FIRST TEST Nov 23-27, 2006, BRISBANE

THE ASHES

FIRST TEST Nov 23-27, 2006, BRISBANE

The ROUNDUPO OF THE TEST

(Karthik Narayan)

Steve Harmison goofed up bowling the first ball of the match (and a few overs too over the course of the match), and England woes continued from the tick tock of that minute to the time when they woke up and realized they were getting pummeled, but then it was too late – 4 days had gone past them, and they were staring defeat in the face.

Australia won the toss on a splendid sunny bright day on Thanksgiving day, Nov 23, 2006.

The run riot associated with the awesome aussies was just on – and it went without saying that Langer, Ponting & Co were going to make mincemeat of the Poms this time around.

England were weak in their first innings, with McGrath breaking their backs with his superb line and length. Australia, smartly didn’t enforce the follow on inspite of having a lead of over 400 and played a few overs quickly scoring runs and putting the boulder of runs upon England.

Ultimately it boiled down to only one result – England getting bowled out, but Peitersen delayed the inevitable.

Australia 1st innings - 602/9 decl
Ponting 196
Langer 82
Hussey 86

England 1st innings - 157 all out

McGrath 23.1-8-50-6

Australia 2nd innings - 202/1 decl
Langer 100*

England 2nd innings - 370 all out
Collingwood 96
Pietersen 92

AUS WON BY 277 RUNS

Player of the match - R.Ponting