Ashes Additions

Scott Borthwick and James Tredwell have been called up by England into their Ashes squad following the departure of Graeme Swann due to his sudden retirement.

Borthwick could potentially pick up his first Test cap on Boxing Day but the odds are much more in Monty Panesar's favour to replace Swann for the four Test in this Ashes series.

The Durham CCC left-handed batsman and leg-break bowler was highlighted by Graeme Swann in an interview. He spoke of the 23-year-old becoming a future England Test cricket all-rounder; "Personally, I hope little Scotty Borthwick gets the chance before long. He's a leg-spinner, he's got a bit of X-factor and he can bat as well."

Borthwick has played for England in the One Day format against Ireland in August 2011. He scored 15 runs in the match, and was taken for 13 runs in the single over bowled. 

Tredwell doesn't arrive in time to play in the Test starting Boxing Day but with two spinners likely to feature in the Sydney test he stands a chance of taking his second cap for his country. Even if he doesn't play in Sydney he will be playing against Australia in the ODI series in the middle of January.



Ball on Willow. 

Swanny Calls It Quits

England off-spinner bowler Graeme Swann has made a shock announcement this evening. The Nottinghamshire cricketer is retiring from all forms of the game, with immediate effect. So what does this means for England? It cannot affect the outcome of the Ashes but could it be a factor in deciding if this series Down Under is a whitewash or not. 

The 34-year-old played in 60 tests for his country, taking 255 wickets and averaging 23.40 runs an innings. 

Swanny will not play in the final two Tests of the Ashes series already underway but he has been one of the senior players who have been a disappointment in making an impact in the first three Tests, taking only seven wickets. 

Swann spoke out about his retirement; "I came to Australia in the hope of winning our fourth Ashes series on the trot but that's now impossible, so it's time for someone else to buckle in and enjoy the ride. I could have made myself available for the last two Tests and maybe had a bit of a send-off from the Barmy Army. But that's no reason to hang on for two more games. I like to be the centre of attention - but for the right reason by winning games of cricket."

Graeme Swann has not ruled out the possibility of playing in the IPL but as far as we know he has retired from Nottinghamshire and all forms of the game for England; Test appearances, ODIs and T20 international games. 

That's all for now.

Ball on Willow.

County Cricket News: Durham

DURHAM

Jon Lewis has been appointed the new coach after stepping up temporarily from the 2nd's when then coach Geoff Cook was left in critical condition following a heart attack back in June of this year.

Jon Lewis previously represented Essex and Durham, captaining both teams towards the end of his time at each county.The right-handed batsman achieved 205 first-class matches averaging 31.92 - his highest score of 210. He retired in 2006 and transitioned into coaching the academy at Durham and then the second squad.

Lewis helped Cook lead Durham to their third County Championship title last season.

Geoff Cook has worked at Durham since they have been a part of the County Championships in 1991. He has returned this season to an old role: overseeing the club's academy. He spoke about his return; "I feel absolutely, 100% fine and now I'm looking forward to getting back into cricket. Obviously what happened came as a real shock to my family. But cricket's in my blood and I'm planning for next year."

Lewis spoke about his new job title, saying; "I'm delighted to continue in this role and excited to keep giving our homegrown players an opportunity to shine. Having been second XI coach for many years I have worked with a lot of them and I'm hopeful of developing a good partnership alongside Paul Collingwood."
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Ball on Willow.

County Cricket News: Derbyshire

Most of the cricket news you've been seeing lately is centred around the Ashes (and us having to hand it back over to the Aussie's after 4 years possession).

So I thought I'd pull away from the norm and take a look at what county cricket is up to. As much as I would love to write about Middlesex all day long and how amazing they are, I thought I would be fair and do this alphabetically...leaving me to realise there are no A B or C counties in professional cricket...just in case you were interested.

DERBYSHIRE

Derbyshire are having a management reshuffle and told their current head coach Karl Krikken he will have to reapply for his own job. Tough times Karl!

The county club are restructuring after being relegated from Division One of the Championship last season. But it's not just Krikken, all coaching staff will have to reapply for their current positions at the club if they want to stay there. The club are also considering external applicants.

Chris Grant, Derbyshire Chairman, commented on the restructure; "We are very excited by our new structure. Reinforcing a culture of high performance across the club is essential if we are to fulfil our ambitions on the field; a learning that came through loud and clear from our experience in Division One last season. We are confident that these changes to our cricket model will enhance our chances of success in the years to come across all three domestic competition."
____________

Scott Elstone was released from Nottinghamshire CCC after the 2011-12 season ended. The right-handed batsman made his debut for Nottinghamshire's 1st XI in the CB40 game against Scotland  The Staffordshire-born right arm off break bowler also captained Nott's 2nd XI for two years, before September 2012 when it was announced his contract would not be renewed.

Elstone has been used as a substitute fielder for England several times. On August 1st 2011 Scott Elstone became the second youngest substitute fielder to take a catch during a match for England on home soil.

Elstone has also played for the Unicorns in the YB40 hitting his highest ever score of 75*. The 23-year-old played for Derbyshire's 2nd XI last summer averaging 35.83 runs a game. Derbyshire have offered Scott a one-year extension contract after his great summer for the seconds.
____________

Coming out of the academy with a summer contract this year includes Greg Cork, son of former England all-rounder Dominic Cork. Another youth to receive a contract for the 2014 season is Jonathan Marsden. Derbyshire have surprised everyone and also offered a contract to Ben Slater who looked highly unlikely to continue with the county squad at the end of the season in September.

Elstone and Cork are two players coming into the county side, two players leaving the club this year are Scottish cricketer Alasdair Evans and Dan Redfern who made his debut for Derbyshire aged only 16 in a NatWest Pro40 League match.
____________

Former West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul will be Derbyshire's overseas player for the 2013 and 2014 season with South African all-rounder Albie Morkel joining him in 2013 for the season.

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Ball on Willow.

India Push On

Virat Kohi scored 119 runs in the newly empty number four position in India's batting line up, left so by the recently retired cricketing legend: Sachin Tendulkar.

The all-rounder's knock of 119 came as a big relief when India's opening batsmen failed to make an impression when dismissed for 6 & 13.

Day one in Johannesburg left the visitors in South Africa on 255-5.

Newbie Ajinkya Rahane helped lift the score and the spirits as he hit an unbeaten 43 in his second Test match for India.


Ball on Willow.

Flower's Future

Andy Flower spoke out about his future with the England squad in a press conference this morning. He insists, "There are still many things to play for in this Ashes series."

Flower refused to commit to a future with England, saying; "I've never looked that far ahead, personally. Obviously my role means that I have to plan ahead for the team's sake. Personally I don't like looking too far ahead and quite frankly there are two test matches still to play in this series and I want all my focus to be on those two test matches. I think that's the right thing to do for the England cricket side."

Andy Flower was given the permanent position of team director in 2009 after he was the interim team director for the Caribbean tour in April when Peter Moores was removed at the beginning of that year. Since then, England won the Ashes for the first time since the 1986-7 series and two more wins consecutively after that.

Geoffrey Boycott summarised the situation by saying; "Some of our coaching staff should have a serious look at themselves because we are on the down and Australia are on the up. Australia have had more energy, and looked up for the challenge. They have plotted and planned better...We should be thinking and planning for 2015. Is our coach up for it?"

Ouch!


Ball on Willow.

The Ashes: Test Three Reactions

Plenty of reaction from both sides at the Waca after Australia win back the urn after four years apart from it. 

Man of the Match Steve Smith; "I've been a part of two Ashes now but to bring the urn back is very special. The boys have told me this is one of the best places to bat once you get in so I was pleased to cash in."

