Australia vs England - Fifth Test - Day 1 & 2

So, after 2 days, we have a fairly evenly poised match. England, collapsing all too predicatbly in the first innings, losing their last 5 wickets for just over 50 runs. Australia now, similarly set at the end of day two, to England at the end of day 1. I'd rather have Hussey in than Collingwood though, and Australia's tail than England's - but there is a certain "pep in the step" of England. They seem a little more determined to at least inflect something in the form of damage on these Aussies - maybe Langer, McGrath and Warne (and maybe some others) losing their last test is just enough motivation for a down and almost out English side. Who knows? Who would be game to predict anything.

It is probably stating the obvious but just about anything could happen yet. It seems a result one way or the other is more likely than a draw given the low first innings total, but with Hussey and Symonds in and Gilchrist to come Australia could yet make 500 - of course, they could also quite conceivably trail on the first innings too, not that that may matter either. Who could say anything confidently really? I would add though, that a run chase by Australia on day 4 and 5 will be somewhat harder in Sydney with Panesar in the side, than Adelaide without him - The POMS will know that and therefore be despearate for early wickets, hopefully Hussey and Symonds have thought of this two, and play them out of the game in the first two session tomorrow. They are the sessions that will set up this match.

If England can get two wickets in the first session tomorrow, it's game on - if not, it could just be slipping away. I am no longer willing to say there is anything that can happen, that will put the Aussies out of the match just yet ;-)

Labels: ashes, ashes 2006, australia, england, hussey, panesar, scg, sydney