Harmison's wayward bowling set the tone
Well after all the build up, the first day of the Ashes is over and while Australia will have enjoyed their day at the Gabba, it was a very different story for England.
Key Moment
No doubt about it: the first delivery of the day which Steve Harmison propelled straight to a startled Andrew Flintoff at second slip.
It was a ghastly moment, betraying a desperate lack of confidence and form. From that moment, England were always trying to claw their way back into the psychological battle.
I felt at Adelaide last week that Harmison should have played in the game there, whether he had a twinge or not. If he had broken down, so be it, but he had to bowl to find some form.
He simply can’t expect to waltz into a Test match. Flintoff did not turn to him from 2.10pm and did not trust him with the second new ball....
TALKING POINT
The selection of Giles over Panesar certainly divided England cricket fans.
My views are already well known so I won’t air them again here, but it is interesting to note that some Australian pundits viewed the choice of steady seamer Stuart Clark rather than the raw but pacey Mitchell Johnson as being defensive.
Perhaps both teams are being cagey at the start of the long campaign.
PLAYER OF THE DAY
Being the captain, Ricky Ponting is the man with the most to prove after Australia’s defeat last year, and today he was a man on a mission.
Determination was stamped all over his face the moment he strode to the middle, and this was a seriously classy knock.
England did not bowl very well at him - he was fed far too many straight balls which he was able to clip through midwicket, and he enjoyed the pull stroke too often.
But he is clearly set on scoring a really big match-winning innings in some way to atone for what took place in England.
PROSPECTS FOR DAY TWO
At present, they look bleak - unless Harmison can somehow rediscover his form and confidence overnight.
He is the cutting edge of England’s attack, but seriously needs to prove his worth now.
I would love to know what Flintoff will be saying to him.
After all, part of the reason for him being given the captaincy was the belief that Freddie could coax the best out of his friend.
Now is the time to prove it because another day like the first, and England will already be hard pressed to save the match.
How would Trueman and Statham bowled on this pitch? They would not have given anything away for sure. Harmisson is an enigma. He has shown absolutely no form at all over the last 12 months and on occasions his bowling has been little short of embarrassing. How long will it be before the selectors realise they need to pick players in form rather than on past (somewhat erratic) performances.
Complain about this postThe Giles decision was negative and immediately sent the wrong message out to the Aussies. Panesar would have been a risk, but a confident, positive and agressive risk - when he does play there will now be even more pressure on him.
Complain about this postThis England team of recent years has thrived on consistency of selection, but the selection of Giles and Jones shows a lack of consistency and we are suffering for it. Read and Panesar did nothing to get dropped in their last test match outing, in fact they both helped win a game (I'm not counting the Oval match here)
All is not lost, but the first day could not have gone much worse; at least Freddie stepped up to the mark, he led from the front its a pity none of the other bowlers could follow his lead.
The show aint over, till the fat lady sings!
Complain about this postLet’s get behind our guys rather than ripping them to pieces. How quickly the cynics come out of the woodwork when things don't go to plan on day 1! C'mon England we know you can do it!!!
Selection of Giles smacked of being defensive, preperation time a joke again and showing, when will teams learn that just one 3 day game is not enough time, these guys are being paid a lot of money, they have to accept being away from home and prepare properly that means playing more cricket. We are not going to take 20 wickets with this attack (as good as Flintoff is), Monty at least looks like taking wickets, Giles I'm afraid does not. Oh well looks like a long hard winter (again)
Complain about this postIf England had won the toss and batted first, we might well have been gloating over a similar scorecard - an unbeaten hundred by Bell, say, and a fifty-odd not-out knock from someone else. As it is, Australia are dominant, but let's not forget that England haven't batted yet. (If they make a mess of that too though, then the writing really will be on the wall.)
Complain about this postWho has never bowled a wide first ball?
Complain about this postWe are paying the price for putting our bowlers in cotton wool. Bowling is about rhythm and being comfortable with your action. You can't do that on net bowling alone. Any chance of brining Stuart Broad in to the squad.
I called for Monty yesterday so well done to Giles. Still think Monty would have done at least as well (and the pitch does turn as Pietersen showed) but pleased for Giles - he always gives his best.
Complain about this postWHY IS EVERYBODY SURPRISED THAT WE CANNOT COMPETE.COUNTY CRICKET IS A JOKE FOR YEAR ON YEAR FAILURES.A DRINKING CLUB FOR A LITTLE THAN BETTER VILLAGE CRICKETERS.
IF YOU CANT BOWL AT 96 M.P.H THEN YOU HAD BETTER BE VERY ACCURATE, WE DONT HAVE EITHER.
Complain about this postK,P IS SOUTH AFRICAN, SO LETS SCOUR THE WORLD FOR DECENT PLAYERS WHO ARE WILLING TO LIVE IN FIRST CLASS HOTELS USING FIRST CLASS AIR TRAVEL, WITH THEIR FAMILIES TRAVELLING WITH THEM FOR FREE, AND REMIND OUR COUNTY FAILURES THAT LIFE IS VERY HARD, AND IF YOU DONT LIKE IT THEN GO AND TRY DIGGING THE ROADS 50 WEEKS A YEAR.
aus-eng 1-0
Complain about this postI think a lot of people are forgetting that this is day one of five and there is still time for england to recover.
True it wasnt the best start for england. With the quality in the team and fitness rising in the team there is room for optimism, particularly with flintoff who seems determined to overcome his injury worries and display the form we saw in the last ashes series.
This is turn should have the effect we saw in the last ashes series of flintoff galvanizing the rest of the team including importantly Harmison. As for Giles it seems that he could create more problems for Martyn as he did in the last series, which led to the aussie nearly losing his international career.
And dont forget we still have to bat against the dads army of international attacks
Complain about this postDropping Panesar showed that England are already in defensive mode. Better to lose than try to just go for a draw. Shame !
Complain about this postDropping Monty was almost as stupid a decision as not taking Gower to india all those years ago. We were 'warned' that the pitch would turn and at the worst offer excessive bounce to the spinners. Warne wasn't trying to bluff the English selectors. He was just hoping for a contest as close and tough as possible. But we have Australia 346 for 3 on a batting strip offering little/no sideways movement. Our fastest and most dangerous bowler's confidence shatterred by his best friend. (I agree completely with Boycott but once picked and after two edges and a yorker that almost got Langer in those two overs he had to be pumped up not turned into a spare part) To make it worse Pietersen is getting the ball to bounce and turn sharply and he is no shane Warne and nor is Monty. But, he is a much much better spinner than Giles or Pietersen and our best hope in this Game is on the bench. So is Fletcher as daft as Gooch? Hopefully not and Fletcher will get Monty right back in the side for the next game and remember that we won last time by being positive.
Complain about this postGooch cost England Gower's best years.
Yes Jon, it was a pretty desperate start and the contrast with 2005 could not be bleaker. However, this series is going to be an endurance race. The 2005 series showed that a fast start was no guarantee of a good finish. I got the impression though that the Australians had what luck was going: a large fraction of the first 40 runs were false shots that flashed past fielders when they could easily have ended up being pouched in the slips or the gulley. If it had been England's day Australia might have been 40-2 after an hour rather than 50-0.
The biggest surprise is that the spinners look like playing a far larger part in the match than anyone imagined. Giles and Pietersen have already bowled 24 overs, although that is partly because the pace men were ineffective. The fourth and fifth days may turn out to be a trial by Warne: lose it and we're in trouble; win it and things may yet change radically in this series.
Complain about this postHarmison is supposed to be the spearhead of Englands attack, that is what won us the Ashes in 2005, with Freddy and Jones backing up the front 2.
Complain about this postHarmisons attitude is frankly a disgrace. He doesnt like touring and ive heard him complain that fans do not see the ins and outs of being away for months at a time, 'living out of a suitcase' being one of his favourites.
Touring the world for 10ish years of your life, being paid enough to make you and your family secure for ever more, and playing cricket for a living is damn hard work isnt it! He should try doing a normal job that doesnt offer a fraction of the rewards he enjoys. He is completely negative and it shows in his cricket, he will be the single biggest reason we fail to keep the Ashes and I am ashamed for him.
I spilt my breakfast this morning listening to Giles say that he has had to remodel his action and that he is working on it all the time.
Excuse me!!! The first test of the Ashes and this is where is tries out his new action. Quite unbelievable and if I were Panesar Id be gutted. The guy bowls unplayable deliveries, just ask Younis Khan. For England to prefer a non-spinning no.8 ahead of a potential match-winner tells us everything we need to know about confidence the management have in the top 7 and combined with the appalling one-day results this could prove to be Fletchers last series in charge.
Complain about this postPretty much spot on Aggers. Harmison's abysmal opening spell cost us the initiative and even though Flintoff bowled admirably, there was no-one to back him up and keep the pressure on the Aussies from the other end.
Complain about this postOur bowlers will do very well to limit Australia to less than 500 and, already, the prospects for this match look bleak.
It's going to take a monumental batting effort from our boys to save this game.
Is anyone surprised at Harmison's performance (or lack of it ) today. He has done nothing this year to warrant his place ,has not played enough cricket and has too much influence over the management. Strauss should have been captain to give Freddie some freedom from responsibility and the bowler they are really going to miss is of course Simon Jones.
Complain about this postI fear the worst!
Personally i cant see us winnin this 1st test now, we have got alot of hard work to do,
Complain about this postHi interesting column ... my thoughts regarding the issue giles or panasar in my mind there was never a doughty as to who we should have gone for .. u say that this is a fast bowlers track but going back to the summer when panasar played at headingly no1 gave him a hope and he bowled marvellously to guys who are surpassed to be 1 of the best countries at playing spin..
Complain about this postwe all now what he can do and he should have played no questions asked...
we all know what harmison is capable off we can only hope he will come good in the morning even throw its not looking gd
It was interesting to see Pieterson getting turn when he had a bowl. Ponting was saying how Warney was licking his lips. If we continue to struggle taking wickets could they rue the exclusion of our best spinner Monty.
Its probably to early to pass judgement in regards to selection after a day as there is still time to turn things round but this makes the early part of day two very important. We need wickets or we really are running the risk of a complete demoralising defeat which will put the Aussies tails right up for the 2nd test!!
Complain about this post...and we all thought Jones would be the achilles heel! Spot on about harmy though Aggers, shouldve bowled him at adelaide. nice to see Gilo back among the wickets though.
Complain about this postI always stay up to hear the first delivery of the first ashes test. Over the past few years I have trudged up the wooden hill to bedfordshire with a heavy heart. Last night with the glass well and truely half full i tuned in only to hear the incredulity in Aggers' voice as the first delivery went to 2nd slip and the next down the legside. At that moment the glass was drained to empty and I went to bed.
Why no Monty? He is the heartbeat of the team, maybe he should have been there in place of Harmison. If i was Freddy I think I would get Harmy pickled tonight and then make him bowl with a stinking hangover. Kill or Cure!
For info I am not the test player.
Complain about this postIt says a lot when your lead bowler only bowls 12 overs on the first day of the Ashes! England will need to rally around him and try and rebuild his obvious lack of confidence.
My only worry is that knowing his confidence is fragile it'll be the one thing the Aussies will target tomorrow. How often do we say McGrath or Warne are low on confidence even when bowling bad? You always have the view they themselves can turn it around, with Harmison I'm not too sure.
Worried already!
Complain about this postI wonder if this might reach Jonathan Agnew.
I am an ECB Level 2 coach - I am very serious - I can see as plainly as the nose on my face what is wrong with Steve Harmison's action and how it can be fixed so quickly and easily. Give me one morning with him and the job would be done.
How do I get this message to Duncan Fletcher ?
I would so much like to help. I am very serious.