Glenn McGrath Ex-Australian fast bowler; "England showed a bit more fight in the second innings, led by Ben Stokes. He showed he has arrived in Test cricket and this stage is not beyond him. There are a lot of negatives but with Carberry, Root and especially Stokes there are some positives. Mitchell Johnson produced some hostile, in-your-face bowling and he has been the stand-out difference in this series."

Australia pacebowler Ryan Harris; "They are coming home. They are home. We have worked so hard for this. We played well in England but didn't get them. We played well in England but didn't manage it, but we needed to make sure we did it here. We wanted this so bad. It's emotional."

Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson; "I was a bit nervous for a while there but we came out after lunch and gave it everything. To finally win the Ashes is very special. It was pretty hard running in to keep my emotions in check. It's an unbelievable feeling. I came back from injury and had a lot of doubters, but I've come back and taken my chance. We are a real unit and everyone has worked hard for this."

Ex-England batsman Geoffrey Boycott; "This is a possible 5-0 now. Sometimes you can turn it around a bit but I see too many problems in the England side. England can't make enough runs to win matches. Look at Prior's dismissal this morning - it was a wide ball which didn't move and he showed no footwork and edged behind. Australia have planned well for players like Cook and Pietersen with their bowling and field placings. It's the same management team which weren't winning but they have managed to pick the players up. This is where the England coaches earn their money, when things are not going well...On paper, there is nothing to choose between the teams but one has got it significantly right in performance and planning. The other has cocked it up big time."

Australian captain Michael Clarke commented on his team's performance; ""What an amazing performance, not just today but throughout the first three Test matches. The boys deserve all the credit in the world and as Hadds just said to me "we've got them back". Look at the crowd and the support - it has been outstanding both at the venues and on TV. Credit to the players - the way they have stood tall has been outstanding. It was a tough night's sleep last night. Ben Stokes deserves a lot of credit to make a tough hundred. We've got two more Test matches, we'd love to win 5-0 in this series."

England's captain Alaistair Cook; "It's a tough dressing room to be in at the moment. We haven't been good enough and Australia have outplayed us. In sport you go out there and put yourself on the line. We have been found out, we haven't been good enough - we have been outskilled in all aspects. Our preparation has been fine throughout, that's not let us down. Our skills and a lack of people in form has cost us. They have just outplayed us and made their advantage count. Whenever they needed a partnership they got one. When we got one going, we gave a wicket away. We have left everything out there but came out short. We have not scored enough runs, simple as that. There is balance between risk and reward and our shot selection has let us down and we've been punished for it. It was a fantastic hundred by Ben Stokes, he struck the ball well and showed real calmness and intent. It was very special in the circumstances. He's a huge talent and we need to try and make sure we get the best out of him. It's too early to say what we will do with the side. There are always calls for change when you lose. We have got the players to win at Melbourne, we just have to deliver."

Ex-England captain Michael Vaughn; "It's too early to say what we will do with the side. There are always calls for change when you lose. We have got the players to win at Melbourne, we just have to deliver. The England players are all having a bit of lunch and they will be looking out of the window and hurting. The cameras are in the Australian dressing room and they will be singing their winning song. Well done to Australia. Australia have won by miles. From the minute they arrived at Gabba, it was a different Australia. They were going to make life difficult for England and the press joined in. England lost the three tosses but if I hear that as an excuse I will not be very happy. They have been completely outplayed in each facet of the game and you have to hold your hands up to Australia. The first innings scores are there to set the foundation for the game, you are not getting close to drawing let alone winning test matches with the scores England have got. England have been battered. It has been quite embarrassing."

And on that positive note...

Ball on Willow.

Perth- Day Five: How it happened...

With Broad's batting ability unknown, the cracks on the Waca pitch taking over and Australia needing just five wickets from the day's play- not a a lot of hope hung in the air. At least not for the Barmy Army, who outnumber the locals at the Waca on day five. Do Australian's not know today could decide who walks away from this series with the urn? Or do they just think today will be a repeat of day five in Adelaide. 

With the new ball due in 13 overs, Stokes and Prior made their way on to the fields to begin their chase again of 504.

Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris open the bowling. Johnson starts off with an animated maiden over to Durham county cricketer Ben Stokes. 

Cracks in the pitch begin to cause problems for the batsmen but Ben Stokes pushes on to 80. Ex-England captain Michael Vaughn said; "If you can get a Test century this early in your career you are off to a flyer. It would be a great thing for English cricket going forward if Ben Stokes reached three figures."

Tom Fordyce, Chief sports writer at the Waca, commented on the state of the pitch; "The canyons in the pitch - the Waca crackers - are now so wide that it poses the question: has a delivery in test cricket ever disappeared into the pitch on bouncing? And if so, what is the protocol for how a batsman is allowed to play it?"

Law 24.8

If a ball delivered by the bowler comes to rest in front of the line of the striker's wicket, without having previously touched the bat, or person of the striker, the umpire shall call and signal No ball and immediately call and signal Dead ball.

See, you learn something new everyday!

Back to the game...

A cherry-red ball replaces the old when England were 280-5 and 76 overs left in this Ashes test. 

Matt Prior takes a couple boundaries to take England to 292-5. Mitchell Johnson attempting to save the second four, from Prior in the over, crossing the ropes almost cause himself an injury going over on his knee. But he's clearly okay as shortly after his slide he takes Prior with the help of a nick behind and Haddin's safe gloves. Prior's dismissed on 26. England 296-6. Bresnan's in. 

Ben Stokes is two runs short of his maiden Test century when he plays three pull shots, bringing up the triple figures. 16 fours, 159 balls, 106*. Stokes replaces Ian Bell as the last England number six batsman to score a century. 

Michael Vaughn said; "What a moment, his first Test century in his second match, at the Waca against an attack that has bowled with hostility throughout. It's a fantastic achievement from a young player. England have certainly found one here."

Stokes calmly raising his bat acknowledging the loud crowds. Not the way I'd celebrate my first Test century! Very calm and collected for a young batsman hitting such an incredible milestone. A proud moment for England in this series, maybe the best one. 

Not content with his maiden Test century in only his second match, Stokes hits Lyon straight back down the ground for six. A single for both himself and Bresnan puts him back on strike allowing him to smash another boundary over mid-on for four. The Barmy Army are on their feet, with no signs of slowing, sitting or silencing anytime soon.

LUNCH: England 332-6. 

Stokes has gone. Is that it? Is the Ashes all over? Lyon with the glory. England 336-7. 

Swann and Bresnan spend barely anytime together at the crease when the combination of Lyon and Smith take out Swann for four runs. England 347-8. 

England are collapsing...again. 

Broad arrives to a crowd of loud boos with a strapped boot. Clarke pushes everyone to the boundary to tempt a single but Broad doesn't play ball. 

Johnson plays a slower ball to Bresnan who plays it high to mid-off where Rogers dives to take a great catch. He goes for 12, England 349-9 with one wicket remaining. Anderson and Broad, the last two standing. 

Lyon bowls to Anderson and after four dot balls there are two singles, leaving Broad on strike to face Johnson in the next over. 

Anderson hits a ball from Johnson to George Bailey who takes the catch at short leg - a catch he will remember forever.

England 353ao. 

THE URN RETURNS is displayed on the big screen at the Waca in Perth. Pop the champagne Aussie's, you've just won the Ashes. Steve Smith is Man of the Match. 

That's Ball on Willow. 

Australia Attain Ashes

5 wickets and Australia reclaim the Ashes after four years. 

253 runs and there is still hope for England in this Ashes series.

5 wickets and there is no way back for England, no light at the end of the tunnel.

253 runs gives England a chance to save the series, save their dignity.

Unfortunately 5 wickets found their way onto the scoreboard before enough runs did. Ben Stokes being the only stand out performance for England throughout the entire Test with his first Test century in the second Test match of his Ashes debut.

