The Ashes 2010/2011 Cricket: England Edge Day One in Perth

England edged closer to an Ashes 2010/2011 series win with a fine day in the field on the opening day of the third test in Perth, bowling out Australia for 268, before putting on 29 runs for no wicket in the final three quarters of an hour.

Once again, as has been somewhat customary in this tour, Australian top-order batsmen failed to get any sort of start, as opener Hughes (2) was bowled by the newcomer Tremlett with the score on just 2, providing another horrid start for the hosts.

Captain Ponting (12) came in and was soon walking to the pavilion, after being caught by Collingwood from the bowling of Anderson.

When Tremlett claimed the wicket of Michael Clarke (4), caught behind by Prior, a full-scale disaster looked to be on the cards, and worse was to follow, as opener Watson (13) was LBW from the bowling of Finn. Australia had slumped to 36 for 4 wickets.

However, following this early breakthrough, England found things a little tougher later in the day.

Yet again, this summer, it was Mike Hussey (61) who steadied the Australian ship. Despite Smith (7) coming and going quickly – in the process becoming the impressive Tremlett’s third wicket when caught by Strauss at slip – Hussey was able to build an important partnership, once again with wicket keeper Brad Haddin (53).

Hussey’s (61) wicket fell with the score on 137 for 6 wickets, after nicked Graeme Swann to Matt Prior, but up stepped all-rounder Mitchell Johnson (62), back in the team with a point to prove.

Johnson top-scored with his 62, and he and Haddin performed a day-saving partnership under the highest of pressure, while England’s bowlers, so good in the morning, seemed to tire slightly against Johnson’s powerful hitting. Finn in particular was a little costly for the visitors, during the afternoon.

Anderson got Haddin on 53, caught Swann, before clean bowling Harris (3). Johnson, however, kept working away – and he was helped by an eye-catching innings from bowler Siddle, who scored 35 not out, demonstrating to those above him that it was possible to construct an innings on this pitch.

When Johnson eventually fell, it was pulling straight to square leg, Anderson, from the bowling of Finn, signalling the end of the Australian fightback with the score on 233, though Siddle (35 n.o.) and Hilfenhaus (13) worked hard to push the total up to 268.

Hilfenhaus, the last wicket of the innings, was caught by Cook from the bowling of Swann, as England shared the wickets around their bowlers.

At stumps, it was advantage England as openers Cook (17 n.o.) and Strauss (12 n.o.) put on an unbeaten 29 from 12 overs in the evening.

Following their fine start, England’s bowlers will be disappointed that they failed to press home their early advantage and remove Australia for a humbler total, though credit must go to the Australian middle and lower order for their excellent, under-pressure innings.

A full-blown crisis was averted, but 268 is at least 100 short of what they would have hoped for from the opening innings on this pitch.

That said, Australia must be concerned that this pitch does not show a great deal for their out-of-sorts bowling attack: they must remove the bulk of England’s confident batsmen by lunch on day two if they are to retain any hope of a positive, series-levelling result from this test match.