Kindest regards,
James Bowyer.
Complain about this postHarmison is certainly an enigma - the distance between his best and his worst is so vast. Can anyone think of any others players who have had similar difficulties in their careers? And how were they resolved?
P.S. I have to thank Jonathan for the most exciting opening to a series I've ever heard - when he said on TMS something along the lines "the ball has flown straight to second slip", I was, for about half a second, ecstatic. It was only when Aggers added that this was a "really dreadful start" that it occurred to me that no Australian bat was involved in the process - and the ball had flown straight to Flintoff from the bowler's hand!
Complain about this postEngland will have to hope our batters perform closer to their full potential than our bowlers.
All is not lost in this game, but we'll have to respond to the mammoth total Oz will post late tomorrow (600+ is not out of the question) with an innings of 500+ lasting five sessions - if we can do this, and it's quite a big if given how much Warne likes the 'Gabba, the draw is in the bag...
Complain about this postIt looks like your comments JA about why Giles should be in the team might actually turn out for the best, HOWEVER, it would be for all the wrong reasons (e.g. Eng hanging on for a defeat).
Pieterson turned the ball on day 1.....
Warne is going to be a nightmare on days 3 / 4 / 5
Complain about this postAs a club cricketer who bowls every Saturday afternoon and understands the values of line and length, hitting the right areas and building pressure I am this morning perplexed and hugely disappointed. I watched the morning session and jokingly said to some friends who had gathered to watch the action "just imagine if Harmison bowls 4 wides with the first ball" we all chuckled but then cried in horror as that first delivery went straight to Flintoff. Just imagine if it had damaged the skipper on the hand somehow !
Complain about this postI thought Harmison today was so lacking in confidence, which for me merited Mahmood a place in the side at Harmisons expense.
I still feel Harmison is our best bowler but for some reason he seems to be lacking belief in himself. I feel he is a confidence player.
As for the Panesar/ Giles argument. for me Panesar is to play everytime. Panesar is the only geniune spinner of the ball in our side and in my opinion at the end of the day we could have been 3 hundred odd for 5/6 intead of 3, which would have been a much healthier position.
Flintoff by the way was superb and Hoggard very unlucky!!!
Complain about this postPoor old Harmey spending most of the day chasing round the boundary with a face like a smacked bottom! Never mind at least he is getting paid for serving up pies, although I do prefer Bowyers.
You have to feel sorry for Freddie, only one of the few with a big heart but he will probably be up all night counselling Harmey, who should have hitched a lift with Tresco!
It gets worse though - Plunkett playing in Perth - time even for Lee to hit a double hundred then!
Take nothing away - the toss was important and we should have contained better. Fair play to Ponting he played quite magnificantly. Tomorrow's another day.
Complain about this postHarmison is not worth his place inthe team and has not been for some time, his match winning performance was a sheer fluke. His completely unassertive presence undermines the whole team. What was he thinking of when he apologised for hitting ponting on the head during the first test in England? Did he assume that Ponting would feel equally apologetic and not thrash him for as many boundaries as aconsequence?
There is not one rhuthless bone in his body and he should be dropped henceforth and replaced with someone who at least looks as though they enjoy being paid a vast amount of money and ferried around the globe in the lap of luxury such as Sajid Mamood or Stuart Broad. It absolutely grates with those of us who have to work genuinely hard for a living that somebody such as Harmison are given the moon on a stick and then metaphorically stick two fingers up at us.
You're an embarassement Stephen, I suggest you pulll your socks up and make some attempt at being a professional. If not pack your bags and go home al la Trescothick.
Complain about this postI believe initially it was going to be all about our batting, lets hope we can perform.
Complain about this postHarmison has been poor for some time now and to be honest his first ball was predictable.
He has barely landed anything on the wicket for the last few series and looks to have completely lost it.
Sadly it seems that the Harmison who destroyed the Windies was the exception rather than the rule.
Sadly the lack of cricket he has had on this tour and in general has backfired. Perhaps the selectors need to realise that cricketers need to play and not be wrapped in cotton woll incase they breakdown.
Complain about this postIt's not been the best of first days for us has it and i agree the tone was set from the moment that first ball went miles wide. Maybe it wasn't the smartest of decisions to be giving Harmison the first ball, after all he is renowned for bowling abit erratic especially whilst not in the best of form.
There were a couple of positives to take from the day. The return to test match cricket of Freddie went smoothly as did the return of Giles. Were also not in as bad a posistion as we were at the end of the first day at the Gabba 4 years ago. Ha ha.
I still believe we can earn a result in this game though. This England side fights till the end and are well capable of matching anything Australia put on the board.
Keep the faith.
Complain about this postI said all along we should have gone with Monty, and sfter the spin Pietersen and Warney asking about it shows I was right. Whats the point having a bowler who can get runs if the opponents have put 600 on the board?
Complain about this postBy the way the team is picked, if you a pale of Fletcher, then your picked for life. I can not belive the giles was selected, how can you select a player for a test match that has not played cricket for a year.....
The Same for G Jones, how on earth can he be picked when Chris Read did nothing wrong, these 2 player better score big runs, otherwise Fletchers time as coach as gone, he has shown that he will pick he fav's regardless of form.
I also can not beleive that Vaughen will be selected without playing first class cricket, by that i do not include playing for the Acadamey.
Complain about this postThe England bowling is now somewhat irrelevant after day 1. The key thing now is the batting. Can our batsmen bat for 3 days with the sole objective of not getting out? The best the bowlers can do on day 2 is to bowl economically to defensive fields and delay the Aussie declaration for as long as possible so as to minimise the amount of batting time to be faced. A draw from where we are today would be as good as a victory ....
Complain about this postIts Day 1 out of 25...Australia were always going to come out firing...Ponting led the way....Langer showed form but the bunnies of hayden and martyn will worry the Aussies as well...hussey just showed why he should have played last Summer in the Ashes....
Day 2 will be interesting but its a long war and the first battle went to Australia...But remember, we got thrashed at Lords and won the series.....lets hope we knock them over quickly tomorrow and knock up a big score....
Complain about this postAbout the only good bit of the day was the Barmy Army singing to the Aussies "God save YOUR gracious Queen"!
Selection of Giles not Panesar was IMHO a sign of lack of courage. It looks like this pitch will take spin!
We are in for a long match.
Complain about this postWe must resist an attack of the Corporal Jones's and keep a steady nerve on what was day 1 of a long campaign.
However I fimly believe that we won the Ashes because our bowlers bested their batsmen. Only Freddie looked the part today. Having two or three or preferably four match winning bowlers still remains the key to beating the Aussies again. If we're still in it come Sydney ... then it's cue Monty!
Complain about this postStep back in picking Giles, hasn't bowled in a test match for ages, but strolls back in the team.
Complain about this postcan we get 20 wickets with this lineup??
but do we have a longer batting lineup?? great!
Heard about the Aussies splitting up our fans aswell - pathetic!
Why do England take sick people on their tours? There is something wrong with Harmison - you don't just bowl at the slips. His averages since the 2005 Ashes tour are nothing to shout home about either.
Complain about this postDon't we have other fast bowlers that can be given a chance to get into the team - cricketers that are in good shape?
Let's hope someone gives Harmi a kick up the backside!
Norman
OK, the reason for dropping Panesar is that he gives more depth at No. 8? Are you kidding me? If you are replying on your number 8 batsman to dig you out of a whole, somethings wrong somewhere... And as far as Giles being better at hanging around with Flintoff or any other specialist batsman is concerned, I think Hoggy & Harmy have shown, even they can if necessary. Not to mention, hasn't Monty been at the other end helping two batsmen to their 100?
Complain about this postAshes - GONE!
Complain about this postI fear for the England players; they are going to ripped to shreads in this series. Australia are far too strong in all departments; physically and mentally.
I really hope I'm proved wrong but the signs don't look good.
England will struggle to make 150.
Complain about this postI think that the loss of triscothic was major. we might have stood a chance with him and strous opening chacing the Austrailian massive total
Complain about this postIt was an awfully deflating day's play for England. Whilst I'm not the most knowledgable of cricket watchers, I thought at times Flintoff got his choice of bowlers at key stages wrong.
In the morning session when he was about to introduce himself into the attack, he withdraws Hoggard and keeps Anderson in. It looked like a bad decision to me, as Hoggard was really getting into his stride, and looked like the more dangerous bowler.
I feel that Hoggard and Flintoff in attack early morning could have at least given England an extra wicket before lunch.
Complain about this postLets be positive. It is obviously a good batting track and if England had won the toss we might well be in the same position as the Aussies. Its not over yet.
Complain about this postWell said, Aggers. I agree completely. I am very worried about Harmison. If he breaks down now, given the pitch in Brisbane, the England bowling line-up will be well inadequate. I dread to find out what is going to happen tonight when I shall be listening in to Sports Five Live Extra. Harmison needs to get his act together and quick! If he cannot bowl consistently in a straight line, he shouldn't be playing for England!
England will be going to sleep thinking about the amount of pressure they are under. I will be glad if they could scrap a draw here. Maybe then they will wake up and get themselves all fired up for the next Test. A cornered beast will fight to the finish, so show us what you've got, England!
Complain about this postWhen Harmison starts to look at the bowling action of the GREAT Test Bowlers he will improve. It is to me quite obvious that is front on bowling action will never give him accuracy and he will never become great.
It may be too late for any change in his action but he should ask himself why he is so erratic.
He is nice guy but but being nice will never beat the Aussies !
Complain about this postOh well,
The king of spain might as well be in spain, the wicket was prepared for spin but our best spinner is KP! We can only hope it doesn't dent monty's confidence for the next test.
As for if we had batted i think we would have been lucky to bat out the day, i doubt McGrath's 1st ball would be wide, more likely a wicket. On last nights performance i really can't see where 10 wickets will come from let alone 20.
Complain about this postThe waiting is over, the war of words has ended and the real action has begun.
With the look of a nervous schoolboy Steve Harmison takes the new ball and runs in to bowl to Justin Langer on a beautiful bright day in Brisbane. With an expression of intense concentration Harmison's run up is measured, even nervy as he strides toward the popping crease. Time slows and in anticipation of the battle to come everyone watching takes a sharp intake of breath. In a whirl of limbs Harmison moves into his delivery stride, his long right arm coming over the top as his action and momentum take hold. Langer's eyes narrow and his body tenses in preparation for the moment of release. Harmison's hand reaches the point of no return but his wrist isn't behind the ball. Instinctively Langer shuffles back and across as the ball comes out but within a fraction of a second his body relaxes as the ball spears out of control down the pitch toward second slip. Flintoff takes the ball at slip and Langer bounces on the balls of his feet to remove any remaining tension in his body. Harmison is broken.
The Ashes Lost.
Complain about this postI would like to ask the question why on tour, only the Team Manager and Captain pick the team.
Complain about this postIn my opinion all the selectors should pick the England team wether on tour or not.
Personal preference should not come into it, a player should be picked on his merits and not because he is likable.
Ghastly is the best way to describe the whole day let alone the first ball of the Brisbane Test. It was somewhat predictable that the steady Giles would replace the potential match winner Panesar. In hindsight it's a shame that there was no room for both left arm spinners. Jimmy Anderson despite his talents as a nippy swing bowler looked like he was getting used to a new action and a shorter run up. Perhaps a bit too early for the new Anderson model to come into a crucial test match. The plus points were the bowling of Flintoff and the contravesrsially selected Giles. Also the ground fielding was excellent on the whole bar one error from Matthew Hoggard. The signs are there for another long day for England tomorrow. Ponting looks set for a big hundred and Michael Hussey looks as comfotable as an Ashes veteran. He clearly has the technique and the mindset for a big Ashes. Can the England boys bounce back as they did whenever they faced adversity in 2005? Let's see.