Andrew Strauss blames the way England have been "cruising" recently. We have become cocky and complacent in the last few years and 3-0 down in the series after 3 Test matches is a humiliating we shouldn't be facing. Changes MUST be made before it all starts again in Melbourne. Pietersen, Anderson and Swann are just three of the more senior players on this tour who have not delivered on the field with bat or ball.

And with serious competitions like the ICC World Twenty20 next year and tours away to the West Indies in March and at home facing India in a series of Test matches and ODIs, England have far greater challenges ahead than an away Ashes series. Ex-England batsman Ed Smith commented on this; "One of the challenges for Australia, and England in the future, is to make sure that they don't get suckered into thinking the pinnacle is winning the Ashes."

Can England recover from a crushing defeat?

Will it be a whitewash?

Ball on Willow.

Australia With the Lead

England were 180-4 when they began clawing their way back against Australia's 385 1st innings total and hoping to put a few runs more than that on the board.

Bell, 15*, and Stokes, 14*, had a monumental task ahead of themselves and the muggy morning conditions meant to wicket wasn't going to play in their favour with a little spin or uneven bounce from the cracks likely to be the order of the day.

Resuming on 180-4 with the ball 68 overs old there is a big appeal early on against Ian Bell. It looks like the ball is bouncing over but Harris, Clarke and Haddin agree to review it since they get their two reviews back at the 80 over mark. The tactical review has landed Australia a surprise wicket and Bell goes for 15. England 190-5.

Johnson takes Stokes on a loose drive shot and Brad Haddin takes the catch. Stokes walks off with 18 to his name. England spiralling now on 198-6.

Prior and Bresnan the two in, but not for long as Siddle gets his man - again. Prior is dismissed for 8 and that's 11 times he's taken Prior now. Broad is in to bat.

Johnson takes Broad out at 90mph (quite literally- read on to find out!) with a yorker. He's gone for 5. England 233-8.

Bresnan goes shortly after on 21, leaving England on 233-9. That spiralling I spoke about earlier - now complete destruction of England's lower order!

Swann and Anderson in.

Appeal from the Aussie's against Swann. Haddin stayed quiet but Clarke appeals it anyway. All pad, no bat, no LBW. Waste. Shocking review choice shows Clarke's desperation to end England's innings as soon as he possibly can.

Swann injures his spinning hand and gets some treatment but he's okay to continue.

It's Siddle who takes the final wicket and it's Anderson who's caught by George Bailey on 2.

England all out for 251.

Yet another collapse has left England behind by 134 runs.

LUNCH

England had to wipe their minds of the collapse and go back out into the searing heat for the rest of the afternoon. Hopefully bowling Austrlaia out as cheaply as they possibly can.

Rogers and Warner head out after a slightly early lunch, hoping to build on the lead Australia already have.

Anderson and Bresnan opening the bowling. Broad has been replaced in the field by Bairstow, worries over his foot as he hobbled through his fitness test in the nets.

Warner can't take the heat from Prior and England crowd round the batsman trying to diffuse the tension. Warner can dish it out but clearly can't take it. Afraid that's not how it works David.

DROPPED CATCH from Matt Prior and Warner survives on 13*.

Great fun out here today if you're an Australian as the boundaries come thick and fast. 67-0 after 17 overs, eventually bringing up the 50 for Warner. Bet Prior's regretting that drop right about now!

DROPPED CATCH again, this time from Cook at first slip as he leaves it a fraction too late diving for the ball.

Tea: Australia 123-0 (lead 257).

Warner resuming on 81* and Rogers on 42*.

Still no Broad as we're told the x-Ray showed something but it was inconclusive. An MRI has been done and the results sent off to England. No cast for the Nottinghamshire bowler so not all hope is lost.

Rogers reaches his fourth half century in 9 test matches.

Matt Prior MISSED STUMPING and he's not having a great day. Australia 147-0.

England finally get a breakthrough with Bresnan and Carberry taking out Rogers on 54. Australia on 157-1.

Warner gets his fifth century of his test match career. He hits a massive six off Swann, tries the same shot a second time but doesn't get it quite right, Stokes holds on to that one rather tightly. He goes for 112. Australia 180-2.

Watson and Clarke together bring up the 200 for Australia.

Stokes probably takes the most memorable wicket of his test career as he bowls the Aussie captain Clarke out for 23. Australia 223-3. The ball bouncing back towards the batsman ever so slightly, Michael Clarke walks off shaking his head.

235-3 and Cook uses up a review since he'll be getting back two more at the 80 over mark, similar to what Clarke did last innings.

And that's it. Close of play: Australia on 235-3 (lead of 369).


Ball on Willow.

Aussie's Recover But Brits Don't Back Down

Both captains join Kevin Pietersen in the illustrious 100 club because of this test.

Australia are an unchanged side as they head to Perth to start the third Test of this Ashes series. England replace Monty Panesar with Tim Bresnan. 3 days between tests and a change in time zones, what's going to happen? This Ashes series could all be decided in the next 5 days...

Australia win the toss - who could have predicted that? 3/3 and England not off to the start they would have wanted.

Australia begin with a strong start but 13-0 with Broad bowling his last ball of the second over saw Anderson produce a direct hit to the stumps. Rogers is on his way for 11. Exactly what England needed to boost their confidence. Australia 13-1.

A change in the bowling sees Bresnan come into the fold with Anderson at the other end. But it's when Broad comes back into the attack that Watson nicks one to Swann in the slips and walks off with 18 runs to his name. Australia 52-2.

In-form Aussie captain Michael Clarke takes to the crease at The Waca and wobbles on 7 runs with an inside edge hit onto his pads but away from the stumps as it lands. Unfortunate for England as the tap for boundaries seems to suddenly start rapidly flowing.

Swann takes two balls as Clarke goes on the attack against the right-arm off-break spin bowler, and England have a massive wicket. Clarke walks back to the dressing room with 24 runs to his name. Australia 106-3.

Lunch: Australia 107-3.

A single brings a very quick fifty up for David Warner straight after lunch - 50 in 57 balls. England need to take care of their Warner-shaped problem pronto!

Smith takes 16 balls to get off the mark but when he does it's with a six straight down the ground off Graeme Swann.

Carberry is in the same fielding position as he was when he dropped Haddin in Adelaide but holds onto this one off Swanny's bowling. It's Warner who England have taken care of and he's gone for 60. Australia 129-4.

Two bouncers from Broad at George Bailey are too high to play but as the third comes a little lower Bailey opts to pull this one to Pietersen who somehow manages to manouver himself under it to take the catch. Bailey's gone for 7. Australia on 143-5.

England, ball is in your court. Can you keep this up?

Brad Haddin certainly rode a short wave of good fortune off an over from Broad as there are three chances where he could have been walking off the square; hitting it high between fielders and the ball luckily dropping short and an inside edge missing the stumps.

Smith acknowledges his 50 as Haddin struggles to find a rhythm at the beginning of his innings. Haddin looked to be more in the swing of things as Australia ticked over the 200 mark, Smith having hit a few fours and sixes along the way.

Tea is called, the bails taken off the stumps and with the partnership at 77, Australia look to be taking a little of England's control back on 220-5.

Tea: Australia 220-5.

After tea the 100 partnership appears and so do a couple of sixes. Brad Haddin's 15th Test fifty in 52 test matches comes next.

Stokes has been bowling aggressively with no success but as Anderson takes the catch, Haddin is dismissed for 55. Massive wicket for England! Haddin has been a huge thorn in England's side this series.

Australia 267-6.

Smith yells in celebration, shortly after Johnson joins him, jumping and punching the air for his 2nd Test century. Johnson ticks over his run rate nicely with six 4s, ending his day on 39*.

Close of play: Australia 326-6.

England showed great control for the first two sessions but too many boundaries were scored Australia clawed back a little of the control to gain the upper hand going in to day two.

