Ashes Series Australia v England - First Test (Day 4) Brisbane

Australia win the First Test

Australia 295 and 401-7 declared beat England 136 and 179 by 381 runs (Australia lead Series 1-0)

Mitchell Johnson took five wickets as Australia bowled England out for 179 on the fourth day's play in Brisbane to win the First Test match by 381 runs. Cook and Pietersen put on a fifty partnership during the morning session but Johnson dismissed Pietersen before lunch to reduce England to 72-3. Bell came in and provided another fifty partnership with Cook before edging behind on 32. The rain stopped play during the afternoon session with England 142-4 but it was not enough to stop the Australians rampaging their way to victory. Six wickets fell in the space of two hours as England collapsed yet again from 142-4 to 179 all out. Johnson was the star player of the Test as Australia lead the Series 1-0.

My Opinion:
Another shocking batting effort from the English middle order. The result was inevitable but it was still a woeful effort from some of the English players. Cook, Pietersen, Bell and Root are exempt from my criticism as they at least put up a fight but the rest of the team need to show a lot more guts than they did. To lose the last five wickets for 37 runs is embarrassing whilst to not pass 200 runs in either innings is tough to take. Australia deserved to win this Test as they batted and bowled really well throughout but it was handed to them on plate. 
Australia will be going into the next Test really confident after such a huge win whilst Johnson looks a completely different player to past years.
England bowled reasonably well with Broad deserving of praise but the batting was atrocious at times. Really poor result for the team but there is still plenty of cricket to play and I really hope they get their act together next time round and level the Series.



Match Guide: Key Moments:

Morning Session:
0037: 50-2, Cook 18*, Pietersen 22*.
0053: 63-2, 50 partnership between Cook 29* and Pietersen 24*.
0107: 72-3, Pietersen 26 (52), 2 fours, caught Sub, Johnson.
0202: 98-3, Lunch, Cook 40*, Bell 20*.

Afternoon Session:
0244: 103-3, Cook 43*, Bell 22*.
0259: 114-3, Cook reaches 50*.
0312: 123-3, 50 partnership between Cook 57* and Bell 27*.
0329: 130-4, Bell 32 (70), 3 fours, caught Haddin, Siddle.
0400: 142-2, Rain stops play.
0442: 142-4, Tea, Cook 65*, Root 5*.

Evening Session:
0531: Play Resumes after the rain delay.
0533: 142-5, Cook 65 (195), 3 fours, caught Haddin, Lyon.
0543: 146-6, Prior 4 (8), 1 four, caught Warner, Lyon.
0545: 150-6, Root 6*, Broad 4*.
0549: 151-7, Broad 4 (3), 1 four, caught Haddin, Johnson.
0551: 151-8, Swann 0 (2), caught Smith, Johnson.
0722: 172-9, Tremlett 7 (41), 1 four, caught Bailey, Harris.
0743: 179 all out, Anderson 2 (8), caught and bowled by Johnson (5 wicket haul), Root 26*(86), 4 fours. Australia win by 381 runs and lead Ashes Series 1-0.

Batsman of Innings: Cook 65 (195)
Bowler of Innings: Johnson 5-42

Batsman of Test: Warner scored 173 runs
Bowler of Test: Johnson took 9 wickets

Batsman of the Day: Cook scored 65 runs
Bowler of the Day: Johnson took 5-42

Player of the Day: Mitchell Johnson