Complain about this postHave England got their selection policy all wrong and setting off in the wrong mind set ?
I mean, can Jones score enough runs to jusify his keeping mistakes. Firstly he needs to learn how to bat with the tail and not throw his wicket away with big shots as soon as number 8 or 9 comes in.
As for Giles, apart from the fact that he hasn't played for a year, his bowling has always been subject to question marks throughout his international career and as for his batting, he's been out for single figure score far more time than he's made 20's and 30's. So I can't see the sense in picking him.
I am beginning to agree with those who are calling for a change of management. The England team is starting to be picked because their mates as apposed to ability and form.
Complain about this postIn the last series against Pakistan, the 2 main wicket taking bowlers were Harmy and Monty. One is off form and the other has not been selected for the game. I don't know what Duncan Fletcher was thinking during selection. The Aussies will probably win this game by the 4th day.
Complain about this postI'd like to know why they bothered going home after India. They should have been on the plane to Australia from India to get in some some much needed practice. They were half way there for God's sake. Their performance demonstrates not just a lack of confidence, but also a serious lack of match practice.
Complain about this postIt was a wonderful day of cricket. Debate over Giles' selection ought be laid to rest given his performance; he kept it tight and picked up a vital wicket. More than what can be said for Harmison; he was clearly lacking in confidence in front of a huge Gabba crowd. The first ball to second slip didn't help.
Complain about this postHowever, bear in mind that the Gabba is usually a batsman's paradise. All might change when England go into bat.
People can read too much into a first day, a first session. Commentators speak of the importance of Lords day 1 when Harmy was on fire. Sure he bowled well but we lost the game! If England don't lose this match (I can't see them winning it from here!) then the quality of the team may well come through later in the series. England are a very good team, lets not forget that.
Up the Wick!
Complain about this postIts not an unrecoverable situation for England, but if England get down on themselves then it will be. They need to try and respond positively, and Harmison in particular must step up with a far improved performance. If he doesn't want to be there, then he might as well leave and let someone who does want to be come in.
Time to stop worrying about who is or isn't in the team, and to get their heads down and work damned hard to make sure they don't give the Australians an easy first win.
Complain about this postThis is a typical response from our media and our fans. One bad day and the knives are out. We didn't play well and they are the best batting line up of my lifetime batting on a helpful pitch.
We know Hamison is a confidence player and so do the aussies and that's why they targetted him. What we don't need is everyone getting on his back.
I remember after the last first test defeat everybody, especially "wise after the event boycott" was clamouring for change. Fletcher was criticised then for everything. He stuck to his guns showed loyality and we were all rewarded.
I believe, as i did before today, that the aussies will win no matter what we do, we simply can't field an 11 that they can. Also they have been hurting for 15 months and they have picked Hussey, who is a legend. I hope we play well and compete with the best in the world - on their ground and make a fight of each test if not the series.
we won't do that if the fans and the media can't back the side and fletcher. people soon forget the bad days of English cricket.
Complain about this postharmison has not bowled well for over a year(apart from one game on a dody wicket)
Complain about this postthe press has constantly built him up to being our "matchwinner"
if you actually look at the figures it is very rare that he has won england any game
If he was just a county player with those figures he would not have been picked in the first place
He is allowed to pick and choose his matches and yet given his contract
I watched the first hour, with Harmison struggling and Hoggard and Anderson not swinging it, and I wondered if Panesar had been out there if Flintoff would have given him an early bowl. He is that sort of bowler. You can use him with an attacking mindset rather than waiting until the first stage of the innings has past and then turning to a spinner.
Yesterday summed up England's real problem, which is with bowling, not batting. The talk of Jones and Giles coming in to shore up the batting, and the jetissoning of Read and Panesar ... the debate should have been about how we can put out a bowling attack capable of bowling Australia out, especially on a peach of a batting track.
OK, Giles has done ok, but the debate was all wrong. Our batting down to seven is quite strong. Our bowling from eight down is scarily short of fitness, form and confidence.
Complain about this postAnd what if CLOSE DAY 2.
Complain about this postAust 450 all out. Eng 200 for 2.
All square!
Let's not beat about the bush. England were very poor, particularly Harmison. I have the feeling that England have already made some crucial mistakes - making Freddie captain when the load is already clearly too much for one person. They also picked Giles which shows a defensive mindset which they didn't have in 2005. They attacked the Aussies and won. They must surely do it again, particularly in their own back yard.
Finally, another display like that from Harmison and he must be dropped. Mahmood won't be any worse at least and at least he would be trying his utmost. Harmison gives the impresssion of not really caring at the moment or of someone with other things on his mind.
Complain about this postI think everyone is being a bit harsh on a first day of cricket! Oz won the toss and batted on a peach! Id expect them to get 300 for 3 or 4. We'd expect that if england batted! 300 for 1 if we put them in would be cause for all the doom and gloom written. There are still 24 days of test cricket to go in this series, lets not write harmy et al off, lets support them and look forward to batting. As the series wears on, so the oz team will start to 'wear'..
Complain about this postEngland are paying the price of leaving out their best spinner
Complain about this postI was at the Adelaide oval last weekend too. The England bowling displayed very little to promise Ashes success....But, Pieterson, Bell and Flintoff.....especially Pieterson, looked extremely confident as they occupied the crease in the Adelaide heat. The Barmy army also made a mockery of a feable Green and Gold army. The ashes is not over yet!
Complain about this postNo disrespect to Giles but with the batting line up that we have why do we need to worry if he is a better batter than Monty - IF the latter is considered to be a more likely match winning bowler ? The first test should be about winning - NOT - not losing.
Complain about this postReading these comments depresses me. Good job we're not overreacting to one bad day!
1. It's a good track, and we should score lots of runs too
2. You can't just pick 'form players' - the team changes for every game, and morale suffers. That's what we used to do in the 80s and 90s, and Fletcher has been great at identifying talent and sticking with it
3. Harmison is class, even if inconsistent. Stick with him - just one test where he frightens the crap out of them will be worth it. In 30 years, he's the fastest, nastiest England bowler I've seen
4. Flatcher has been absolutely outstanding for England, whatever the result of this series. The team has come a million miles in 7 years.
Complain about this postharmison has not bowled well for over a year(apart from one game on a dody wicket)
Complain about this postthe press has constantly built him up to being our "matchwinner"
if you actually look at the figures it is very rare that he has won england any game
If he was just a county player with those figures he would not have been picked in the first place
He is allowed to pick and choose his matches and yet given his contract
I cannot understand how Harmison can be brought to the first test match in his current state. Isn't that what coaching is all about? Surely it was obvious during the summer that something was wrong with Harmison's action so why weren't remedial steps taken to make him the bowler we know he can be? If he's not worth his place in the team, and from today's showing it's obvious that Flintoff doesn't think so, then why pick him in the first place? regarding the comments on needing not to lose the first test match, why didn't we simply pick nine batsmen Jones and Giles and ask Australia to bowl them out twice? With Flintoff, Collingwood, Bell, Pietersen and Giles, England would have a half decent attack anyway.
Complain about this postLast year saw Australia lose the Ashes for the first time in 20 yrs. The whole of Australia (or so it seemed) were in mourning. The local press were in a semi-frenzy mood. Ponting was vilified.
However, who was it who walked out as captain this morning at the Gabba.
Complain about this postWould this have happened with England? no.
Australia trust their men. They know the talent is there and they are prepared to wait. I'm reading the comments from England 'supporters' and think "it's the first day of 6 weeks!".
Yes I am English, yes I am a supporter btw.
I am absolutely amazed with Duncan Fletcher's tactics. What does he hope to achieve by selecting Jones and Giles ahead of the more deserving Read and Panesar ? A recap of last year's Ashes ?
Not going to happen mate !! Your cagey defensive practices are going to lead to a disastrous winter tour for you - enjoy the drubbing.
Complain about this postWhile Australia's selection policy erred on the side of some caution, England's seem befuddling, almost clueless. Dropping, in recent weeks, three physically fit players (Read, Mahmood and Panesar) and re-instating Giles, Jones and Anderson (two of which have had career threatening injuries and haven't played test cricket for a long time), Fletcher may well have created an atmosphere of distrust around the fringe players, who, if things go wrong will then be expected to answer the clarion call when picked.
Complain about this postCommentators on the first day's play referred to England's pace attack as being "underdone" and it would seem a very apt description after the day's play. Many England fans would already be dismayed by the team selection, which echoes the Cricket team's footballing counterparts, and the according farce, and would have been hoping for a performance with a little verve, and dynamism. The captain managed it, but the rest of the bowling line-up fretted and fidgeted, Harmison being the most guilty.
Athough there are many days of cricket left, England must be rueing the loss of the toss here, and many questions must now surely be asked about preparation time, the ceaseless ICB gold-rush, and now the strange world of Duncan Fletcher and his old-chum selection policy.
I seem to remember last summer, England's atrocious batting meant we lost the first test quite easily, and everyone said 'here we go again'. We're rubbish at starting series, the important bit is how we finish it off.
Why not pick Giles? He ended up being our most economical bowler, didn't seem to have that much ring rust, and he doesn't let us down at the big moments. We don't know if Panesar can yet, and with Harmison and Anderson seeming a little short on confidence, we can't afford to take the risk.
Complain about this postJust for the record, Shaun Tait's first ball against England last Friday at the Adelaide oval was a wide and went past the keeper to the boundry too!! It was one of the funiest moments of the day! Harmison didn't quite achieve 5 runs off the first ball!
Complain about this postU lot r so negative!! Lets get behind our players, not slate them. I remember after the lords test in 2005 it was all doom and gloom, and then look wot happened!! com on every1 be positive!
Complain about this postIn Steve Harmison's defence I would say this ...
[A gentle breeze wafts softly by ... Tumbleweed blows slowly along ... ]
Complain about this postyes its a poor start and giles instead of monty was a mistake but lets not forget the australians destroyed us at lords in the last series and we fought back to win!
ponting looks in very good touch but am still confident that we can win the ashes or at least retain them
may have to come from one nil down again though
Complain about this postHarmison has been bowling like a drain for a long time now. On that basis should anyone be suprised at his performance today?
Monty is capable of bowling a match winning spell. It is depressing, and predictable, that Giles was preferred because he is 'the better bat"
Complain about this postSo Glad im not in the lime light for anything with thickle supporters like almost 3/4 of you all.
It is so easy to sit and bash them, it is what us english folk are known for.
The Guy who posted about 450 all out england 200 for 2.
Bet you will still complain and bitch, or will u be singing praises like the thickle bunch you are.
The pitch is clearly geared to the batsmen, if and only if after england has batted and a poor performance is the outcome, then maybe a little negative support is in order. Till then...
Complain about this postI think some of the comments on Harmison have been harsh, but I can understand them. I am a massive Harmison fan and believe you cannot lose your quality overnight. Granted his form has been patchy for 12 months, but I think he has been injured on and off for a lot of this. He's a bowler that needs to bowl a lot to keep his form. He was dreadful yesterday, but to be fair has bowled little. He needs time and I think he will fire soon in the Ashes. He can be the best bowler in the world without a doubt. He needs his confidence back, more bowling, no injuries and some pressure taken off him
Complain about this postThe decision to pick Giles over Panesar was ridiculously defensive. If they were that worried about the abtting, given the favourable conditions for spin then they could have picked Panesar and Giles instead of Harmison. He has looked woefully short of form for ages now. Some tactical errors methinks.
Complain about this postI am a proud Englishman but had predicted a 3-1 defeat or us. After day one, I may check the odds for a 5-0 whitewash as there was so much wrong.
You pick your best keeper as I'd rather have catches held and stumpings made than see us get 10 more runs batting and fluff chances - and Jones will fluff chances!!