England have not scored 400 in an innings here at The Waca in their last seven Test matches so they need a few cheap wickets early in the first session tomorrow.

England need a shining light in their bowling line up (batting too - but we'll get there later).

Who will it be?

02:30GMT Saturday you'll find out if and who.


And that's Ball on Willow.

England Women's Ashes

Will the far superior gender (said with no bias whatsoever!) be more successful at retaining the Ashes than the men seem to be having at the moment?

Anya Shrubsole, Katherine Brunt and Heather Knight are the veteran trio that have been named in the England Women's Ashes squad for the series Down Under.

All three are returning from injury, having missed the recent West Indies tour in October & November this year.

Let's see how it goes!


Ball on Willow.

Lumb Sticks By Nottinghamshire

Michael Lumb has ruled out the chance of playing again in the IPL as he secures a new contract at Nottinghamshire to see him play there for the next three years.

The England opening batsman in the Twenty20 form of the game said, "I've played in the ILP and feel I've ticked that off my list. Now I want to win more at Nottinghamshire."

Lumb will join England's t20 squad at the end of January next year after he's played for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash.

Kevin Pietersen, James Anderson and Graeme Swann won't be joining him as England coach Andy Flower confirmed they will rest the trio in all limited overs games Down Under; "they are prize assets, we need to look after them."

Broad will captain the t20 squad with hopefully more success than England have had in this Ashes series so far.


Ball on Willow.

England Annihilated

Are the Ashes already over?

Day five of the second Test in Adelaide, England had one aim: survive.

After day four left the visitors on 247-6, it seemed unlikely that England would end the second test anything other than 2-0 down in the series. Unlikely, but not completely impossible.

Broad and Prior took centre stage this morning, with sports fans halfway around the world hoping for dull, methodical, wicket-less sessions.

They got none of those things.

The first over was given to Peter Siddle. Singles to start, a six hit by Broad flat over deep mid-wicket but then Broad tries to play the same shot again and it's Lyon with the catch. Broad is out for 29 and England still need 533 runs to win this match.

One wicket down, three to go...

Prior gets his 50 and England manage to lose no wickets to a bowling spell by Mitchell Johnson but Harris comes into the attack and Swann gives the slips a little reflex practice as he hits one straight to the Aussie captain at second slip.

Two down, two to go...

Siddle is back at the River End and works his magic once again taking Prior this time on 69. Prior entertained the crowd for a little bit as we close in on the hour mark but that's not what England needed!

Three down, one to go...

Monty comes to join Anderson for the last 81 overs of the day. 

Anderson is hit in the ribs and the armpit as Australia set their field with three slips, a gully, a short cover, leg slip, leg gully, a forward and backward short leg. Still, a couple fours in that over.

But Panesar goes for a duck and Australia take the series to 2-0. England unable to last the first 60 minutes out there.

Any hope for England in Perth?

Will this series be a whitewash?

Where's our team from this previous Ashes summer?!

That's Ball on Willow.

Brits Bulldozed

Can England dig themselves out of the dire situation they've found themselves in once again?

England began day three on 35-1, Carberry and Root hoping to generously contribute to a score not completely laughable next to Australia's 570-9 d. However Root doesn't last the first hour as Lyon gets him out on 15, Rogers taking the catch. England 57-2.

Pietersen into the attack now and right away Australia call for a nick behind, but a flatline on the snickometer saves KP. For only a little longer unfortunately as Siddle gets his man quite cheaply for 4 runs. England 66-3.

Bell replaces KP to keep Carberry company and skips down the wicket to hit Lyon for six over long-off.

England aren't looking in great shape as Watson and Warner team up to take out Carberry. He goes on 60 leaving England 111-4.

The lunch interval sees Bell and Stokes return to the dressing rooms on 29* and 0* respectively. England 116-4.

England are surely wishing lunch was longer as Stokes, Prior and Broad are dismissed by Johnson in a triple-wicket maiden over with two in the last two balls to leave him on a hattrick. Disaster!

Stokes lbw Johnson 1
Prior c Haddin b Johnson 0
Broad b Johnson 0 (golden duck)

England plod along to 131-7, trailing Australia's first innings total by 439 runs.

Johnson takes Swann for 7 (England's 6th single figure total this innings) and that gives him his five-wicket haul. Match ball for him! England 135-8.

But the bulldozer that is Mitchell Johnson isn't done with England's batting order just yet. This time it's Anderson who walks off with England's second golden duck of the match. Johnson can do no wrong! England 135-9.

A big appeal comes straight after a drinks break and Australia review the on-field umpire's not out decision. It's a touch too high and Bell survives.

Ian Bell makes 50 and hits a four and a six afterwards for good measure.

Australia drop Monty as England are 161-9 and it's the Aussie captain unable to secure the ball in his hands as it bounces off his stomach.

Lyon continues his bowling spell and Bell hits him for another six.

But Johnson eventually comes back into the bowling and takes only two balls to get England all out for 172.

Monty Panesar b Johnson 2 (England 172ao).

We wait during tea to see who will bat in the final session of the day. And it's Australia who walk out in pads - planning on ear playing further humiliation on England.

James Anderson takes the new ball and Chris Rogers pushes Australia's lead to 400 almost straight away.

Anderson spills Australian blood very early on and it's Rogers who leaves for just 2 after he nicks one into the safe gloves of Prior. Anderson and England fans should feel encouraged by the away swing that brought about the Rogers wicket. Australia 4-1.

Anderson strikes again. This time it's Shane Watson. Australia 4-2.

Warner puts an end to the 19 consecutive dot balls by running three and then smacking a six off Graeme Swann.

The Aussie captain loses his off-stump to Panesar and leaves the Adelaide pitch with 22 runs to his name. Australia 65-3, leading by 463.

Anderson replaces Swann after the drinks break and thinks he's got Smith. The batsman plays no shot and the ball hits his pads, umpire says out and Smith's quick to review it. Unlucky for England the decision gets overturned as the ball is seen to be completely missing off-stump.

Panesar back now trying to break this growing partnership with signs that there might be a chance. England shout a big appeal but opt not to review, later seeing the ball missing the stumps. Good call not to waste a review.

Close of play and Australia are 132-3 with a lead of 530 runs.

How long will Australia keep ticking over the seemingly impossible total for England to chase?


Ball on Willow.

Big Battle Ahead for the Brits

The Australian papers whistling a different tune as they criticise someone other than the Brits, condemning the home teams opening day performance. They printed that George Bailey "saved Australia the embarrassment of yet another collective batting failure but it proved more cameo than killer blow." Ouch!

What could they come up with on day 2?

A tribute to the recently deceased Nelson Mandela was held before a ball had been bowled.

England & Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke: "Nelson Mandela was a truly inspirational statesman for many generations of South Africans as well as many peoples around the world. Under his patronage South African sports, including cricket, emerged from the dark shadow of apartheid.

Slightly overcast at the Adelaide Oval, Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin resume play on 48 and 7 respectively.

The fifty is quick to come up for Clarke but shortly after Broad screams a big appeal to the umpire - too high.

It's a close one when Haddin miss hits a ball from Anderson but it was always dropping short of Monty out at long leg.

A horrible one for Ben Stokes as he thinks he's got his man. Brad Haddin edges the ball into Prior's gloves and England believe they've got their break-through! But it wasn't meant to be as a replay shows Stokes delivered a no-ball and Haddin is called back to the crease. One more thing not going England's way...

Michael Clarke reaches 100 and that brings us up to lunch.

The afternoon session quickly brought up the 400 for Australia with a boundary and the 150-partnership followed with Australia only 5 wickets down.

457-5 and yet another 6 at the hands of the Aussies brings up the 200 partnership breaking their own records as the highest standing 6th wicket partnership for Australia in test cricket and anyone else in this ground.

