Australia's Late Show Turns Things Their Way

In the lead up to this years Ashes Series, plenty of the talk was about how closely contested these two sides would be, and after day one of the first test at Cardiff things seem to be going to the script.

England won the all-important toss and rightly chose to bat, a decision that despite today’s developments that should make them firm favourites going into the closing days in this opening test match.

The early wickets of Alistair Cook, Andrew Strauss and then Ravi Bopara put the hosts on the back foot, but a stunning partnership between Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood set England back on their way.

However both departed in the 60’s, leaving the batting side five down for 241.

Matt Prior and Andrew Flintoff then upped the rate for England with some super hitting, with Prior reaching his half-century at almost a run-a-ball.

Flintoff, who was looking back to his best played on off Peter Siddle for 37, and with nine balls in the day remaining Siddle did for the wicket-keeper as well.

Night-watchman James Anderson and Stuart Broad closed the day out with England on 336-7.

Both sides will be happy with their days work, but two late wickets for the workmanlike Siddle may have swung the momentum back in the tourists direction.

Ironically enough swing was not the dominant force that captain Ricky Ponting would have hoped after losing the toss, but Mitchell Johnson showed that he was no one-trick pony as his variation of pace did for both Strauss and Bopara.

However after bowling just 18 overs in the day, question marks have to be raised about his overall fitness.

Ben Hilfenhaus was the impressive seamer with the ball today, finishing with 2 for 61 from his 23 overs.

Nathan Hauritz struggled overall, but seduced Pietersen into a wide-sweep that pitched far too wide for the number four to even contemplate, or so it seemed, as the ball skewed up to Simon Katich at short leg.

Is was a poor way for Pietersen to get out, but with the nature of the talented batsman's game dismissals like this are bound to occur.

Australia did look a little still and quiet in the field during when Pietersen and Collingwood were at the crease, and looked clueless when trying to dismiss the middle-order batsman who contributed to their own downfall when they were eventually sent back to the pavilion.

England will certainly take plenty of positives from the day however, with over 300 on the board and consistent if not spectacular scores right through the order, and of course two spinners in the locker.

But you have to say that Australia will be the happier of the two sides after day one, with seven wickets falling and England’s tail fully exposed.