You pick your best spinner as spinners bowl teams out - they do not hold an end up and keep it tight. How much did Pieterson turn it - I rest my case.
You also need to get the captain's head around field placing very early on as despite the wayward first few overs - we needed two gull's and not three slips...
We need to restrict to under 500 and be at worst 1 down at close of play or it will be a 4 day loss or worse!
Get that 2005 spirit back boys and FIGHT. that2005
Complain about this postHarmy need lots of support from Freddie and the team, take technical advice/tactics onboard and work at consistent line n length, before injecting the extra pace.
Better to bowl a nagging 80mph initially with natural bounce, than a wayward 90mph.
There again, it is a long tour, Harrmy needs match fitness and plenty of bowling, which the tour will give, and all of the pitches over than Adelaide will give his bowling assistance. Richie Ponting hasn't written Harmy off just yet, with last years facial in the memory box.
Early days yet, keep going Harmy!
Complain about this posti think everyone needs to calm down a bit, its the first day of the opening test for gods sake.
Complain about this posteveryone needs to relax, especially captain freddie flintoff. his rash bowling changes are a sign of panic and tactical inexperience.
perhaps strauss can help him out a bit more in that department?
The decision not to play Panesar (as with the decision not to play Read) cannot be justified on any grounds. Any runs Giles is able to score will not be the difference between losing and drawing/wining a game and in any event would be outweighed by the wickets and/or threat Panesar would have posed to the Australian Batsmen. The faith that Fletcher and Flintoff have in Giles is not a reflection on the batting ability of the bowlers but a statement that they have little confidence in the batsmen to actually make enough runs. No other test playing nation would have omitted Panesar or Read.
Complain about this postFletcher has quite rightly been criticised for these decisions. Flintoff (although we are told he was also a party to the same) has not. There is no good reason for this. Flintoff is an inspiring cricketer. He is not however a captain. He appears devoid of ideas in the field beyond the plan that if things are not going well to bowl himself. Further, he has also shown in is treatment of Read and Panesar that he has no regard for "player management" beyond ensuring that his mates (Giles, Harmison etc) are looked after.
The media and the players have to remember (as Jock Stein always did) that the victories (including the 2005 Ashes) are in the past. These players (including Flintoff) are to be judged on what they do now. They cannot expect any account to be taken of past glories when assessing present performance. It does appear however that media will give them this indulgence and it also appears that Fletcher and Flintoff in their approach to selection are adopting the same approach.
If Harmison was an Aussie, he may possibly have been picked for this tour as a sqad player, based only on flashes of previous excellence, but I can see no way, given what he has shown so far on tour, that he would have been selected for the first test. The guy clearly has a severe lack of confidence, brought on partly by lack of recent meaningful bowling, but in my view mainly mental attitude. His tendency to travel badly is well known, and sadly although he has all the physical attributes, I don't believe he has the mental ones, in which case, drop him until such time as he develops them. He lets England down far more than he wins matches for them, and I repeat, if he was an Aussie there is no way he would be playing in this Test. And as far as Panesar is concerned, if Pietersen can spin it as he did this morning, I am sure Warney will make the point totally adequately that Panesar should have played!
Complain about this postI got quiet excited when the fist ball went in. I was listening to the TMS commentary and for a split second thought Harmy had got a wicket first ball, Langer edging to second slip! Unfortunately the reality was far more down heartening!
I hope someone can talk Harmy round as we are going to need him to improve, otherwise we might struggle to take 20 wickets in the series, not just this test.
Still, from the highlights the wicket does look very good for batting, so a large score will not be the end of the world as long as our openers stand up and be counted like the Aussies.
Complain about this postLets not get too down. This pitch looks very good, and any batsman that gets a start should go on to get big scores.
However, for this game to draw there will be lots of runs due to the rate of current cricket, so unless England can find some rhythm, ( Over night can do wonders for a team) a draw is the best, and probable outcome. KP looks buzzing to bat and I predict he will pull england through this game.
Complain about this postFletcher has made some poor decisions, Key should definately been called up, If Bell hadn't played putting Joyce in at 3 would have been ridiculous, also the wk debacle will cost the team dear, why wasn't foster included in the squad he's a bett wk and batter than both Jones/Read, this would have allowed panasar to play, anderson has not shone in the big occasion, Mahmood should have played instead, I would rather play Key as an extra battter than either anderson or mahmood, at the moment we don't seem to have strength in bat, ball or wk. It's all immaterial if harmison doesn't discover his form, the big difference between the 2 teams is Jones, with him against the ageing australian squad we would have had a matchwinner, the 1st day is little more than a disaster, we have to look at bell and cook to perform without big scores from these two, the ashes could be over by the 3rd test.
Complain about this postI am very unhappy with the view expressed in your earlier column about the choice of Giles - not because I am an Indian - but that you would not want an attacking spinner. Looking at KP's spin, I still hold the view that Monty would have been better (pity you can't come up with a wrist spinner in England;)).
Complain about this postI am still behind the English boys, despite the sleepiness it engenders at office over here. I think that the best we can hope for here is a draw :(.
As somebody else said - bung in the Broad boy :)). Let's see if he swims or sinks! At least, he won't cause as much harm as Harmy? Or is there an old-boys' network on there too, like with Giles?
Absolute belter of a pitch, but bad bowling is bad bowling no matter what you play on. Flintoff could have done no more in his bowling changes, but what about the in-out fields used by Vaughan in the last Ashes? Let them have the single and build the pressure by giving away no boundaries, Langer himself said how much it frustrated him last time. Lets not be too down, if Freddia had won the toss, we would be all smiling and saying how great we are and how bad\old the Aussies are - crazy how a flip of a coin can matter so much!
Complain about this postInteresting comments from Aggers but the team selection was to blame. Playing a very rusty Giles was a mistake. So, I think was handing Harmison the new ball. These are lttle things but add up to a large blot on the team's efforts. They'll need to sharpen their action over the next 4 days of this test. The ECB must also now rethink Fletcher's future as I think he has gone as far as he can with this team.
Complain about this postStrauss
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Collingwood
Flintoff
G.Jones
Mahmood
Hoggard
Harmison
Panesar
... and then we might do well. I was furious when Bumble announced that Giles was playing in place of Panesar. I used to respect Fletcher for his tough decision making, like when he dropped Thorpe for Pietersen last year. No one should be in the team for what they have done in the past, it is what they will achieve in the present that matters. A commentator said last night that Giles is a great friend of Flintoff's and he wanted him in the team!?! Is this what we have come to? Someone who has played virtually no competitive cricket for a year gets the nod over our best bowler of the summer on the basis that captain is more chummy with him. Flintoff should have never been made captain, but I suspect he won't last too long.
Complain about this postHarmison let the whole team down. I hope he realises it.
All that was needed was for him to do the same as flintoff - and he has no need to worry about field placings or concentrate on his batting.
I have sympathy for flintoff.. he came to the party. giles did what giles does. hoggard was always going to be a hit and miss on this tour, but england can't afford to carry 3 such pace bowlers.
Complain about this postThere's been a bit of over reaction to what amounts to nothing more than an average day for England - it can be pulled back.
The aussies are allowed to bat well - they are world class batters - esp Ponting - and on a flat pitch will score runs. We should trust our batters to do the same and get out of the match with a draw.
Our bowling does look a bit undercooked but I would question that if we need Giles to bat 8 (and its true we cant have 4 no 11s in the side - 3 is bad enough) wouldnt it have been an idea to pick Panesar instead of Anderson?..Our best attacking and most consistent bowler for last 12 months on ALL surfaces is surely a safer bet than a young inexperineced guy who hasnt played any cricket for 12 months. This still leave 3 frontline quickies (Harm, Fred & hog) plus collingwood /bell. Then you have Giles & Panesar to exert some control when the ball has gone soft which seemed to be lacking today through lack of form.
I hope the guys do well tomorrow...but there seems to be a bit of muddled thinking to this point.
JC
Complain about this postI personally think that we are sadly witnessing the end of Harmison's career. He has basically been 'out of sorts' all year, and I see no evidence of improvement. England cannot afford to carry any passengers in an ashes series and Harmison needs to be dumped quickly before we throw the ashes away!
Complain about this postwe are knackered. it's looking like a pop gun attack and the team are holding back, lacking confidence.
Complain about this post5-0 australia unfortunately. thats where my money is going
steve, durham
"Who has never bowled a wide first ball?" asks A.Simpson
Well, I haven't, and nor has my 9-year old modestly talented son.
Yes, a nervous moment and all that, but this is a professional cricketer - it's his sole job in life to hurl a ball 22 yards down a pitch. It defies belief.
Complain about this postOkay, so this wicket is the proverbial batsman's dream. Had Flintoff called heads we may be waxing lyrical at how impressive England are still. Yet the quality of bowling is, despite the wicket's wicked green magnetism for the batsman, woeful, with the odd exception.
Complain about this postI mentioned during last years Ashes triumph the sad fact that Harmison has been in decline ever since the beginning of last year's Ashes. Prior to the first test, he was rightly billed as our most potent, attacking and threatening fast bowler, but he was so emphatically usurped by Flintoff. Harmison was fortunate to get the prized wicket of Kasprowicz since the delivery would have gone for four byes had it not have been for Jones' catch, and his wayward bowling was furthermore exemplified at Old Trafford during the final over when England needed that one wicket to win the third test. His confidence has been shot to pieces and he has become a liability, surprising when one considers how effective he was for England pre-Ashes 2005.
The first ball was startlingly shocking and set the tone for a gruelling first day and once again we are relying on Flintoff. Yet surely as batsman, bowler and captain he has too much to deal with on the plate. Simon Jones will be missed greatly and the likes of Harmison, Hoggard and Anderson must string some consistency and take at least 8 wickets between them this test.
Otherwise I'm afraid England will be overwhelmed not only at the Gabba, but for the remaining for tests, despite how proceedings fared after Lords last year.
If you discount the argument between spinners and quicks and look at englands "pool of bowlers" as a whole would giles be in the top 5 answer YES would panesar answer YES
Giles cracking fielder (one of the best nononsense fielders going) Cool and collective under pressure (stroking winning runs in 4th test last time around) and a reliable team player.
Panesar probably not the best under pressure (seeing psychiatrist??) not the best fielder but and a big but a young aggresive spinning spinner probably the first english one since perhaps tuffers, actually going for wickets every single ball
it is essentiall we play them both next terst to give the attack steady and solid spin with the optin of guile, grip and excitement
Complain about this postThere was already a worry that England wouldnt be able to take 20 Aussie wickets before the First Test started.
After Day 1, the only way they will retain the ashes is if they can bat well and get 5 draws!
Complain about this postI can't understand why people thought this was gonna be a tighter and more contested ashes than last year...England are a shadow of the team they were last year, No Vaughan(inspirational leader and master tactician), Jones (The unsung hero of last year) & Trescothick (over 400 runs and a classy slip fielder)...add to that, Harmison is woefully lacking in confidence (other than a bouncy track at Old Trafford he did nothing in the summer), Flintoff has far too much on his plate for someone who's just come back from injury(personally i think Strauss should've been given the captaincy) and the team do not have 20,000 fans behind them, add to that the Aussies made more mistakes in that series than they had in the previous 10 years of test cricket. There are many other reasons but i'll leave it at that, i hope i'm wrong.
Complain about this postLet's not forget that the wicket at Brisbane is a great one for batting on. Admittidly it wasn't one of the greatest collective England bowling performances but Freddie is leading from the front and the King of Spain is bowling well. Get behind the boys - It's called a test because it last for 5 days. Lets not get so disheartened after day one.