First ball for Ben Stokes in a new over and his maiden Test wicket finally materialises. It's Jimmy Anderson with the quick hands and Michael Clarke walks off for 148 leaving Australia on 457-6.

Mitchell Johnson comes in to replace Clarke and leaves again shortly after for just 5 runs as Broad takes a catch out at mid-on off Swann's bowling. Australia 474-7.

As Siddle comes in he gets just two runs before Haddin reaches his century. Siddle then returns to the strikers end, only to nick the ball behind to Prior - and that's Stokes's second wicket of the day. Australia 483-8.

Harris comes in and hits a six to bring up the 500 for Australia and ends the same over with another dorothy!

England use up a review as the third umpire gives the original decision the benefit of the doubt as it is too hard to tell if it was bat before pad or not.

Tea: 516-8. Australia very much in control of this second test. Maybe the pitch is just a 500 run pitch? Will Clarke declare and put them in to bat so we can find out? Not yet.

The Evening Session sees Matt Prior diving forward to collect a bottom edge nick off of Harris and he's finally gone for 118. Australia 529-9. Time to declare? It seems not as number 11, Lyon steps up to the crease.

Harris is hitting boundaries all over the pitch and reaches his half-century, leaving Clarke to finally declare on 570-9. It's their highest total at Adelaide against England and an incredible Ashes record-breaking total of 11 sixes in one innings.

The visitors with a lot of work to do!

Cook and Carberry step out to face Johnson and Carberry is off the mark with a boundary on his second ball, Cook takes 3 but nothing further as the England captain fails again to come up with a big score - bowled by Johnson and England are 9-1.

The crowd loving this.

Joe Root in at the much talked about number 3 slot.

Lyon in to bowl and finding there to be a lot of movement leading to a few close calls for Carberry. Finally pushing through, Carberry hits two boundaries off Lyon which will help his confidence against the Aussie spinner.

Last two balls of the day and Root could have run Carberry out on the penultimate one! And had Clarke reviewed their appeal on the last ball, Carberry would not have been walking back out tomorrow morning. Two close calls for Carberry!

England need a few big scores from their batting line up. Will they do it? Who will come through for the Brits?

And that's Ball on Willow.

England Come Back Fighting

England take on Australia in Adelaide, desperate to leave with a win at the end of the 5 day Test match - drawing the series at 1-1.

England captains have an appalling record with the coin toss and today was no different. Cooke lost and Australia chose to bat first.

Anderson and Broad opened the bowling, showing little to no swing and very little pace - the ball was unlikely to be flying over the wicket like in The Gabba leaving room for more chances of LBW.

First boundary came with Warner off Anderson, but next ball had a huge LBW appeal but no finger is raised and no review is used - it would have been wasted since the ball was pitches outside the line.

Broad again takes the first wicket for England and Carberry is the one with the catch as Warner goes for 29. Australia 34-1.

RAIN STOPS PLAY as it becomes just a bit too heavy. 20 minutes later they're back in play and a few boundaries are hit off Stuart Broad's bowling.

The afternoon session saw a lot of runs and few chances of a wicket until Monty Panesar got one that looked very close. It was seen on hawk-eye to be clipping the stumps but not enough to overturn the original decision from the umpire of not out.

105-1 is reached by a long 6 bouncing just after the ropes and Panesar isn't looking too dominating.

142-1 and England look no closer to securing a wicket until Shane Watson is c&b by Anderson leaving the pitch on 51. Rogers goes shortly after on 72 by Swann. Clarke comes in and on 0 has a possible nick behind but no review from England but suddenly England look a little more in control of this game.

Panesar gets Smith as he hits the top of off stump and Australia are 174-4.

The evening session saw five big appeals from England as well as three dropped catches and a run out opportunity of the Australian captain, Michael Clarke.

Monty has a c&b opportunity as Bailey hits it straight to hit but low nothing comes of it. The second opportunity comes from Clarke this time, bowled by Swann but Joe Root at mid-wicket can't keep hold of it.

Three sixes in total for George Bailey as he reaches his maiden Test half-century.

England not looking too sharp until Broad finally gets his man, Bailey falling into the trap laid out for him. Swann taking a brilliant catch in his right hand, away from his usual slip position. Unfortunately he couldn't follow it up with a second that came to him shortly after, Carberry also given a catch (a rather easy chance by today's standards) but couldn't hold onto it.

That's three dropped in this session alone.

Panesar rounding out the day's bowling leaving Australia on 273-5.


Ball on Willow.

Sledging Round-Up

Australia have vowed sledging silence regarding Jonathan Trott's swift exit from the Ashes series down under. They have promised silence about his condition and will not use it as a sledging topic for the remaining tests in the series.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann has spoken out about the matter saying "That certainly won't be talked about in this Test match. We wish him all the best in his recovery." Lehmann also mentioned that Aussie batsman David Warner has been "dealt with" in regards to his comments made about Trott's opening test performance.

Johnson has also spoken out about comments made on the opening test; "Their coach wants a truce from what I heard. That's not going to change from our end. I think it's worked for us. I definitely think they're rattled by it. They don't like it at all."

As well as Warner's comments, Michael Clarke also used some choice words, this time directed at Jimmy Anderson. Johnson said he was right to stand up to Anderson, "I thought it was really good what Michael did as a captain. That's what you want your captain to do - stand up for you - and that's what he did." The Aussie captain was fined 20% of this match fee for threatening to break Jimmy's arm. Comments that were captured by the stumps mic.

England bowler Stuart Broad is unconcerned by Aussie sledging and has laughed off the pre-series built up bashing that was primarily directed at him, as Aussie papers refused to picture his face or mention his name in print. "It's Ashes cricket, England versus Australia, and there is a lot of passion out there. You come to expect a bit of sledging in Ashes cricket. It's up to the players to take responsibility and make sure it doesn't go too far." Off the sledging that occurred during the first Test match he said "Speaking from a personal point of view, I don't think it was over the top" as Broad was continually booed in the Brisbane stadium.

Jimmy Anderson has even chimed in, calling sledging a skill. "Certainly in the last few years I've developed it as a skill and it has helped me take the wickets I have." He also mentioned the first Ashes Test match sledging saying, "The atmosphere during the last hour in Brisbane was as hostile as I have experienced. I have absolutely no problem about any of what the Australians were doing on the field, I probably dish it out more than most in the field, so I generally get it back more than most. I expect it and accept it."

Well, there you go. Whether it's wrong or right, it doesn't seem to be ending any time soon!

Thursday 5th December 00:00 GMT.


Ball on Willow.

Number 3?

England started their two day tour match against the Chairman's XI, in between the first two Ashes tests, in Alice Springs today.

Ballance put himself as a front runner for the newly available spot in the England Ashes 1st XI with a top-score of 55 as England declared late in the day on 212-7.

Australia closed the first day with 16 for no loss, Cazzulino and Harris putting the runs on the scoreboard for the home side.

The slow pitch in the Northern Territory stadium saw Joe Root open the batting, with Carberry who was dismissed with a catch at mid wicket, suggesting England are preparing the Yorkshire County Cricket occasional off-spinner for the number 3 spot.

My first choice to replace Trott at number 3 would be Ian Bell. But with his first test match stats Down Under standing at; 37 runs across two innings and just one catch to his name - is our summer Ashes hero the right man for the job?

What do you think?


Ball on Willow.

Trott's Timescale

Warwickshire County Cricket team (to be renamed the Birmingham Bears in the 2014 season's T20 Blast tournament) has confirmed there is no return date for England batsman Trott.

Director Dougie Brown spoke out about the situation; "It's all about Trotty getting better. There's no timescale from us and I'm sure there's not from England either".

England coach Andy Flower explains that Jonathan Trott "needs time to reassess" and get some "rest and recuperation" but hopes he "will continue to be a brilliant international batsman for England in the future".

