Daily Cricket News

Ashes: England 86/2 at lunch on Day 1

Brisbane: England have recovered from the loss of captain Andrew Strauss on the third ball of the day to reach 86-2 at lunch on Thursday's opening day of the first Ashes Test against Australia.

Strauss looked to cut a short delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus to the boundary but was caught at third slip by Mike Hussey. This came after Strauss won the toss and as elected to bat.

Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen were the not out batsman, on 29 and 23 respectively.

The second wicket fell just after the drinks break when Jonathan Trott was bowled for 29 between bat and pad by a Shane Watson delivery that seamed in off the pitch before hitting middle and off stump.

England should have been three wickets down at lunch as debutant Xavier Doherty dropped Alastair Cook off Shane Watson. The England opener spooned a fairly comfortable chance above the spinner's head at point but the Tasmanian, who had two attempts to gather, grassed the ball.

Strauss' early dismissal continued the recent tradition of poor England starts at the Gabba. In 2006, Steve Harmison's first delivery was a wide, collected by Andrew Flintoff at second slip. Four years' earlier Simon Jones suffered a horrific knee injury fielding on the boundary in the first session.

Before his dismissal Trott survived a close leg before appeal from Peter Siddle's second over when on eight. Aleem Dar turned down Australia's claim but Ricky Ponting, after consulting with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, opted to appeal to the video umpire.

Replays suggested the ball may have clipped leg stump but as there was no definitive judgment the umpire's original decision stood. Shortly afterward when on 13, Trott edged Siddle just short of Ricky Ponting at second slip.

Batting was difficult on the first morning due to moisture beneath the surface causing the ball to deviate off the seam, although only Watson consistently pitched the ball on a full enough length to upset the batsman.

Trott's wicket brought Kevin Pietersen to the crease, and the flamboyant English batsman was greeted with boos from the Australian crowd.

Pietersen enjoyed a confident start hitting a beautiful straight drive between bowler Watson and the stumps to bring him to double figures.

Then when Doherty, who it is suspected was specifically selected to bowl at Pietersen, was brought into the attack less than half an hour before lunch, the South African born batsman immediately attacked him, dancing down the pitch to play deliveries.