A great cacophony of boos rang around the Gabba as his name
was read out. The ‘great fraud’, the man who wouldn’t walk, the man who certain
sections of the local press refused to name, instead referring to him as the ’27
year-old English medium-pace bowler’. Unfortunately for the Aussies, Stuart
Broad rather likes being the pantomime villain. The preordained chorus of
disgust that reigned down from the stands served only to spur him on.
Broad revelled in the hate and bile thrown at him as he
ripped through the Australian top order. It wasn’t long before he got his
moment of triumph; hoisting the ball up high as Mitchell Johnson became his
fifth victim, accompanied by yet more booing. By then Australia were eight down,
and left rueing yet another failure by their flaky batting line-up.
The day started rather differently for Australia, Michael
Clarke won the toss on a very flat looking wicket and chose to bat. Despite the
early loss of Chris Rogers (1), Shane Watson and David Warner were putting
Australia in a very solid position as lunch approached. Then either side of the
interval a cluster of wickets came which decimated the top and middle order.
First Watson (22) edged to Swann at slip on the eve of lunch.
Not long after the players returned, Broad ruthlessly exposed Clarke’s (1) susceptibility
to the short ball with a towering bouncer. Warner (49) let go a promising start
which included a number of flourishing boundaries by tamely lolloping the ball
to Pietersen, become Broad’s fourth victim in the process. James Anderson
(2-61) got into the act by putting George Bailey (3) out of his misery. The
latest man to fill Australia’s number six spot looked about as steady as a
drunken sailor on the high seas before he finally perished.
Chris Tremlett (1-51) got some reward for a patient day’s
bowling with the wicket of Steve Smith (31). Tremlett was accurate throughout
most of the day, but did seem to lack the frightening zip and pace that made
him such a menacing presence three years ago.
At 132-6, it looked as though the wheels had well and truly
come off. The dramatic collapse was alleviated though as Australia fought back.
A stoic partnership between Brad Haddin (78*) and Johnson (64) repelled England
throughout much of the afternoon and evening. Graeme Swann (0-80) had one of
his more frustrating days. He was clearly targeted and had a fascinating battle
with Johnson, the returning Aussie showed that he was comfortable to hit over
the top with a couple of finely struck sixes.
The partnership of 114 gave Australia hope, but it wasn’t to
survive the second new ball. Broad (5-65) returned with renewed vigour. A full
delivery that swung back a little demolished Johnson’s stumps as he enjoyed his
moment in the baking Brisbane sun. Anderson accounted for Peter Siddle (7) late
on; skipper Alastair Cook clinging on to his third catch of the day in the slips.
Haddin remained though; leaving Australia to close on 273-8.
The veteran keeper can be pleased with his defiant knock whilst knowing that he
really needs to add to his 78 runs so far in the morning. England can reflect
on a great first day. They were notably relaxed in the build-up to this game
and executed their plans perfectly.
The Aussie press will now be very worried, He Who Must Not Be
Named may well steal the headlines many more times before this series is over.
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