The South-African born batsman flew home, shortly after England lost the first test of the Ashes to Australia by 381 runs, to be reunited with his wife and 3-year-old daughter.

Colin Povey, Warwickshire chief executive, promised to give him "as much support as we can" on his road to recovery from the long-standing stress-related condition that saw the ICC and ECB Cricketer of the Year pull out of the current Ashes series down under.


Ball on Willow.

Broad on Brits Bashing

Stuart Broad isn't fazed by the Ashes sledging that the Aussie squad are serving the Brits. In an interview he said they "train [themselves] to expect that" and how no line has been crossed on the field. Broad did touch on off field verbal behaviour saying; "As an England side we can pride ourselves on how we don't comment on the opposition".

This came after the Australian captain Michael Clarke was docked 20% of his match fee for threatening Jimmy Anderson at the crease in the opening match in Brisbane. Off the pitch, David Warner commented on Jonathan Trott's first test performance; "The way Trotty got out today was pretty poor and weak." before back-tracking slightly, agreeing "he went a bit too far".

Shortly after the decision was made to take Jonathan Trott out of the England squad to focus on his health. Broad said it's "heartbreaking for us to lose Trotty...he's been an integral pat of the side for the last 4 or 5 years...in his 49 tests".

So who's to fill the number 3 spot in England's batting order?

My bet? Ian Bell.

Wishing Trott all the best!

And that's Ball on Willow.

News Update 27/11/13

Ireland qualify for the World t20 after continuing their unbeaten streak with a win against Hong Kong by 85 runs.

Other international cricket news: Scotland will take on Italy after finishing 4th in their group. The playoffs come after they beat Denmark by 75 runs in Dubai.

Gayle has torn his hamstring running for a single against India. He will be out for the rest of the tour.

In county cricket: Trescothick has been confirmed as Somerset captain for the 2014 season. It will be his 21st season playing for their 1st XI, with James Hildreth as vice-captain.


And that's Ball on Willow.

Bresnan's Back

Yorkshire and England batsman Tim Bresnan has returned from injury to score 57 not out after recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back.

The all-rounder helped the England Performance Programme to 376-9 after being put into bat by the Queensland 2nd XI.

Also in the EPP side; Moeen Ali scored 83, keeper Jos Buttler with 54 and Middlesex 1st XI Sam Robson scored an impressive century in Brisbane.


Ball on Willow.

SPOTY Shortlist

The 10 names have been announced and now the speculation begins.

Mo Farah
Christine Ohuruogu
Hannah Cockroft
Andy Murray
Chris Froome
Justin Rose
Sir Ben Ainslie
AP McCoy
Ian Bell
Leigh Halfpenny

3 athletics stars in the mix; Mo Farah, Christine Ohuruogu and Hannah Cockroft. Men's tennis star Andy Murray, cyclist Chris Froome, golfer Justin Rose, sailor Sir Ben Ainslie, jockey AP McCoy, cricketer Ian Bell and rugby union star Leigh Halfpenny.

So who makes your top three?

Mo Farah was the second man in history to complete the Olympic and World 'double-double' in 5000m and 10000m.

Christine Ohuruogu is the first British woman to win two World Championship titles.

Hannah Cockroft set a new Championship record as she secured the sprint double abroad in Lyon.

Andy Murray brought the 77-year drought for a British Wimbledon win to an end in straight sets on the hottest day of the year in 40 degree heat inside Centre Court.

Chris Froome - can it be two cyclists in a row for the SPOTY award - he won the 100th Tour de France this year.

Golfer Justin Rose won his first major at the US Open.

Sir Ben Ainslie was nominated last year for his incredible achievements at the London Olympics but this year he created yet more history as he helped inspire an American Cup win. A moment in history unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon. The American team trailed 8-1 with one more loss the end of the competition. Oracle Team USA enlisted the help of Ainslie and the 8-1 trail soon became an 8-8 tie with the finale a winner-takes-all moment for both teams. USA won by 44 seconds. Incredible!

AP McCoy, 18 times champion jockey, won his 4000th race this year.

Ian Bell was England's Ashes hero in the batting lineup. Bell's usual average is 21 and in the Ashes he racked up an average of 62 with a total of 562 runs equalling Denis Compton's home Ashes record in 1948.

Rugby Union star Leigh Halfpenny starred int he winning British & Irish Lions tour kicking a new Lions test record of 21 points.

So my predictions?

1. Andy Murray
2. Mo Farah
3. Sir Ben Ainslie

What are yours?

We'll find out Sunday 15th December when Clare Balding, Gary Lineker and Gabby Logan present the evening to a 12,000 capacity crowd.


Ball on Willow.

BBC Sports Personality

It's that time of year again when the Sports Personality shortlist of 10 names is announced. It will be broadcast at some point on the One Show tonight (from 19:00 GMT).

The awards are being held on Sunday 15th December this year at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

Gary Lineker commented on the venue saying; "It's going to be tough to follow last year, the most unbelievable sporting year in living memory, but the fact that it is the 60th anniversary, the fact that it is coming to Leeds, means it's still going to be a huge show."

Director of BBC Sport Barbara Slater added; "We're thrilled Leeds is to host BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2013. The sporting heritage of the city is outstanding and the new arena will be a great venue from which to celebrate the very best of sport."

Last year's winner of the award was of course Tour de France winner and British Olympic road cycling champion, Bradley "Wiggo" Wiggins. He was presented the prestigious public-voted award by the then-pregnant Duchess of Cambridge and legendary footballer David Beckham - who received his very own Sports Personality award ten years previous in 2002 - in front of a televised audience exceeding 15 million.

Who do you think will make it onto the list of 10?

Who do you think will edge out the competition to claim the title?

My money's on the British number one tennis player Andy Murray.

Winning the US Open got him 3rd place last year, behind Jessica Ennis (now Ennis-Hill) and Wiggo. Can being runner-up it the Australian open and of course taking the Wimbledon title, for the first time by a British player in 77 years, be what gets him the win? 

15th December, we'll find out!

That's Ball on Willow.

Clarke Fined For Foul Mouth

Australian captain Michael Clarke "was found to have breached Article 2.1.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to 'using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an international match'."

Clarke was fined 20% of his match fee for a threat he made to Jimmy Anderson, telling him to expect a broken arm whilst he was batting.

This is the latest in a long string of aggressive and disappointing comments for the Australian camp.

What's next?


Ball on Willow.

Trott Leaves Ashes Tour

Things have gone from bad to worse for England after their crushing defeat as Jonathan Trott leaves the Ashes tour due to a stress-related condition he has a history of struggling with.

He scored only 19 runs in the two innings of the first test.

Trott commented on the situation saying, "I don't think it's right that I'm playing knowing that I'm not 100%...I cannot currently operate at the level I have done in the past." He added, "my priority now is to take a break from cricket so that I can focus on my recovery."

Alastair Cook recently spoke out about David Warner's comments, calling them "disrespectful" but England coach Andy Flower says "it is not directly related to that".

We wish him all the best in a speedy recovery!


Ball on Willow.

(One) Down But Not Out

Well at least I could have an early one tonight.

What else can be said if the crushing defeat Australia handed to England?

I'm sure the Brisbane newspapers have plenty to say and it seems Warner does as well. The Aussie opener had some choice words to say about batsman Jonathan Trott. "The way Trotty got out today was pretty poor and weak." Ouch!

The papers took a liking to a different English player though, Graeme Swann. The front page of a Brisbane paper this morning read, "three great tons have us cheering on day 3" accompanied by three pictures. David Warner (124), Michael Clarke (113) and Graeme Swann (2-135). Low blow!

561 was the target and England started their day 24 runs into it.

