My buddy Tim and I are in Cardiff, like thousands of other Aussies, to fulfil a lifelong dream. To see an Ashes Test in England. Actually, Wales. For England we’ll have to wait til next week at Lord’s. We have understanding wives back home.
We’re on an MCC Tour and staying at The Hilton. The same hotel as the wearers of the baggy green. And also this week the base for a galaxy of cricketing gods and officials, plus at least one ex Prime Minister. Last night we had dinner with Kasper. We also had a good chat with AB in the foyer. I was excited to hear that Lara was in the building, then disappointed to learn it was only the one getting fondled by Michael Clarke not the West Indian artist. Tim bailed up Andrew Hilditch in the gym this morning, running on the adjacent treadmill, and tried unsuccessfully to elicit the final Aussie line-up, mainly because Tim finds it very difficult to speak when he’s running.
The team hierarchy has been keeping the team composition a closely guarded secret. We reckon they’re in a state of confusion. They’ve decided to tamper with the winning side from the last series in South Africa. First they wanted to insert Watson, before he broke down as usual. Then there was the big Brett Lee push but he fell apart as well. Last night the consensus was that Johnson and Siddle would be joined by Stuart Clark, with the final spot a toss-up between Hauritz, Hilfenhaus and possibly even McDonald.
We’d heard the selectors wanted to take a final look at the pitch this morning before making their decision, with concern about the likelihood it would take spin. As the team bus set off from our hotel after breakfast, all the contending players seemed to have their kit with them.
We wandered past the Millennium Stadium, through Bute Park and down along the River Taff to Sophia Gardens, the UK’s ninth and newest test match venue. The ground accommodates just 16,000 people, but the mood was excited as Cardiff on debut looked to put on its best face.
After England won the toss and batted, then their openers made a solid start, we thought we were in for a rough ride. But a brilliant airborne grab and tumble in the gully by Hussey off Hilfenhaus saw the back of Cook at 1-21 and from there the momentum was with Australia right through the morning session.
The 20th over, bowled by Johnson, featured some breakthroughs. The first LBW appeal of the innings. Then the wicket of Strauss, a pop up off the skewiff blade (and maybe glove) caught by Clarke at first slip from a fast one (93 MPH) straight at his face.
We enjoyed Bopara’s scratchy innings of 35. After the early ball in the throat he took from Siddle he showed an inclination to flay at the ball. Keen to get on the front foot and showed very little back foot play. He reminded me of the openers I play against in Singapore grade cricket – they tend to be small Indian guys with great eyes and aggressive attitudes who can get away on you if they survive ten overs. Johnson’s slower ball (at just 79 MPH) completely did him. He won’t trouble Australia much this series.
So England went to lunch 3-97 and we toured Sophia Gardens during the break quite contented. But after lunch Australia played like we felt after our burgers and fries – keen for a nap. It was as if, having gained the initiative and won the points in the morning, they were happy to draw the middle session and hang on to a points lead. They let the game drift. There was no spark, little chatter and poor outfielding, with virtually every throw landing at Haddin’s feet on the half volley. We’ve heard that Pietersen thrives on conflict – perhaps the strategy was to bore him out.
Hauritz bowled 14 straight overs from one end, with help from Clarke and with Siddle the only quick to put in serious time. Hilfenhaus wasn’t sighted and Johnson largely rested. The plan, if there was a plan, must have been to save the cavalry for a charge in the late afternoon.
The batsmen’s progress was steady and untroubled. And because England managed to accelerate their scoring late in the fourth hour, Australia’s attempt at containment failed. In rapid succession just before tea, KP brought up his 50, the hundred partnership was posted and Collingwood achieved his half century. They went to tea at 3-194, having scored 97 runs in the session. A platform had been set for an afternoon assault.
After tea, Australia looked fair dinkum again as Hilfenhaus and Siddle opened up in tandem. The plan must have kicked in. It was risky business though, for by this time both batters were seeing it like footballs.
Then, relief. Hilfenhaus got the breakthrough as Collingwood (with a complete absence of footwork) edged a good outswinger to Haddin (who actually managed to hold on to one) to be out for 64. The partnership had yielded 138 runs.
As if depressed at the loss of his partner, Pietersen’s batting suddenly slumped. He stops using his feet and then is dropped by Clarke at short cover – a hard, low chance. Shortly after, he’s out anyway for 69, popping up a catch to Katich at short leg trying to sweep a ball from Hauritz pitched two feet outside off stump. This was an arrogant and terrible shot that handed the initiative back to Australia. In the fifth hour Australia had taken 2-50.
After drinks the next mood swing of the afternoon occurred as Prior and Flintoff played crowd-pleasing cameos and compiled a breezy partnership of 86 in even time. Finally, both were bowled by Siddle, playing on in similar fashion, in the 87th and 89th overs – just reward for his hard toil all day.
With four wickets in the final session, the Australian team may claim some vindication for their tactics of keeping forces in reserve. Admittedly, there was reverse swing late in the day that may not have been on offer earlier. But the match situation, 7-336 at the end of a first day, with a pitch that looks as if it will get lower and lower, appears to be in England’s favour. Australia may need to score 500 in their first innings to be in with a chance.
One of the day’s highlights was the magnificent Welsh singing pre-match and in the adjournments. At tea we were treated to ex X Factor performer Rhidian, resplendent in silver suit and peroxide hair. His eclectic set comprised the hymn Bread of Heaven, then Delilah and Bowie’s Heroes. We thought he was great, but the crowd booed him. I asked a local clad in a rugby jumper why that happened and he explained it was because he was “a poofter with a good voice”. It was that sort of crowd.
