bad and Lee took a magnificent diving catch to break the opening partnership. England's first wicket fell with the score on 80 runs in the 27th over.

16 runs later Warne had his revenge over Trescothick when he had him caught at first slip by Hayden for 44. It was a good catch from Hayden, the ball moving quickly past Gilchrist giving him no time to react.

Both Lee and Warne were well into their game at this point and in a devastating spell that conceded 15 runs a further three wickets fell, namely Vaughan, Bell and Flintoff. Warne accounted for Bell (failed to pick a slider and was trapped dead in front) and Flintoff (caught behind for three). Lee sent Vaughan's off stump cartwheeling back towards the slips cordon for four, the second fail of the Test for the captain.

It was left to Pietersen and Jones to see England through to the close of play, Pietersen looking aggressive hooking Lee for a massive six into the pavilion. Despite a dubious decision from umpire Koertzen, Australia failed to take another wicket in the remaining time and at close on day three England found themselves 5 for 156, 264 runs behind.

Day Four - Lord's - Match Scorecard

Play began at 15:45 after no play was possible in the first two sessions due to persistent rain. However only 20 minutes of play was possible before rain fell once again to halt the Australian progress. Glenn McGrath wasted little time sending both Jones and Giles back to the change-rooms in his second over of the day.

Jones' Test didn't improve when he attempted a pull from McGrath, only succeeding to miss time the ball to a waiting Gillespie at Mid on. Giles lasted two ball before he fell to a confident catch by Hayden at 4th slip. Pietersen added three runs to his overnight total when play was halted.

Five minutes after play was temporarily suspended, the players returned and McGrath continued where he left off, immediately trapping Hoggard in front of the wicket, Koertzen having not trouble in deciding the bowlers fate. Three balls into warne's next over he accounted for Harmison with a first ball leg before decision, Harmison failing to pick the straight delivery. England were reeling at 9 for 167 and only Simon Jones left to defend the hopeless situation.

Pietersen took the attack Warne in the next over hitting the Victorian for 12 runs including a big six but in so doing failed to keep the strike for McGrath's next over. It would prove to be a costly mistake as Jones held out to non other than Warne at first slip, a fitting end to his final Test at Lord's. Australia had won by 239 runs, comfortable in the end. Australia 1-0 up in the 5 Test series.

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