Cook and Pietersen hoping to make a splash. An hour's up and England are 71-2. But not long after - it just wasn't meant to be for KP in his 100th test match, as he goes at the hand of Johnson for 26.

England trail by 489.

The fifty comes up for Alastair Cook and that's his 33rd in test cricket. Johnson getting frustrated at the lack of wickets.

Ex-England batsman Geoffrey Boycott says it best; "This is what the game is all about. It is theatre, absolute drama. Johnson is getting ratty as hell because he is not getting them out with his best balls."

Bell lasts 70 balls as he's caught behind by Haddin for 32 off a short ball by Siddle.

England 130-4.

Rain stops play at 142-4 and it's pouring it down.

An hour and a half later and they're back out to play. No sooner is Cook at the crease that Lyon sends him back up those steps with only 3 fours to his name in his 65 runs.

Prior doesn't last long as it was Lyon who struck again leading Prior to only make 4.

Broad is beaten by a fast and short ball from Johnson and, like Prior, also goes for 4.

The collapse is well and truly underway.

It looks to be all over for England when Johnson gets Swanny out for a duck.

Rain stopped play again with England on 160-8 and Root and Tremlett at the square.

Tremlett is the 6th English player to go for single figures this innings once play resumes but not the last - Anderson goes c&b Johnson for 2.

And that's England 179ao and 1-0 for Aus in the series down under with Mitchell Johnson made man of the match.

I stand by the predictions I made at cricket.eventility.com - England to win 2-1 (and Broad to be man of the series).

Watching with bated breath.


Ball on Willow.

Is there any hope?

The Courier Mail calls them "a team of nobodies" but it only took 4 minutes for Broad to strike with his first ball and it was Rogers who was heading back to the dressing room. That's three days in a row that Stuart Broad has drawn blood first. Things were looking positive for English side.

Two appeals with Anderson bowling to Warner, neither reviewed, neither pitching in line with the stumps.

Chris Tremlett comes into the attack and Warner hits the second ball of the over into Stuart Broad's hands at mid on.

Australia 75-2 with a lead of 234 runs.

Rains stops play just before 1am GMT for all of 15 minutes.

Warner and Clarke seem to be enjoying Swann's bowling after the short break, dancing up the crease hitting fours. England finally think they have Warner and waste a review just before lunch.

The Aussies ahead by 304 runs.

Warner and Clarke make 100 and 50 respectively with Warner eventually going at the hand of Broad on 124. With Smith out shortly after for a duck.

Ian Bell drops George Bailey with Joe Root bowling.

No sooner is 100 up for Clarke that Swann finally gets his man.

Aus are 299-5 at tea.

One for the record books: Back out they come and 6 runs later Swann takes his 250th test wicket when Bailey hits the ball onto his stumps.

It takes an hour with the new ball for England to take the 7th wicket. And it's Tremlett again who gets Haddin out on 53.

Australia pass 400 and declare with a score of 401-7. England trail by 560 runs.

Carberry is out for a duck and England couldn't have had a worse start. England are 1-1.

Trott takes to the crease with little success again walking off the pitch scoring just 9, at the hand of Johnson.

Pietersen comes on to see out England to the close of play. England 24-2 needing 537 runs to win.

Can they do it? Or do they play this out for a draw?


Ball on Willow.

Bloodbath for Brits

England came out with one aim: two wickets, fast, wanting to limit their top order batsmen's exposure to the heat as much as possible.

Australia resume their efforts from yesterday on 273-8.

Jimmy Anderson was managing to swing the relatively new ball but it was the man who must not be named - Stuart Broad - who struck first for the second day in a row. Ryan Harris looked to leave the ball but didn't withdraw with enough speed. The nick travels to Prior's right but safely into both gloves.

England's ex-captain Michael Vaughan commented on the wicket; "Harris guided it through and it was a simple catch for Matt Prior. Harris was looking quite dangerous so that is a really big wicket for England."

Nathan Lyon steps on to the pitch, he starts off looking solid - helping Haddin edge closer and closer to his century. Then England call out with a big appeal as a ball from Jimmy passes Lyon's gloves. No such luck.

A few singles later and England finally get their man. Brad Haddin is run out, short of his century, on 94 - trying to go for a greedy two. Carberry with the throw into the gloves of Prior who beats the Aussie keeper.

Australia are 295ao after half an hours play at The Gabba.

Cooke and Carberry walk out together for the first time this series and you can see Carberry just having a look around the stadium - taking it all in.

Cooke steps up to the crease to face Harris.

England's opening stand of 28 is finally broken with Cooke edging the ball backwards to a very patient Haddin. Trott then comes out and delivers a rather short performance leaving England on 55-2.

After lunch it's Kevin Pietersen's turn. Can he bring this England team back into play?

Siddle drops KP and Pietersen is given a second chance. One he doesn't use for long as he gives Australian newcomer George Bailey a little catching practise and leaves scoring only 18. A huge wicket for Australia!

Carberry is bowled out for 40, Bell quickly after on 5 and Prior goes for a dismal golden duck. England now on 87-6 and Lyon has a hat-trick chance he completely wastes.

Can Broad and Root turn this carnage around?

Root goes for 2 making him the third successive English batsman to go for (low) single figures this innings. Will Broad and Swann break the pattern?

The answer, no.

Swann goes for a duck, caught again by Bailey and England are 91-8.

27 balls, 5 wickets, 4 runs. APPALLING!!!!

Tremlett comes in to support Broad, who seems to be England's last hope of saving this bleak innings. Tremlett goes for 8 with Anderson the last man in. And it's Siddle who gets the final wicket for Australia. Broad goes for a respectable 32 leaving the visitors on 136ao.

82-2 to 136ao - a complete collapse of England's middle order.

Australia go straight back in to bat, already leading by 159 runs.

Can England redeem themselves out in the field as Rogers and Watson try to dig a deeper hole for England to struggle out of in their second innings?

Close of play couldn't come soon enough as Australia walk off the pitch 65-0 with a 224 run lead.

What do England need to do on Day 3 to swing this game back in their favour? Is that even possible?


Ball on Willow.

Ashes: Day One

Stuart Broad has achieved what he set out to do, answer his critics jeers the best way he knows how - on the pitch.

Cooke and Clarke both stepped out in caps and blazers for the specially minted coin toss out on the square at The Gabba on Thursday 21st November 2013. The start of the Ashes.

Cooke called heads and lost the toss. Michael Clarke chose to bat (the same as England would have done should they have won the toss) and after a few cute kids, national anthems and some pyrotechnics, Rogers and Warner took to the crease. Anderson started the attack against Australia with Broad the other England bowler to open. He did so with a boundary, much to the crowd's delight. But it was Stuart Broad who was smiling when Australia were 12-1 as Broad took Rogers out of the occasion for only 1 run.

It was Stuart Broad who knocked Australia right back to eventually leave them on 83-4 with Warner very unlucky to be out just shy of his half century on 49 and a very important wicket of Clarke out for the same score as Rogers (1).

By tea Australia were 153-6 with Anderson and Tremlett taking out Bailey (who received his first cap for Australia in this test match) and Smith respectively. 

It wasn't Swann's day as he was bowling to Johnson, who before the series started had said he was ready to face Swann at the crease, and hit for boundary after boundary including two sixes.

The 27-year-old medium pace bowler (as the Oz press refer to him - when they have to mention him) Stuart Broad finally ended the 7th wicket partnership of 114 from Haddin and Johnson with the ball hitting middle stump, dismissing Mitchell Johnson for 64 (134). Giving Broady his well-earned 5-wicket haul for 65. Taking the ball, he held it up and turn around facing all areas of the stadium to almighty boos. What a way to silence his critics!

Anderson took one after that in the finally few overs, leaving close of play today with Australia on 273-8 with Brad Haddin no on 78* (132).

