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Australia tumbles to new low
Source: Agencies |
December 27, 2010, Monday
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ENGLAND took an iron grip on the Ashes by bowling out Australia for a record low score of 98 and then scoring 157 without loss in yesterday's opening day of the fourth test.
England can secure a successful Ashes defense by winning the Melbourne, and it would take an extraordinary turn of events to prevent the tourists doing that after a dominant first day.
Sent in by England captain Andrew Strauss, Australia was bundled out for its lowest ever score against England at the MCG.
All 10 wickets fell to catches behind the wicket as the hosts failed to show the disciplined batting required on a seaming pitch. England's opening pair put on a commanding performance, with Alastair Cook on 80 and Strauss on 64 at stumps. They showed the judiciousness and discipline that Australia's batsmen so glaringly lacked.
Australia's score reached all kinds of lows: its lowest ever against England at the MCG (with the previous worst of 104 dating back to the first ever test, played in 1877); its lowest ever first innings at the MCG; the second time Australia had been bowled out for less than 100 in this calendar year; its lowest score on Australian soil since 1984; its lowest at the MCG since 1981; its lowest against England since 1968; and lowest against England in Australia since 1936.
On one of the most disheartening days in Australian cricket history, even the MCG's attempt to break the all-time test attendance record was not met. Pre-game predictions of the requisite 91,000 proved overoptimistic with only 84,345 fans taking their post-Christmas hangovers to the ground. The MCC said they will "review the method of allocating tickets for major events" after 6,000 seats in the MCC members area were empty. By the end of play, the ground was considerably emptier, and organizers will be lucky if it is half full for the remaining days of a game already drifting toward a foregone conclusion.
Strauss had no hesitation in sending Australia in on a gray morning, and with the MCG pitch notoriously difficult to bat upon in the opening session of a test.
Australia's tentative batting display, the consistently good line and length of the England bowlers, and then the reverse of both in England's innings meant the tourists led on first innings just 72.2 overs into the first day. It took England less than two rain-shortened sessions to bowl Australia out in 42.5 overs, with six catches taken by wicketkeeper Matt Prior, two in the slips and two at gully, illustrating the ill-discipline of Australia's batsmen, who were constantly tempted to play at balls they should have left alone.
James Anderson and Chris Tremlett ended with four wickets each, with both bowling very few bad deliveries and allowing Strauss to set an attacking field on this helpful surface.
England can secure a successful Ashes defense by winning the Melbourne, and it would take an extraordinary turn of events to prevent the tourists doing that after a dominant first day.
Sent in by England captain Andrew Strauss, Australia was bundled out for its lowest ever score against England at the MCG.
All 10 wickets fell to catches behind the wicket as the hosts failed to show the disciplined batting required on a seaming pitch. England's opening pair put on a commanding performance, with Alastair Cook on 80 and Strauss on 64 at stumps. They showed the judiciousness and discipline that Australia's batsmen so glaringly lacked.
Australia's score reached all kinds of lows: its lowest ever against England at the MCG (with the previous worst of 104 dating back to the first ever test, played in 1877); its lowest ever first innings at the MCG; the second time Australia had been bowled out for less than 100 in this calendar year; its lowest score on Australian soil since 1984; its lowest at the MCG since 1981; its lowest against England since 1968; and lowest against England in Australia since 1936.
On one of the most disheartening days in Australian cricket history, even the MCG's attempt to break the all-time test attendance record was not met. Pre-game predictions of the requisite 91,000 proved overoptimistic with only 84,345 fans taking their post-Christmas hangovers to the ground. The MCC said they will "review the method of allocating tickets for major events" after 6,000 seats in the MCC members area were empty. By the end of play, the ground was considerably emptier, and organizers will be lucky if it is half full for the remaining days of a game already drifting toward a foregone conclusion.
Strauss had no hesitation in sending Australia in on a gray morning, and with the MCG pitch notoriously difficult to bat upon in the opening session of a test.
Australia's tentative batting display, the consistently good line and length of the England bowlers, and then the reverse of both in England's innings meant the tourists led on first innings just 72.2 overs into the first day. It took England less than two rain-shortened sessions to bowl Australia out in 42.5 overs, with six catches taken by wicketkeeper Matt Prior, two in the slips and two at gully, illustrating the ill-discipline of Australia's batsmen, who were constantly tempted to play at balls they should have left alone.
James Anderson and Chris Tremlett ended with four wickets each, with both bowling very few bad deliveries and allowing Strauss to set an attacking field on this helpful surface.
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