Ashes Series Australia v England - First Test (Day 3) Brisbane

Australia continue to dominate First Test

Australia 295 and 401-7 declared lead England 136 and 24-2 by 537 runs

Australia put themselves in a very strong position after dominating day three in Brisbane. Warner and Clarke both completed centuries in a 150 run third wicket partnership that put the home side firmly in control of the Test. England reduced Australia to 299-5 at Tea but Haddin and Johnson scored heavily and quickly during the evening session to push the Aussies past the 400 run mark. With the lead passing 550 runs, Clarke decided to declare on 401-7 and have a spell before the close at the England openers. During the 45 minutes that England batted, both Carberry and Trott fell as they were reduced to 24-2 at the close. 

My Opinion:
A complete disaster for England. Australia have continued to dominate and are most likely going to win the First Test tomorrow. Warner and Clarke were very impressive with the bat and just took the game away from England with their 150 run strong partnership. To add insult to injury, Haddin and Johnson added another 100 runs between them to put the Aussies past the 400 run mark. What was really annoying was that both Carberry and Trott failed to keep their wickets at the end of the day which destroys any hope that England had of playing out a draw. 
Australia will be looking to bowl England out tomorrow but most probably in a fashion that sets a tone for the next Test.
England really don't have much of a chance of avoiding defeat here so it will be interesting to see who digs in tomorrow and who doesn't.



Match Guide: Key Moments:

Morning Session:
0004: 67-1, Rogers 16 (81), 1 four, caught Carberry, Broad.
0034: 75-2, Watson 6 (27), 1 x four, caught Broad, Tremlett.
0054: 94-2, Warner reaches 50.
0055: 94-2, Rain stops play.
0110: 94-2, Play resumes.
0119: 103-2, Warner 57*, Clarke 18*.
0140: 131-2, 50 partnership between Warner 70* and Clarke 23*.
0201: 145-2, Lunch, Warner 77*, Clarke 27*.

Afternoon Session:
0243: 151-2, Warner 77*, Clarke 33*.
0258: 173-2, Clarke reaches 50.
0303: 172-2, 100 partnership between Warner 99* and Clarke 50*.
0307: 182-2, Warner reaches 100.
0317: 203-2, Warner 104*, Clarke 70*.
0337: 227-2, 150 partnership between Warner 118* and Clarke 80*.
0342: 233-3, Warner 124 (154), 13 fours and 1 six, caught Prior, Broad.
0353: 242-4, Smith 0 (7), caught Prior, Tremlett.
0418: 255-4, Clarke 94*, Bailey 9*.
0429: 278-4, Clarke reaches 100.
0448: 294-4, 50 partnership between Clarke 113* and Bailey 29*.
0449: 294-5, Clarke 113 (130), 9 fours and 1 six, bowled by Swann.
0457: 299-5, Tea, Bailey 34*, Haddin 1*.

Evening Session:
0518: 304-5, Bailey 34*, Haddin 6*.
0520: 305-6, Bailey 34 (60), 1 four and 2 sixes, bowled by Swann.
0530: 325-6, New ball taken.
0600: 356-6, 50 partnership between Haddin 42* and Johnson 15*.
0621: 395-6, Haddin reaches 50.
0625: 395-7, Haddin 53 (55), 5 fours, caught Anderson, Tremlett.
0628: 401-7, Johnson 39*, Siddle 6*.
0631: 401-7, Australia declare, Johnson 39* and Siddle 6*. Australia lead by 561 runs.

Batsman of Innings: David Warner 124 (154)
Bowler of Innings: Chris Tremlett 3-69.

England Second Innings:
0701: 1-1, Carberry 0 (14), bowled by Harris.
0714: 10-2, Trott 9 (9), 1 four, caught Lyon, Johnson.
0746: 24-2, Close of play, Cook 11*, Pietersen 3*. England trail by 537 runs.

Batsman of the Day: Michael Clarke 113 (130)
Bowler of the Day: Chris Tremlett 3-69

Player of the Day: Michael Clarke