Complain about this postIt is about time Harmison grew up. It is an absolute joke that England's opening bowler should bowl the first ball of the match towards second slip ! The Aussies must be laughing themselves silly.
It seems Harmison hasn't responded to all the luvvy duvvy cuddles from captain and team management so maybe he should get a rollicking and told to perform or make way for someone else.
Complain about this postForgive me If I'm wrong but is isn't the Gabba basically a batting pitch? If we'd have won the toss the tables would be turned.
Complain about this postAgree with one of the posters above. When Aggers said 'the ball's gone straight to second slip' I thought we'd got the best start possible. Amazing how quickly you can change emotions.
Complain about this postI know we are in a difficult position but this team have shown their ability to come back over the past four years.
I hope the pundits give them a chance and do not join the queue of angels of doom.
Complain about this postAll i can say is Ha Ha England, you scraped home in last years ashes, and suddenly you were the best team in the world. Don't forget that Australia has dominated the last 15 years of Ashes cricket, and all signs point to another 15. Your confidence was misplaced as usual.
Complain about this postIf England had won the toss the score could easily have been the same in our favour - it was without doubt a great batting track. The key to outcome of this game lies with Harmison for England and Warne for Australia. Sadly my money would go on Warne. Along with the rest of the country I want to see Harmison back to his devastating best. However it is prbably time for some tough love from the England captain and management. Cutting him some slack doesnt seem to be working so what is there to loose.
Complain about this postFrom an England perspective and after all the hype an extremely disappointing start for the series. Flintoff looks like the only seam bowler who can take Aussie wickets and Harminson was absolutely appalling. Hoggard bowled well and on another day would have taken wickets but those slogs over gully from Langer should have been stopped by field placings.
Complain about this postAs a Pom living in Melbourne, yes I have tickets for the MCG, it was great to hear Aggers and Ol Roebuck on the ABC Radio for what was a dissapointing bowl. Wheres Henry "Earnst Stavros" Blofeld though, missing his dulcet tones.
Complain about this postI live down the road from the Gabba, wasn't there but watched most of it. Harmison was clearly mentally unfit to play, and dropping Monty indicated we wouldn't hope for a win. Australia have a tremendous batting line-up, there's no hope without your best attack, and they'll build a fast, huge total which lets them attack England. Aging McGrath? His reading of the game. his line and length, his commitment, are impeccable. I just hope that England's batsmen are positive but not rash. Australia are better in all departments, we need to play those with grit and talent if we are to compete. And few in England seem to realise that Perth is no longer a fast, bouncy track, but another batsmen-friendly pitch this season.
Complain about this postPinning your hopes on a strike bowler, bably out of form for over 12 months, is always liable to end in tears and when that man also suffers from cronic homesickness aswell as low confidense, you have a receipe for disaster! Then swapping your inform spinner for one who hasn't played for a year............?
Complain about this postharmison' attitude infuriates me. feels sorry for himself 24/7. start earning your £300k + wages per year.
Complain about this postthis messaage can also be read understood and acted upon by the rest of the squad and the 15 ( get it 15!!!)strong back room staff.
this aint a jolly........lets get serious. you are in danger of becoming a laughing stock!
Well Aggers,
This is what you get if your selection policy revolves around who bats at no.8. I doubt very much what Shane Warne scores with the bat will alter this match much, but with the ball...
Complain about this postThe Poms are an overestimated lot. One Ashes win and they have been showered with praise and hype.
Their one-day record stinks and their test level performances put them just over Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, perhaps. Much ado about nothing. Even if the injured Vaughn is back, he is no great shakes, either.
Complain about this postAnother poor start and England need a miracle to get back into this game and are probably already looking at defeat and have squandered the psychological advantage.
Harmison appears to have regressed almost to Saj Mahmood's level.
Playing two swing bowlers was a risk too far knowing that conditions aren't favourable for swing bowlers especially after the first 15-20 overs with the new ball and no reverse swing expert like Simon Jones.
Maybe should have contemplated going in with Giles and Panesar at the expense of Harmi or Anderson, especially seeing how many overs and how economical Pieterson has been so far and that's before we see Warne let rip.
Complain about this postAs much as I would like to look on the positive side I cannot see a way back for England in this test match. People forget that the majority of this team have never played the Aussies in their own back yard and with conditions favouring them. Also, there wasnt the same pressure on England at the start of the last Ashes series and even though we lost that first test, there were extremely good signs with our pace attack. No such signs here except Freddie. I really hope I am wrong
Complain about this postLeaving Monty out is a big mistake. GIles bowls defensively but is never going to bother the Aussies on a wicket that a part timer like Peterson can get turn. Monty would have given them more to think about and Ashleys batting is unlikely to either win nor save a test match.
Complain about this postWhat a negative lot 95% of you are, it's day one and already the dream is fading, sure Harmison was off the boil but Freddy and KP showed true grit on a batting and spinners wicket, aussies very aware of the damage the two springboks and captain will cause if not kept in check, sorry hate to bring this up but we don't rate Giles, Monty is your man and we are estatic he is sitting this one out just ask our mobile phone expert, Brisbane and Sydney Oz's best spinners wicket. We love having the barmy army over here but you lot are very naive if you think we are going to let them all sit together. This England team will come out fighting we expect no less, after all this is the Ashes.....
Complain about this postIt was a bad toss to lose - the pitch will undoubtedly turn later in the match - and we're now in a real battle to save the game, which is hardly the ideal position one day into the series. However, there is no reason at all why England's batsmen shouldn't rack up a big first innings total to give us half a chance. As for the selections? I think Giles was a logical, safe bet (so too Jones). Harmison is obviously a worry, but so are Hoggard and Anderson, neither of whom looked that likely to roll the Aussies over on a flat track. On a slower wicket (like Adelaide will be) I have a horrible feeling Hoggy could go miles. Mahmood anyone?
Complain about this postHarmie is just not up to it at the moment at all. I think for the next test Saj Mahmood should be picked for the next match as he is a good wicket taker.
But of course if Harmie discovers his confidence and form over night then he is are best bowler when on form but at the moment it is laughable how he is bowling.
I think we can still win the Ashes though, would like to see Monty play too.
Complain about this postOK, so it was a pretty poor first day from England, but I've been watching the highlights of the action and it seems to me that England were actually desperately unlucky.
The ball missed the catchers on countless occasions and on a different day, we could have taken 5 or 6 wickets for 250 runs, rather than the final outcome.
As for selection policies, I was as disappointed as most not to see Monty in the side, but we may as well forget about that now until the 2nd Test and hope the boys can save this one
Complain about this postCan't we send in another sub to catch Ponting out again? Reckoin he'd see the funny side this time around?
Complain about this postLast summer we had the worlds best cricket captian in our side. We had the worlds best pace attack, and we had home advantage. We now have none of the above. The one thing we do have is an really exciting genuine spin bolwer who just happens to be sitting in the stands.
O dear, this could all get very embarassing!
RICHARD - STOKE - LACKING SLEEP -
Complain about this postFair enough, play the King of Spain and Jones because they are better batsmen. But how many runs do you expect the pair of them to get in a typical match? 40-50? Surely Monty and a wicketkeeper (who can bat a bit too) who can hold on to the catches would have been a more positive and not all together risky bet.
Complain about this postWhy are we surprised this wicket is taking spin? it's always been Warne's favourite!
Just want to pick up on the guys who are questioning the preparation match time before the series. Where exactly were we going to fit extra games in? We hd the ICC trophy before it, and have the World Cup after it.
Sure there are things that many of us disagree with, such as the selection issues, but there always are!
We didn't do partivularly well 1st day at Lords last year, but there are still 24 days of this series to go, so come on England.
Complain about this postTomorrow is now such a crucial day for the rest of the series.
Australia could carry on where they left off today and bat through most of the afternoon and get 500+ and England could end the day 50/3 or England could strike early bowl Australia out for 400 and end the day 100+ without loss.
I would have gambled and given Harmison a go with the second new ball as the batsmen were playing for stumps and unlikely to take any risks before the close.
Complain about this postIn the end it is only day one of the series, lets not make any rash predictions about how we have no chance in the series.
The way i see it is that we need to see England bat before any accurate predictions can be made. We might very well go out and match the Australians with the bat which will place doubt in their mind about the outcome of the series let alone this test match.
Then, who knows what will happen we might even bowl them out cheaply in the second innings and have a sniff of victory (I do like to dream). Realistically speaking though, this game is not over yet and you can bet both Australia and England know that!
Complain about this posthopefully this will be Duncan Fletcher's swansong. He should have left 16 months ago, clearly he has stayed in the job too long. Also don't underestimate the loss of Troy Cooley. Winning in Australia was never gonna be easy, Im not sure England at full strength could win this one.
Complain about this postLet's hope the boys can bat cos they sure can't bowl.
Complain about this postHarmy's 1st ball summed up the story of what lay ahead for day 1.
C'mon boys give those aussies what for, starting from ball 1 day 2, a couple of early wickets are needed or its 1-0.
First Ball of the first test in a series sets the tone. We all know had Freddy won the toss and elected to bat then whichever Assuie had the new cherry in his hand he would be on the button.
We are asking 80% of our bowling attack to do something they have not done much in 12 months and that is bowl !
Leaving out Panesar was a huge mistake, picking Giles because of his batting is wrong. In my eyes the batters bat, the keeper keeps and the bowlers bowl. We have 5 batters, that should be enough. The best keeper should be picked, not the best batter/keeper. The best bowlers should be picked, not the one who may score a 10 or 15 in an innings.
To win a match you need to take 20 wickets. To save a match you need to bat well.
The biggest problem English Sport has is it too often picks the players who have peformed in the past, almost as if reputation is a guide to future performances. If a player, like Broad, has had a cracking season then lets throw them in. Give them a chance. Other nations would do it, but we prefer to go down the tried and trusted route.
Complain about this postLets see how good a pitch it really is when McGrath and Lee set about us tonight at some stage.
I will wager the first ball is not a wide from them and that neither of them lasts just two overs with the new cherry!!
Complain about this postReally miffed with the BBC who seem to regard impartiality as 'jump on England as soon as the tide turns'!
It was not a great day, but i believe that if we had won the toss the scorecard would not have been much different at the end of the day, apart from reading ENG instead of AUS.
Brisbane was always gonna be a batsmans wicket and the real test will be when we get out there with the bat.
Tomorrow morning will bring a different approach, the first day nerves should have settled and i would back England to dismiss Australia within 150 runs. Once Ponting is dismissed the rest should follow. And from what i've seen (Thanks to the wonderful 10 minutes highlights package) Flintoff looks like he'll be deadly once he's settled.
Our batting line up looks strong. Despite the loss of Tresco, Cook and Strauss should build a good start and with Bell on top form, if Pieterson and Flintoff come off we could get very close to the Australian total, particularly against an ageing bowling attack. If we can get within 100 runs of their total, the pressure will be on them.
At this stage i think England will, and should, be very happy with a draw, but i'm wouldn't dream of ruling out a win at this stage.
I send out a plea to the press to give a balanced view of the day and not pile pressure onto the lads as we know they can, and will, perform. The press have reacted today as if it's all over already.
Remove the negativity!! We all saw what a positive effect a positive attitude had in 2005.
Come on England, the fans are behind you!!
Complain about this postHarmison is always complaining about 'burn out' and playing too much cricket !
Well Harmy can i remind you that you hardly played any cricket during the summer for England, or Durham for that matter!!
Maybe you should look at fellow fast bowler Courtney Walsh's record.. 100+ test matches,500+ wickets, 100's of ODI's and 100's ODI wickets !!!
He also played year in year out for Gloucestershire taking 100's and 100's of wickets.
He never complained once.
The boy's got no heart and clearly is not up for the fight to retain the ashes.
