THE ASHES 4TH TEST - DAY ONE REPORT

MCG, BOXNG DAY TEST; DEC 26-29, 2006

(Karthik Narayan)

England won the toss and elected to bat in what is normally called “the Pride of the vanquished” match. Have England become normal cricketers by getting defeated 3-0 in the Ashes from the “Immortal” status they enjoyed in 2005?

Cook didn’t make much sense of 36 balls and Lee struck with the score at 23/1. It was a business day for Australia!

Warne was in his element, approaching his 700th wicket. Who would be that lucky one to get out as No.700 to the greatest bowler of the world was the only question. Good for Warne, it was going to happen sooon. But not before the English hundred was up.

Strauss was the lucky hero (he can now say, “I got out to Warne” to his grandchildren); so for cricketing trivia that may pop up – remember that part.

101/4 with Warne completing 700 – that only meant he was licking his lips for more. He bagged Pietersen, Read (the keeper), Harmison and Panesar to complete a five for on the first day of a test on a pitch dubbed “heaven to the faster bowlers”! which speaks for itself.

England all out for 159, Warne with a five-for. The day’s honors were his for the taking. He basks in the glory that was set for him.

At stumps, day one, Australia were 48/2, a little trouble, but not enough to lose sleep on.