Has Australia fought back enough from 6-down on 132 to salvage their chances in this test match? I think it all depends on how they bowl. But with Johnson able to get 64 on this pitch - England's higher order batsmen must be chomping at the bit to get out there!

That's Ball on Willow.

News Updates

Nottinghamshire sign 34-year-old Australian batsman Phil Jacques on a short term contract for the start of the 2014-15 LV County Championship season from Yorkshire (770 runs last season). This came about after Notts let Alex Hales seek out an IPL contract. Jacques has also played for Worcestershire.

William Porterfield becomes the first player to score a t20 Century for Ireland with an unbeaten 127 as they beat the USA by 75 runs.

23-year-old Lewis Hatchett has signed a new one-year contract at Sussex.

41 minutes to go.


Ball on Willow.

News from Down Under

Australia opener Chris Rogers was dismissed by England right-arm off-spinner Graeme Swann on six occasions in the previous Ashes series. Will Swanny cause as much trouble for Rogers on foreign soil? Even Rogers is unsure of how things will play out; "I've got plans but I know he's going to bowl well at me. We'll have to see what happens."

Both Australia and England have agreed to HotSpot and Snicko being included in the DRS system for the second Ashes series of 2013. Real-time Snicko will help limit the number of obviously wrong decisions caused by HotSpot in the summer.

Still a lot of negative press surrounds England's bowler Stuart Broad (or "Stuart Fraud" as they have taken to calling him in Oz) because of his unapologetic nature over the seemingly controversial decision to stand his ground at the crease of Trent Bridge in July this year.

Still defending his decision, he likened the situation to football; "If Wayne Rooney jumped into a two-footed tackle in a Premier League game against Liverpool and the ref gave him a yellow card, would he go, 'You know what, ref, we're one-nil down but I'm going to walk off, come on, send me off'?" What do you think?

Tick tock, tick tock...we're almost there.


And that's Ball on Willow.

Tendulkar immortalised, KP hopeful and Robinson ready for a challenge

Sachin Tendulkar is expected to be immortalised in marble in a shrine built by Indian actor Manoj Tiwary (not to be confused with the IPL cricketer) in the Bihar state of Northern India. After his recent retirement, with a victory in his 200^th test match over the West Indies, Tendulkar received the highest civilian honour there is in India: the Bharat Ratna. The sporting royalty will not be alone in the 6000sq ft temple, with statues of MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh confirmed to be joining his in the temple.

Kevin Pietersen has expressed a hope of playing for England in both the 2015 World Cup in Australasia and against South Africa in the 2015-16 tour. Many didn't think KP would last as long as he has. Reaching his 100^th cap tomorrow has been a very bumpy journey for him. Stripped of his brief captaincy in 2009 and dropped from the squad for texting with the South African players during a test series between the two nations are two definite low points tainting his otherwise rather impressive professional career he has carved for himself.

Sussex manager Mark Robinson has been named Head Coach for the England Lions tour in Sri Lanka next year. Robinson has previously coached the England U19s and hopes this opportunity will be a great challenge "out of [his] comfort zone".

That's Ball on Willow.

The 100 Club

The countdown is almost over with Thursday 21st November almost here. Midnight in Brisbane is when it all begins. With England keen to retain the ashes trophy after their 3-0 win on home soil earlier this year, the first back-to-back series hosted in Oz is guaranteed to be an eventful one.

Kevin Pietersen, already England’s leading run scorer of all time – ahead of legends Graham Gooch and Alec Stewart, will make it into the record books as he steps out on to the fresh pitch of The Gabba this week and into the distinguished 100 club.

The first test in the Ashes series is KP’s 100th test and what a setting to do it in. However, slightly tainting this incredible moment in his career, Pietersen has been slated – yet again – in a front cover news story about his ego and antics in the dressing-room.

More bad press for the England side includes accusations that Broad asked two people to be removed from Sydney Cricket Ground’s members bar after they kept badgering him. Both took to twitter to defend themselves.

Let’s hope it does not affect them come Thursday.


That's Ball on Willow.

New Ball to the Blogging World

BALL ON WILLOW

Why?

Allow me a few words to explain myself...

My name is Jessica Ball. Born and bred in London with no plans to ever leave.

I have just turned 21 (boy did I milk that birthday!) and made the seemingly controversial decision, after a fantastic gap year travelling around Asia, to dismiss the social convention that is university. See, I've never been great with tests, revision, "reading around the subject" - so uni, it just wasn't for me.

Instead, I chose to join a company called Inapub.

www.inapub.co.uk

Let me make this perfectly clear. I do not work In A Pub, but for Inapub.

They are a company that helps Pubs and Breweries connect with people by creating offers and vouchers, listing events, advertising their services, facilities, menu's and drinks and build a loyal community. Also connecting all that content with our content partners like Google; national publishers, tourist boards and mobile app developers. Plus you can connect it to your social networks, like Facebook and Twitter. You do it once we find your customers everywhere! 

Anyway...

I've now been there over 2 years and have progressed into a well-established role running their social media, promoting their services and competitions. Hence the reason this blog exists.

See, I started playing cricket at the age of 5. I was the second girl to join Ealing Cricket Club sometime ago in the late-90s and have been hooked to the sport ever since.

***This is where the name of the blog has come from. Jessica Ball. Ball. A cricket bat is made of willow. Willow. Ball on Willow. Get it? Well I thought it was rather clever...***

Before I found cricket I had gymnastics. As a toddler I am told I loved it, continuing with it until I turned 16. In that time I found a general love of sport. All sport. Almost all sport.

From the obvious football, rugby, tennis and golf to the NFL and NBA - I have some sort of interest in all of them. (Liverpool, Harlequins, Murray and Donald, New York Jets and Knicks)

If I hadn't told my name, or that I joined the girls section at ECC you might have been a little shocked to know my gender. Most are surprised when I open my mouth and stats pour out about the sport of your choosing. In all fairness I don't think it's my fault - I think my dad was desperate for a son, I had to do!

By the age of 11 I narrowed down the sports I played (never the ones I watched) and by 13 I was a double indoor cricket champion for my club Ealing. This was also at the time of my first season playing for Middlesex girls U13s. For anyone who would understand, I was a rather appalling batsmen (the bails were roughly in line with waist!!) but I had great reflexes - the latter making me the perfect candidate for a wicketkeeper.

Once I started winter training in the nets with the U15s I knew I'd entered a different league of the game. My batting was not up to scratch and I had competition as first choice keeper. As one of the youngest in the squad it was always going to be a challenge to be selected in the 1st XI and it was a slightly frustrating season for me. Still, I stuck with it and decided I had to try a little more seriously at bowling - with not a lot of success.

With one of the most incredible opportunities I have still ever received to date - my father bid in an auction at Graham Gooch's annual charity fundraiser for a session for 2 in the Nursery at Lord's with the legend himself.

Shaking uncontrollably I begin my session in the nets improving my technique on the pull shot. Maybe 20 minutes later John Emburey strolls passed, waving to Gooch. He comes over to chat and the rest of our session is devoted to picking apart and rebuilding my bowling action. To cut a long story short I never kept again but instead took 3 5-wicket hauls over my last season with Middlesex.

I could go on to say Essex were playing Middlesex in a t20 game that evening and as the Essex batters began to warm up I might have been bowling to Chopra who scored the winning runs. And I may or may not have taken full credit for that win!....but I won't.

U15s was my final season playing competitive cricket at both Gunnersbury and Middlesex. Unfortunately a tumble went wrong in my gymnastics and I injured my back. After that I was never as good as I once was so I chose to get my qualification as a coach. To this day I still coach at Ealing every Friday during the season with the youngsters challenging my rusty ability in most sessions! Watching the girls come through the club and into the new ladies team is a pleasure to watch and I'm glad it plays such a big part at Ealing.


So that's me.

Ball on Willow.