Complain about this postIt looks to me that in selecting the England team they simply tried to get as many of the Ashes winning team back on the pitch regardles of what's happened since or current form.
Giles hasn't played for a year so how can he be expected to score any runs? I predict he totals less than 20 in this first match.
Harmison is off form so why oh why is he playing?
Then the wicket keeper situation is also a farce and I'm afraid Jones should not be playing.
If they are using both Pietersen and Bell on the first day, what would Monty have done?
Sorry but this selection has failed, handed the initiative to the Aussies and we now have an up hill task to bounce back.
Complain about this postEngland have no bowling depth at moment...Harmison is a liability, Anderson not good enough, Giles rusty...
Only hoggard and Monty have any form and one of them has been dropped....
Does not bode well...
Complain about this postAny team that beats Australia are good.
Complain about this postAny team that can beat Australia twice are very good.
Any team that can beat Australia more than twice and on home soil are bloody great.
Then let 'Old Liz' get the sword out and give them a fancy (but means nothing) title, they deserve it,but not before.
This series will prove last years win was a fluke and English sporting sides will still have the world laughing at it.
England will come back, of that I am sure. Whether they'll do it in time to save this test, I don't know. But did we honestly think that we'd be firing on all cylinders after a friendly knockabout against the President's XI, a 14 a side glorified net session against NSW and a snore-fest on a dead pitch in Adelaide? Last year the Ashes were played in August/September after the team had been involved in a previous test series, one day series and county matches. All on English pitches. So we had a bad day at the office. For gods sakes cut the boys some slack for a day at least. Ok, it wasn't a great start and yes, Round 1 to the Australians - well done, especially to Ponting who was under huge pressure. But remember, it was complacency and hubris that did for Australia last time round after the Lords test. Back our team!
Complain about this postCome on Aussie, come on, come on! Sorry boys, it's not looking good for you. You've got to win consistently to be considered great. Enjoy the previous win before this series is over!!
Complain about this postRandom thoughts that came to me during the first days play.
(First, to Chris Green (post #77), Tait's second ball had Strauss LBW for 0.)
As an Australian, I think it was a great start but not conclusive. England teams of the past would have been killed by such a first day but this team seems to be a bit different. They show a bit of ticker and I expect them to bounce back - whether in this test or the next.
Going into the 2005 series Australia had had the longest layoff for 3 years and its preparation consisted of ODIs, a 20/20 and one first class game I think. The arrogance and complacency of the team and administration were shown up. The same seems to have happened to England although it has not had such a long layoff. I think the commercialisation of the sport is compromising preparation.
I thought Flintoff struggled with his tactics today. Taking Harmison off after two overs guaranteed a bad day for him. With his bounce he could easily have jagged a wicket especially with Langer intent on going hard. Sometimes captains have to show confidence in someone when no one else will. I think that was one of those times. Opportunity missed.
Also, Freddie's field placings were too reactive.
I think Hoggard worried Hayden even with very little swing. Hayden wants to flat bat it through/over extra cover but he can't line him up especially because he cannot read the one that goes across him. Will be interesting to watch.
Martyn played a lazy shot to a reasonable delivery. He did the same in 2005. While he received some rough decisions he also played some careless (arrogant?) shots and was runout being far too casual also. I hope he doesn't make the same mistake.
England did indeed bounce back after losing the first test in 2005 but its bowlers had made an important impression. I am convinced that the way Harmison and others got up Langer, Hayden and Ponting on that first morning spooked Ponting into bowling at Edgbaston - he did not want to face that again. It looks like the most likely way England can have an impact in this test is with the bat. If a couple of guys get tons and it peters out to a tame draw then Australia will have to think about changing its bowling attack to get 20 wickets. That is England's mission for the rest of this test I think. That and get Gilchrist cheaply. On the other hand, Australia is just as likely to play 3-4 loose shots tomorrow morning...
Lastly, if the England quicks continue to be ineffective then it could do worse than play two
world class spinners.
Cheers
Complain about this postVernon
Not going to go into the Giles / Monty debate about being a defensive decision by the selectors.
I want to know how a guy (no matter how nice a guy ashley is) who has been out injured for over a year, has not bowled a ball in anger for Warwickshire, and only bowled a little bit in a warm up game a few weeks ago, gets put straight back into the test side at Montys expense?
Even if Lampard, Gerrard or Terry in the England football team had been out injured for a year, they would have had to at least played some competitive club football again, before they got picked for England again.
It just goes to prove that it's not how good you are, it's who you know and are best friends with that counts.
My heart sank late last night, before a ball had been bowled when i saw the team and that Ponting had won the toss. I turned to the wife and said they'll be 350 for 3 by the morning.
Well 346 for 3 isn't far wrong.
It's simple, Jones and Giles should not be in the team, they don't merit it. What on earth does it do to Read and Panasar's confidence. They don't really put a foot wrong and still they get dropped.
The sooner Fletcher goes the better. Lets pick the best 11 players we have got avaliable, I understand building for the future, but look at the Aussies, they play there best 11 no matter how old they are.
Experience or the lack of it shouldn't be the main factor, you pick a team that will deliver a win.
Harmison had a nightmare today, but would you really rather see Sajid Mahmood going for 6 an over or Plunkett? There are no players pushing for slots in this squad, players like Broad should have been taken, let the lad just have a go at them and play with no fear. (plus the lad can hold a bat, which is more than our tailenders).
This game is still not lost, but maybe it will give the players a kick up the bum and tell them that retaining the urn isn't going to be as easy as some people think?
Complain about this postSteve Harmison should be ashamed of himself. With the exception of that one test against Pakistan where he took 11 wickets, he hasn't looked like winning a test match for England for a long time. If England are happy with a draw, that just shows how negative they are which is why I feel they don't deserve the Ashes. Also, whoever said 'England 200-2 with Australia 450 all out'. I think you are forgetting that Australia's bowlers are far superior to England's bowlers and unlike England, THEY DO NOT FAULT UNDER PRESSURE!
Complain about this postAfter copius amounts of coffee and pro plus I risked watching the opening salvo and I was suitably underwhelmed. As a former quick myself, I pictured Harmison rolling in and knocking Langer on his rump. I'm not going to rubbish his efforts since I know that the harder you try the harder it is. However, his successes come with using his pace and height and aiming for ribs/chest/throat and even anything else that may get in the way. On a Brisbane pitch this should have been the only direcive Fletcher should have given him. Imagine my surprise when fighting the kids this morning for the remote control and find Pietersen has bowled nearly as many overs as our genuine Quick. At Brisbane. On day 1. The Ashes. Blimey!
Complain about this postOn the positive side, after day one at the Gabba four years ago, Australia were 364-2. So four years later, we've managed to take one more wicket, and keep them down to 18 fewer runs. Progress indeed - give it another 20 years, and we might actually be able to bowl them out on the first day!
All is not lost, though - as many people have already said, one bad day does not spell disaster, and England can only get better from here. It does look like a good batting pitch, so our line-up should be able to put on an equally good score. And if we can get out of this with a draw, I would expect Panesar to come in at the expense of one of the fast bowlers for the next Test... looking like Harmison at the moment.
Complain about this postHarmison, if you dont want to be there, take your shirt off and offer it to any of the 10,000 strong Barmy Army - Im sure they would love to have a chance at charging in at the Aussies - Re - Discover your form and rythm and we can win this fella's - Game on for days 2,3,4 and 5.
Complain about this postI think we are going to struggle to get 20 wickets in any game this series judging on todays performance.
We really miss Simon Jones and an in form Steve Harmison, without them freddie and hoggy just aren't enough firepower and as for Anderson, well he is only just getting himself back together after his injury problems.
How the coaching staff have allowed the Harmison problem to just go on is beyond me, it is clear the guy has serious issues both mentally and with his action, why have they not been able to correct this? And worse still why have they not recognised his poor form and dropped him, sorry guys crossing your fingers and hoping it will be alright on the night is not going to get the job done...
Complain about this postI'm not that sure what people actually expected from the current bowling line up.
How many of England's 5 front line bowlers actually played in the preceeding test series?
Has there been a case of any team starting a competative Test match, (never mind one of this intensity), with so little preperation?
Given the conditions, thye toss, the appaling mismanagement of the build up and the questionable team selection I think England actually did pretty well to keep Australia in touching distance for the first two sessions.
I also thought that during the first couple of hours, Flitnoff's impression of the Boy on the Burning Deck matched anything he produced last year.
Complain about this postHarmy's first ball was the worst ball ive ever seen, he is a confidence player and right now i think his confidence is shot. Couldn't agree more with Aggers saying one reason Freddie was made captian was to bring the most out of his perenially homesick best friend. Freddie must address this urgently.
Anderson's just gotback from injury, Giles hasnt bowled for a year, Flintoff's workload is already gargantuan as it is, which leaves only Hoggy as a sole dependable attacking outlet. No wonder we used an unheard 7 bolwers on the first day! Plus if Peitersen can eek moderate spin from this pitch then think what Shane will do to us!
Complain about this postIm praying for rain!
It would seem to me that this England side are quite devoid of any real confidence at the moment. I know its only the first day of a long campaign but Australia must be very boyant after day one.
Complain about this postAlso I think the selectors are sending the wrong message to the batsmen by selecting Ashley Giles ahead of the more attacking option of Monty Panesar.
What's gone wrong with Harmison?
When he's playing well, he's proven to be of the very highest calibre - the one the Aussies really fear! We all know you never lose ability but his lack of form is a confidence problem which is causing him to modify his tried & tested technique.
The is the serious stuff now & not just another county match of little consequence. Strong medicine is needed to fix the problem now as there's no more time left.
Flintoff & Fletcher needs to call his bluff one last time - deliver or else! If that doesn't motivate him, then it's clear he can't hack the pressure and his continued presence in Oz is a demotivator for the whole team - send him home!!
Complain about this postSomeone made a few good points about Courtney Walsh -- I think Richard Hadlee was another person who delivered for both county and country.
Hang on a second we should be focusing our best efforts on England. It is always easier to criticise others than deliver yourself. If Monty had been chosen and failed one can only speculate on how many people would then be posting "told you so!"
Also why are we being both judge and jury for the whole series after day one of the First Test? Probably because the Internet allows us all to be overnight successes as wannabee sports journalists -- everyone now has an opinion. Yet how many wait to make a considered opinion?
It would be interesting to hear what Courtney has to say about events Down under -- but at the end of the match rather than at the beginning.
Complain about this postSeriously
Dont bag your boys so much, just like the first test at Lords the boys may need a little whipping to get their tails up, but for godsakes dont bury them on the first day, and never ever question the sincerity in their conviction.
Remember you english usually win when you adopt the attitude of an Aussie! :)
Super...Super Fred...Super super Fred!
Complain about this postAll i have to say is english Cricketers are so lazy and they got no confident. All they can do is complain about how much cricket they are playing and missing their HOME. I am 100% sure Harmy is going home after this 1st test. This is just So PATHETIC
Here are some of the reason why ENGLISH is going to loose ASHES
* No Discipleine with Players
* Coach just SUX
* Picking Giles over Monty
*Lettting their number one Bowling coach in the world go and hiring a looser
Complain about this postAn angry ENGLISH CRICKET FAN
Haven't seen the highlights yet, but I do remember that the first day of the last Ashes series ended with a feeling of more of the same, under the wheels of the Aussie juggernaut. There was a difference, however, and it was Harmison, wasn't it, hitting Langer's elbow with his first ball, spilling the Australian captain's blood on the pitch - there was a core of fight in them and it came from him. Now it turns out he was gnashing himself up with conscience pangs at having hit poor Ricky, and the way he bowls now it seems that his 7-12 at Kingston was a miracle akin to the team of monkeys typing the works of Shakespeare at random. He needs to talk less and work more (get himself back to Newcastle United), and the idiot quacks warbling around the sport need to realise that cricketers need to play cricket in order to play cricket well. Too late for this series, though, I think. Hope I'm wrong.
