(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.