Ashes 2002/3 | Australia v England 1st Test | Gabba

Australia v England Gabba - Brisbane 1st Test match 7th - 11th Nov 2002 (5-day match)

Result: Australia won by 384 Runs

Umpires : SA Bucknor (WI) and RE Koertzen (SA)

Match Reports : Day 1; Day 2; Day 3; Day 4

Morning Session Report Day 1

On the basis of the first session of the first Test of the series, it is hard to see what England can do to curb the phenomenal scoring of the Australia batsmen. Scoring 125 runs in the morning session at r runs per over, with only the loss of Justin Langer for 32, Australia firmly put their mark on this game.

England bowled well at the start, making most of the swinging conditions, however it wasn't too long before both Hayden and Langer stepped up the pace after a circumspect start. Caddick looked out of sorts and was very expensive in his first spell conceding 30 runs off six overs. Hoggard did look the more threatening of the two pace bowlers.

Jones was introduced in the 14th over and with his second ball, had Langer caught behind by Stewart, who, diving across first slip took a low catch to send the diminutive Australia back to the dressing room after a solid partnership of 67.

Ponting the next man in, wasted no time in attacking the bowling, often taking advancing steps down the wicket to Jones, by far the quickest of the bowlers.

Hayden brought up the 100 for Australia with a thumping shot back down the ground, his sixth boundary of the innings and he moved on to 46. Slight controversy reigned in the 20th Over when Jones caught Hayden at deep third-man, but unfortunately for the England team, he was unable to control his body before crossing the ropes. Nasser Hussain argued with both umpires but the decision had been made.

With one over from Craig White costing nine runs, Australia at lunch are sitting comfortably on 1/125 - Hayden and Ponting 61 and 24 not out.

Mid Afternoon Session Report Day 1

If they weren't before, the certainly are now ! England's Nasser Hussain must be wondering why on earth he chose to bowl on the wonderful Gabba pitch. There is very little movement off the pitch or through the air and England bowlers are struggling.

Twenty minutes into the mid session, Simon Jones who while chasing down a shot from Ponting, fell awkwardly and jarred his knee in the soft ground. After a five minute break, he was stretchered off the ground and Robert Key came on to replace him.

It was all Australia in the afternoon session, scoring 108 runs at an average of 3.60. Hayden looks in ominous form and Ponting has played himself into the game with a fine , if not steady knock. At tea, Hayden is 110 not out, his highest score against England, his first century against the old enemy and his 10th in Test cricket. His century came from another full toss from Ashley Giles.

After a steady start, Ricky Ponting started to increase the tempo and reached his half century with two consecutive sixes past the bowler.

Only time will tell if England can salvage anything from this first day.

Evening Session Report Day 1

For the third session in a row, Australia dominated with the bat, but they were helped along the way by some poor fielding.Ponting and Hayden continued to punish the bowling, now short of a bowler after Simon Jones being carried off shortly after lunch. He will now be out of action a minimum of six months after tests in the local hospital revealed cruciate ligament damage.

Ponting and Hayden scored at will it seemed and it was inevitable that they would take the partnership past 200. Hayden should have lost his wicket three times and would have but for some terrible catching. Hoggard was the first culprit dropping him on 102, Vaughan missed a sitter on 138 and Key got his fingertips to a valiant effort when the Australian was on 149.

With the score on 339, Ponting was bowled by Giles, around his legs after the ball deflected crually under his pads. It ended a partnership worth 272 runs, a 2nd wicket record partnership between Australia and England in Australia.

So, at the end of the first day, Australia are well in comand at 2/364, Nasser Hussain has made a big mistake here today asking Australia to bat on a true, easy paced wicket. The terrible news from the Gabba once again - Simon Jones out of action for 6 months after damaging his cruciate ligament.

Images courtesy of the BBC

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