Complain about this postWhat a bunch of panickers you all are. We've had one bad day at the office. Show a bit more faith in the boys please. Remember the end of Day 1 at Lords last year? Did it reflect the end result? No.
Complain about this postPLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE........BRING BACK MONTY! WE WANT MONTY! WE WANT MONTY! BELIEVE ME, THIS IS HIS TEST SERIES, AND HE SHOULD BE PLAYING. THIS IS HIS CHANCE TO PROVE HIMSELF AS THE BEST SPIN BOWLER IN THE WORLD!! JUST DO IT!
Complain about this postIt is far too early to panic, but in my opinion Harmison has always flattered to decieve. He has always been capable of wicket taking deliveries but his control is often very poor. Playing any sport at the highest level is about being able to deliver when it matters as well as ability, i think this is where Harmison may be lacking.
Complain about this posti hope this is being made clear to him......time for a little more stick and a smaller carrot!
Being taken off after 2 overs? Steve Harmison ought to feel humiliated and ashamed of his performance. It was craven. He is supposed to be England’s premier strike bowler but he consistently does not perform. Perhaps after all the hype, he is simply not good enough. After all, he really has only performed to his potential once: in the West Indies. Since then it has been the odd match where he has performed well; but mostly mediocre or poorly. He just does not have that aggressive competitiveness of the great fast bowlers like Holding.
Complain about this postHarmison went for 17 off the first 2 overs then bowled 10 overs for 35 runs on a flat pitch. Why all the hate?
Complain about this postHoggard's and especially Anderson's no's are just as bad if not worse.
A second gully rather than a third slip and things might have been very different.
"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you. If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you but make allowances for their doubting too...."
I think Kipling was a Prophet who wrote "IF" to be used in the future for Steve Harmison to remember.
And for some fans too.
Complain about this postDon't write Harmison off yet. Cricketers aren't machines.
(Remember Tyson? In 1954/5, his Brisbane figures were 1/160 from 232 balls bowled. But he kept his place and in the 2nd test he took 10 for 130 from a total of 252 balls).
What really worries me is that Collingwood wasn't tried. Is he yet another casualty?
Complain about this postWell Australia won the first day but I think England have got the players to get back into this test match. They're going to need a big first innings score and I think they,ve got the players to do it if they all play their part and not rely on one or two to make the runs. come on England!!
Complain about this postTwo crucial selection errors have cost England the game before a ball was bowled.
Complain about this post1. KP turned a few whereas Giles was merely steady. Monty may well have taken a couple more wickets and has a proven track record of being more economical than Giles. Monty creates pressure by not letting the batsmen off strike, often meaning that wickets fall at the other end.
2. Jimmy Anderson hasn't the pace to trouble top class batsmen when it isn't swinging. Mahmood would have been expensive, but a more likely wicket taker (and would probably score more runs on current form).
The stature of Sajid Mahmood and Monty Panesar has risen immeasurably in the last 24 hours.
I was extremely disapointed with Steve Harmison.
How can anyone believe that by not bowling overs in matches (being lazy in other words) is going to bring about some good form I do not know.
Steve Harmison needs a rather hefty kick up the backside and a serious amount of bowling over the next 7 weeks to get himself back into some sort of form.
The rest of England's attack (with the exception of Andrew Flintoff) looked mediocre at best. Hoggard was steady, Anderson looked nervous throughout and I still can't understand why they picked Giles over Panesar. Panesar is a wicket taker as he proved over the summer and because they put Jones back in as wicket keeper I think they should have stuck with Monty.
Rob Cox
Complain about this postI think it is obvious to everyone if they look at Harmison "the enigma" bowling on tour ,that since the West Indies when he was immense, he has no rhythm.
The first ball of this ashes compared to the first ball in the last is the perfect example.
While I agree he has the ability to be one of the worlds best fast bowlers with his height and pace, he is not consistent enough. I hope people are right when the say Freddie can get the best out of him. If Freddie turns him back into the player he was 2 years ago overnight, then he deserves a Knighthood!
I think all is not lost though. On this batting friendly wicket, with the top 5 all in good form, we could post a decent score in response. If all the batsman do well this has DRAW written all over it.....just hope Merlin has really helped the players cope with Warney
Complain about this postThe decision to drop Monty, a man in form and in the team, in favour of a Giles who has not played a competitive match for over a year is breathtakingly incomprehensible. By common consent Monty bowls more aggressively and more wicket-taking balls and for less runs than Giles, even when Giles is in top form. This year Monty has taken the wickets of top order batsmen (not cleaned up the tail) including 3 or 4 of the current top ten on unfriendly wickets.
Also, if a manager was serious about playing Giles, or at least giving himself the option then why was he not played in either, or preferably both, warm up matches.
The reason given for the selection is that Giles can bat at Number 8 and that you would want him striding out to the middle when England was 200 odd for 6. What kind of thinking is that? What managerial message is being implicitly sent to either (i)Monty or (ii) the top order batsmen.
To Monty it is: - look, you are the best bowler we have but despite that we are not going to pick you because we would rather have an undercooked lower order batsman instead.
To the top order batsmen it is: - look, I think you are all going to fail so I need to bolster the batting depth with an undercooked batsman.
Hardly the attitude or encouragement the Manager should be dispensing on the first day of an Ashes series. It smacks of the old English vice of first we must not lose rather than thinking we can win this. Panesar was the attacking option, an unknown quantity as far as the Aussies were concerned. Giles was the safe dull one. Is it any wonder that having made that choice and implementing that safety first attitude on Day 1 Harmison bowls a terrible first ball wide and Ponting relaxes into a comfortable pressure relieving big century and we are left climbing mountains again.
Lastly, if the inclusion of Giles was at the sole behest of Flintoff,as has been suggested in some parts, then it is further example of weak management and also why Strauss should have been made Captain.
Complain about this postWell, I managed to watch the first and last hour of the first day and having read the comments I thought I would add my thoughts.
England will know that they did not perform and whilst there might be questions over the selection, all the players selected are good enough.
I wouldn't criticise Flintoff's captaincy, it's a tough job and he leads the team well. However, I do believe that we miss Vaughan's captaincy. I believe him to be the best captain in the world, and his tactical abilities might have put us in a better position. Vaughan made things happen last year, he made sure batsmen had to keep thinking about what he was doing. I think Flintoff has a plan, but if it doesn't work, I'm less convinced he can adapt.
Harmison was well short of the mark. He'll know it, and I hope people get behind him. A good spell might be all he needs to regain some confidence and give the Aussies something to think about again.
Considering the lack of swing, I thought Hoggard bowled well. He doesn't get much of a mention in anything I've read. Perhaps it's expected of him now. I think England deserve some credit for sticking to their task in those conditions. I hope they come out fighting on day 2. If Harmison isn't firing, it will be up to Flintoff to put a few around Ponting's chin, but someone needs to.
Had we won the toss (and presumably batted), I would expect our batsmen to have coped with the Aussie seam bowlers, maybe losing a couple of wickets. BUT, you just know that if they hadn't made a breakthrough, Warne would have been on by lunch and whatever the conditions, he will take wickets. The pitch is turning at the end of day 1, and unfortunately it was Pieterson rather than Giles that proved it. We need some exceptional performances to survive this test, but I fear we will not.
Good luck England, knock them over by lunch and we'll be back in it.
Complain about this postI thought the whole point of warm ups was to give out of form players a chance to get some overs/time in the middle in to prepare them for the matches. If this is true, then why didn't Fletcher starrt Harmison in the warm ups? If he broke down with a relpase fair enough but if he had come through unscathed, then he would have had some overs so he probably would have bowled better today
Complain about this postSomeone has to impress upon Steve that he must pitch the ball 6 to 12 inches closer to the batsman.
His height and pace will make batting uncomfortable for the best players of today if he can consistently create doubt in the minds of batsmen about playing forward or back.
I know that fast bowlers hate being driven; at the end of the day what is better, a few drives with 4 or more wickets to show for the effort or 20 plus overs costing less than 2.5 runs each and zero wickets.
It is pain for gain situation.
Complain about this postObvious comment first - we lost the first Test last time. Everyone was slammed apart from KP and we recovered. You can argue the Giles/Jones Panesar/Read selection til the Aussies go green in the face. They do say 'Never go back' and Giles/Jones seems retrograde and a shame for Monty particularly. Harmi on the other hand needs to bowl well. Anderson doesn't seem capable. And did I miss something but where's Mahmood? Don't start worrying yet. We can do it. 2-2 will be fine by me.
Complain about this postDay 1 over and already the English nation is back to doing what it does best. Sit back and moan. I'm already sick of seeing the negative comments not just on this site, but from the likes of Agnew and Boycott. No, it wasn't a great start and yes, we have a few players who just haven't had enough games under their belts to get any form following injuries. But retaining the Ashes against the best team in the world on their own patch is going to be hard enough, without the majority of the nation publically chucking away their betting slips already.
Here's a novell and new suggestion to the majority of the negative speaking English... Why not get behind the team, not just off the back of the glory days, but from start to finish of this tour - win, lose or draw?? You never know, Steve Harmison picking up a few papers and actually seeing words of support and encouragement may actually help motivate him and help find his form. It's got to be better than not wanting to pick up the paper at all because of the cheap Boycott/Agnew comments.
Come on England, dig in because it's going to be tough. Just have some belief and do your best
Complain about this postWell a poor first day, but theres a long way to go. I would say a draw is probably the best we can hope for in this game now.
The only worry is that, unlike last year when Aussie complacency let us back inot the series, we are sure to face a more focused and determined Australian challenge.
Still we haven't had a bat and the wicket looks good for Bell, KP or Flintoff to get in and hopefully put a score together.
Complain about this postHaving read the majority of these posts, I find it hard to believe we have only had 1 day's play.
People are still debating Panesar vs Giles and how the ashes is already over for us. Cricket matches are sometimes lost on the first day however they are rarely won on the first day.
We have a batting line that can more than match the Aussies, we have previous (and recent) experience of beating the Aussies so why cannot we just get behind them and look at the positives rather than concentrate on the negatives.
It is true that Harmy had a bad day however he has the ability to roll over a team for next to nothing.
As an aside, I would rather let Duncan Fletcher pick the team than anybody else as this was the guy who was partly responsible for us winning back the Ashes in the first place.
Complain about this postOne other comment to make. To think of the Aussie bowling attach as ageing may be true, but if anyone thinks that means they have lost potency I think their niaive. McGrath might not be quite the bowler he was, but I can't imagine his first ball will be like Harmison's! Anyone want to bet against Warne taking a hatful in each test?
I'm an England fan, but man for man, the Aussies are the better team - on paper at least. We can beat them, but only if we get on top and put the pressure on.
Complain about this postLike the way Panesar was dropped for Giles as Giles was a better batsmen, why wasn't Anderson dopped for Mahmood as Mahmood is a better batsman?
Silly decision making by the management
Complain about this postIt all went terribly wrong as soon as they announced Giles instead of Panesar. Monty Panesar, would have been along with Hoggard Englands only on form bowlers. Flintoff, Anderson and Giles are all coming back from injury, Harmison is clearly out of form. They need someone like Monty in the side, a match winner who has been playing regular Test cricket. a great spinner of the ball has been dropped for an ordinairy slow bowler just bacause he can add 10 or 20 more runs. Big Mistake!
