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.