Blogging the (Fake) Ashes 06/07 - 1st Test, Brisbane

Isn't this what all cricketing fans would have been waiting for? After the fireworks in England during the hacienda summer of 2005, England went halfway around the world in search of a first series win Down Under for the best part of two decades, and going out there was a fairly inexperienced squad. But similarly, the Aussies had upheavals to deal with, and their old guard of Warne and McGrath were no longer around to torment the England batsmen.

England team to face Australia: Vaughan (c), Cook, Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood, Hayman, Mustard (wk), Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar
Australia team to face England: Jaques, Hayden, Ponting (c), Clarke, Hussey, Symonds, Haddin (wk), Hilfenhaus, Lee, Gillespie, MacGill

Probably the biggest surprise to you, dear reader, is the self-indulgent inclusion of all-rounder Hayman. But that aside, Strauss didn't earn a starting berth, leaving Vaughan to open the innings alongside Cook. Surprisingly for Australia, Hilfenhaus was preferred to left-handed paceman Nathan Bracken, but that's not my fault.

Toss won by Australia, and somewhat strange on a decent Brisbane track England were inserted into bat to get the proceedings off to a start. Far better than the Harmison delivery to gully eh? And England enjoyed a fairly solid opening, with both Cook and Vaughan surviving the early ball to notch up a 100 partnership before the first wicket fell without the score advancing any further into three figures, as it was left to Stuart MacGill to remove the England captain for 51. Cook soon fell for 69, and Pietersen could only muster three runs, but the tourists managed to get themselves to a respectable 295-4 when Collingwood fell for 68. Ian Bell racked up the first century of the tour, while Flintoff also hit a half century as the tail fell apart around him leaving England five runs shy of a psychologically-boosting 400.

But the main worry for England was the fact that already a spinner had done the damage, with MacGill taking seven scalps for 100 runs. Yet if it was a worry, then Monty Panesar did enough to ease the minds of England chiefs. In their first innings reply, Australia were restricted to 401, not the run-fest England bowlers may have had to endure although Ricky Ponting ended not out on 166. Panesar took four wickets for 99 runs while Hayman, Hoggard and Harmison took two apiece.

England, just six runs behind going into the second innings, made another assured start with Cook and Vaughan sharing 110 together before valuable contributions through to Andrew Flintoff boosting the England score. None more so than the maiden test century for Hayman, but while the tail enders of Hoggard, Harmison and Panesar upped their score, neither got out of single figures. But, for Panesar, it was another not out for him. And this time it was Hilfenhaus who did the major damage, taking 6-114 whereas the elder statesmen now, Lee and Gillespie, were struggling to contain the batsmen.

Australia then entered the fourth innings requiring 398 for victory, needing the runs in just one day's play. Not a formality, but not exactly unattainable... or so they may have believed. Any thoughts of a home victory had to be abandoned once Monty Panesar had single-handedly reduced the hosts to 60/3 before the spinner teamed up with Harmison and Flintoff to rattle through Australian wickets to leave the score on a perilous 203/8 with two overs left. Hussey was hanging in there, but was off strike for Panesar's last over of the game. And with the first ball of the penultimate over, a chance to pouch Gillespie was spurned by Pietersen. Although the wicket came four balls later (KP off Panesar), Hussey was left to face the last over of the game and assuredly defended.

So, shades of the 2005 Old Trafford test reminded the Aussies that the English meant business, and the visitors were aggrieved not to have secured the win. But the chance will come again as Adelaide awaits next time out.

Series score: England 0-0 Australia (1)