Complain about this postOne day doesnt make a series, but form and momentum is a key factor. Lets show both and quickly ... Each player needs to stand up
Complain about this postWhether batting or bowling - or playing any racket sport - it is critical to keep the eyes horizontal and the head level or one's binocular vision becomes less effective and inconsistent play results. Numerous current photos of Harmison at the point of delivery show his left eye way below his right as he leans to the left. Inconsitent bowling has resulted. He needs to have his bowling technically sorted out asap.
Complain about this postAs soon as the team was announced I knew the mentality was not there. Giles may score 20,30, or even 40 runs, but he is not going to trouble any of the Aussies. The amount of turn KP was getting was an indication of how effective Monty could have been
I also fear for Freddie in the captains role. he did not bring himself on quick enough. He is too close to Harmisson to be ruthless, and Harmy, being the gentle giant he is, could take Freddie's snubs too personally. He looks about two steps behind Tresco in terms of breaking down and going home. Where is Stuart Broad?
Complain about this postIs this what happens when you don't let your bowlers play county or grade cricket to help them get some overs in and let them find their rythm naturally?
By the way, not picking Panesar is a joke. I agree with Boycott - Fletcher's time is surely up. No advances have been made since the last Ashes series beyond finding an exciting spinner who Fletcher doesn't like and would rather have a spinner who can't turn the ball and might add 20 or 30 runs an innings if he's lucky. Not going to be much use though when we're chasing six or seven hundred.
Complain about this postHAHA The Ashes are coming home!!!!!!!!!!! Home to Australia! *pelvic thrusts*
Complain about this postSat on the front row at the Gabba - keyed up for the Ashes and Harmison bowls like a complete novice - only Freddy gave them anything to think of - at least we all fell about laughing when the 'fanatics' started to sing and had to read the words from their scripts - then forgot the song half way through anyway....priceless
Complain about this postI believe it is not coincidence that Harmison's lack of form, injuries aside, coincides with Troy Cooley's departure from the England camp. He was the one who mentored him and turned him into a decent fast bowler, now in his time of need he is not there.
Complain about this postHarmison is such a weak man. There are so many people who would like his talent, his life and his cash - he's sticking two fingers up at every England fan. I would drop him - he hasn't put in a really good spell for England since he took 5-43 vs Australia at Lord's - even his ten wickets against Pakistan were a result of abysmal batting. Otherwise he has been plain unvarnished rubbish.
Complain about this postEngland are a Tiger when in the safety of their own home turf but when they have to play in Australia and as I expected, they are nothing but a scared little mouse. 5-0!!!!!!!!!!
Complain about this postThree major errors in order of stupidity -
1, Dropping Panesar
2, Dropping Reid
3, Flintoff taking over from Strauss
All three undermine the concept of picking on consistency and merit. Putting 'favourites' ahead through loyalty will only create extra pressure and resentment.
I thought Boycott was wrong when he called for Fletcher to go - but looks like he had a point!
Complain about this postI e-mailed this to a friend this morning, I wasn't very happy.
I think we discussed the problem with picking Hoggard and Anderson if the ball didn’t swing. From what I’ve seen Giles has done a good job of holding up an end as usual but the negative effect of our hapless quicks at the other is too much to bare when you consider that Monty our best spinner is sat in the hutch twiddling his thumbs. It just adds more fuel to the fire when KP comes on and bowls 10 or so overs because the quicks can’t cut it.
What I don’t understand is that Fletcher is always talking about 2 dimensional cricketers, I would have said when it comes to bowling both Anderson and Hoggard are both one dimensional, they both rely totally on swing. Mahmood has three weapons, first he’s faster than the other two, second he can get a bit of reverse on his day and third he can swing it if the ball is swinging.
The shining light last night from what I’ve seen so far is Freddie, Harmison should be able to get as much if not more out of these pitches than Freddie. If he doesn’t do anything in this series I think there will be a question hanging over him for the rest of his career concerning mental toughness. If I were the England manager I would pay Courtney Walsh, Allan Donald and Ambrose to come over and give him a few lessons in accuracy, bowling different balls and mental strength. He is wasting his talent with the current England set up, they have messed up Anderson and now they’ve done it to Harmison.
I know it’s only day one and that there is a long way to go but the improvement needed is 10 fold, I’m sure when England bat the Aussies will find it just as hard to bowl until the pitch starts breaking up then we will see if our batsmen have any metal.
Email Duncan for me and tell him to go for Giles, Monty, Mahmood, Freddie and Harmison. That’s so much more attacking than the current line up? Freddie and Mahmood take the new ball and Harmison at first change. Collingwood and KP used only to break rhythm not as front line bowlers. I’d love to know what Geoff Boycott thinks of this.
Complain about this postIf England lose, and lose badly, will Duncan Fletcher ever be accountable for his poor decisions?
Surely Monty's bowling would save more runs and take more wickets than Giles, and outweigh the fact Giles may get 10 or so more runs.
Also, what did Geraint Jones actually do to get back into the team? Apart from not being Chris Read.
Complain about this postHow can England get 20 wickets with one wicket taker: Flintoff?
Without Simon Jones I think they will lose badly, especially if Harmison does not recover his form.
Complain about this postEvery cloud has a silver lining, if we lose the Ashes now after handing the initiative to Australia maybe Fletcher will get the sack, and then the Old Boys Club that the overseas selection team has become can be broken up and we can start picking players of class and form, not ones that are average at everything but excel at nothing like those wasters Giles and Jones.
Complain about this postI think that to play Harmison was right but he needs a good kickstart by his captain and team mates. The Giles Panesar decision will come to boil if England lose or win. Giles either being a hero or villain. The big mistake for me was the defensive decision to take Chris Read out of the team. The poor feller must be heartbroken at that decision. Englands problem is that it never gives anyone a chance to settle in. Its the same in the rugby union team as well. The selectors are just going to have to knuckle down and be consistent with their choices. I think australia will be licking their lips to play an underform Harmison, an unprepared spinner, a cagey wicket keeper and a selection team ready to make wholesale changes at the first sign of a test!!!!
Complain about this postI cannot help but feel that there is a clear connection between the startling demise in Harmison's bowling over the last year and the departure of Troy Cooley as England bowling coach. This is not to disparage Kevin Shine. It is more a case of highlighting what a good coach and motivator Cooley is. Are we not also seeing the emergence of exciting young Australian pace bowlers in Tait and Johnson and the rejuvenation of Brett Lee under Cooley's tutelage? The ECB acted very short sightedly in not offering Cooley an extended contract that he could not refuse.
Complain about this postWould Harmisson be bowling like this under the guidance of Troy Cooley? - I doubt it. The EWCB might have cost us the ashes by dithering over his contract renewal. If Steve doesn't pick up, why not a straight swap - Panesar for Harmisson?
Complain about this postFar too many negative comments on England's progress thus far. We have lost the toss on an excellent wicket for batting with a very nervous bowling attack. We have a very experienced side who know how to win test series so lets be optimistic. We have 24 days of test match cricket left! KP for man of the series!
Complain about this postDid Harmison have that bad a day? He bowled one bad ball and then some good balls. By the time his second and third spells came along, he was into the groove and wickets would surely have come. Now, his confidence will be shot. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Flintoff consulted with people like Hussain and Atherton at lunch and tea. Both could not wait to have a go in their commentary, especially Atherton with his negative views on 'Stephen' Harmison.
The simple truth is that Flintoff is not nearly the captain Vaughan is, nor is he as good or as effective as Strauss. He is our best cricketer, but history teaches us that the best cricketer in a side does not necessarily make the best captain.
Giles bowled pretty well, I thought, as did Hoggard in parts. The real howler, in my mind, was to play Anderson. The guy is not a test bowler. Funnily enough, though, Athers praised him to the hilt, even though there was little or no evidence to back this up. Why Sadj was not playing is beyond me. A very bad day at the office - we can only hope things get better, and fast.
Complain about this postI'm afraid that England haven't got a clue how to bowl on flat wickets. We saw this in the summer against Pakistan at Lord's, Headingley and the Oval. When the ball isn't swinging or seaming a bowler has to add his own varieties. I didn't see England bowl one slower ball in the first two sessions. I didn't see one proper yorker bowled. Harmison might have attempted one to Langer but it was a smidgin short. I didn't see England attempt a bouncer for about 40 minutes, and in keeping with the day's efforts it was poorly executed. You can't bowl just line and length on a flat wicket to batsmen who are looking to attack you and expect to take wickets. Why didn't Hoggard try any of his cutters? Why didn't Anderson, whose best ball was that yorker to Mohammed Yousuf in the last World Cup? Maybe he did, but his execution was so off it became one of the many half vollies he bowled. If that's so, then as an experienced ODI bowler it's unacceptably poor.
Take Harmison. The best ball he's bowled for England was that slower ball yorker to Michael Clarke at Edgbaston last year. Why didn't he attempt it yesterday, or come to think of it in the summer...? It might not have worked. It might have come out horribly wrong and been smashed for four. Lots of his other deliveries came out horribly wrong and were smashed for four, so I fail to see how trying something different was such a risk. Yet he didn't. Will he bowl another at Clarke tomorrow? I hope so, but I doubt it.
In the summer England batted first in those three tests I've mentioned and had runs on the board, apart from at the Oval, which softened the impact of conceding big first inning totals. I'm afraid in Brisbane we're looking at chasing 500 plus, with the prospect of facing Warne on the last 3 days. I'll be interested to see how the Aussie seamers bowl. If McGrath and Clark bowl line and length and get wickets, then I'll be surprised. I would expect Lee to be the most dangerous seamer, especially if he bowls the odd spell in bouncer/yorker mode. They might be regretting omitting Tait, although one wouldn't put it past England's batters to adopt a tentative approach and get themselves out, rather than the bowlers do anything special.
Complain about this postYes, it was a bad first day, but...
Freddie is fit and looking good, we didn't drop any catches, all the main batsmen are in form, Harmy is a great bowler and needs reminding of it, Monty wouldn't have taken any more wickets than Gilo has done, we only have to draw the series to hang on to the Ashes and we lost the 1st Test in 2005 and still won the series.
Roll on Day 2 and Freddie's Barmy Army. Get's get stuck into those Aussies; we know from last time that they are not as good as they once were. And they also know it.
COME ON ENGLAND!!!
Complain about this postWhats the use of having your best bowler of this last season, Monty sitting in the stands playing with his beared?
Complain about this postHe is second on the team sheet for me after freddie,Fletcher and graveney have to take the blame.
Whats the use of 20 extra runs from giles when your chasing 600.
Warne can recognise talent, why cant Fletcher.
No chance of getting your citizenship now fletch, and you can take Graveney, geoff miller, kevin shine(so called bowling expert!!!!) all back to africa with him and join Robert Mugabe and his fantasy cricket league.
giles did great last year, but has not bowled for a year and is past his best, if he ever had a best, anderson hardly bowled for a year, harmy hardly bowled for a year, so what do they do, leave the most talented spinner we have seen since Underwood on the bench.
What next, I know, leave Rooney out of the next few qualifers!
Just Barmy.....just no army!
Can't agree with that comment about Mahmood coming in for Anderson because of his better batting. Playing Mahmood would be like having another Harnison in the side. In other words, wayward fast bowling asking to be smacked around the park. If Mahmood were to have been brought in for anyone it should have been Harmison but the management team were hoping against hope that Harmison would produce his best form and let's face it to leave out the main strike bowler really would have been a brave decision.
Complain about this postAlthough I agree with most of the negative comments posted here about England, I am trying to stay positive like Jane.
Yes, it was painful to watch some of the cricket yesterday but we all know what the England team is capable of. The team didn't look very psyched to me except for Fred. If they really get up for it tomorrow then i'm sure they can turn things around. Come on boys!
Harmy definately needs to back himself. He's good enough to get any batsmen out when he's confident!
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