Ashes Live: Hussey leads recovery after blistering England start

Throughout the series the Yorkshire Post website will bring you coverage from Down Under, with breaking news and gossip, breakfast reports, results and even tweets.

Also, follow Matt Reeder's blow-by-blow account of the pivotal first day of the first Ashes Test from midnight tonight, UK time.

All times UK

Thursday, December 16

Third Test, day one, stumps: Australia 268, England 29-0

Friday, December 3

Second Test, day one, stumps: Australia 245, England 1-0

ENGLAND defied the Adelaide traditions by losing the toss but then bowling Australia out for just 245 to take the upper hand in the second Ashes Test.

A remarkable opening to the day saw the hosts crash to two for three before Shane Watson and Michael Hussey rebuilt with a stand of 94.

Brad Haddin added a half-century but the lower order crumbled. James Anderson led the way with four wickets for 51 before England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook reached the close without alarm.

Expectations were high for a huge first-innings score at this ground synonymous with 500-plus totals over the first three days. Instead, England struck with the fourth ball of the match.

Anderson (three for 31) appealed for lbw against Watson and in the confusion Watson called Simon Katich through for a single - and Jonathan Trott pounced for a direct hit from square-leg to run the left-hander out, without facing a ball.

Number three Ricky Ponting strode out, and trooped back off, in little more than a minute.

Anderson, England's outstanding bowler and deserving of better figures in the drawn first Test in Brisbane, got an outswinger in the perfect spot to any new batsman.

Ponting pushed out and edged low to second slip, where Graeme Swann took a neat catch away to his left. It was Ponting's fifth golden duck in his 150th Test, and a major shock to this sell-out crowd.

In his next over, Anderson struck again - an out-of-form Michael Clarke edging an attempted drive to Swann.

Watson survived a DRS review for a front-foot lbw as simulation showed the ball was going over the top of leg-stump, vindicating umpire Tony Hill.

England would have had a fourth wicket anyway had Anderson managed to hold on to a one-handed return catch to his left when Hussey chipped a drive back - on three and with the team total still only 12.

The left-hander, who made 195 at the Gabba, also edged Anderson just short of Swann soon afterwards.

Otherwise, he and Watson began to show their liking for what appeared a slightly pacier pitch than many had anticipated but an even one too.

Watson found the boundary with increasing regularity, but kept the shot of the morning back until he launched a huge six off Swann's off-spin over wide long-on into the new Western Grandstand.

The opener's seventh four, a dismissive front-foot pull off Steven Finn, brought up his 82-ball 50 in the last over before lunch.

He was soon gone afterwards, though, thanks to Anderson - who again found just enough movement to have Watson spearing a cover-drive into the hands of Kevin Pietersen at point.

Marcus North, next in, has a reputation for vulnerability early in his innings but he is a dangerous opponent once set - and he gradually got to that point.

Hussey had just five fours in his 95-ball 50, but was manipulating the ball into gaps expertly - and he and North tried to grind England down in a stand of 62.

They appeared to target Finn as England's potential weakest link, farming him for six-an-over without undue risk, until the tall seamer got one to bounce and leave North off the pitch for a caught-behind breakthrough just before tea.

Hussey (93) and his new partner Brad Haddin shared a record triple-century stand at their last attempt in Brisbane.

This time, they put on 51 as England ploughed through those 'hard yards' they were warned about with the old ball down under.

It seemed Hussey was moving inexorably closer to the second of back-to-back hundreds - but Swann had other ideas, snaring the left-hander with a little turn and a sharp catch at slip by Paul Collingwood to end a 183-ball innings which had contained eight fours.

One ball later, Swann became the second man on a hat-trick so far in this series - Peter Siddle completed the feat at the Gabba - when he got through Ryan Harris' defences to the back leg. He won the lbw verdict after an interminable DRS process, with the hot-spot technology suggesting a slight inside edge.

Xavier Doherty blocked out the hat-trick ball but Haddin showed little faith in a vulnerable-looking Australian tail and set about swinging the bat.

He survived England's second and final review on 38 when he missed a slog-sweep replays showing he was hit outside the line by Swann.

Doherty soon fell to the second run-out of the innings, the victim of a superb diving pick-up and throw by Strauss at silly mid-on - via short-leg Cook - and his own hesitation.

Haddin brought up an 88-ball half-century by heaving Anderson over backward square leg for six.

Siddle played out a Broad maiden, raising enough confidence in Haddin for the keeper to take a single from the first ball of the next over - but the tail-ender immediately clipped Anderson straight to Cook to depart for three.

Haddin top-edged a hook to Finn at long leg to give Broad his only wicket and end the hosts' innings at 245, with his own personal contribution standing at 56. Anderson's four for 51 represented the pick of the England figures.

A leg bye from the first ball was the only run in the solitary over possible at the start of England's reply.

Haddin and Ponting both exchanged words with Strauss as the England captain and Cook walked off at the close of play.

Thursday, December 2

Mitchell Johnson has been dropped from Australia's team for the second Ashes Test in Adelaide, captain Ricky Ponting has confirmed.

Ponting announced at a press conference this morning that Johnson is being released from the 13-man squad selected, leaving Ryan Harris, Doug Bollinger, and Ben Hilfenhaus to battle for the final pace-bowling place.

Johnson finished with match figures of none for 170 in the drawn first Test in Brisbane, after which Australia called reinforcements Harris and Bollinger into the squad for the second match of the series, which gets under way tomorrow.

Johnson said: "It's obviously disappointing but it's not the end of the world.

"We've still got lots of Tests to go in this series, and I'm going to be working my way back to get into the team and hope to be a big part of it."

Monday, November 29

Final: England 260 and 517-1 drew with Australia 481 and 107-

1.

England's batsmen helped ensure a draw in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane today.

Alastair Cook struck an unbeaten 235 and Jonathan Trott added 135 not out to help England reach 517 for one in their second innings, setting the hosts a nominal target of 297.

Australia reached 107 for one when the captains shook hands on a high-scoring draw.

Cook's score was a career-best innings, while Trott was exactly 100 runs behind him when Andrew Strauss decided it was time for a bowl again.

Cook, who yesterday contributed to England's ground-record opening stand with his captain, ploughed mercilessly on to the highest individual score at this venue as he and Trott made a mockery of the perilous starting position of the tourists' second innings.

By tea, Australia had lost Simon Katich, fencing a catch to Strauss at slip off Stuart Broad, but there were no further losses on the way to the early close as home captain Ricky Ponting reached an unbeaten 51 at a run a ball.

This is only the second time in England's history the top three batsmen have reached three figures in the same innings, the previous instance courtesy of Jack Hobbs, Herbert Sutcliffe and Wally Hammond in 1924.

It is a unique Ashes achievement for a team who had set out late on the third day needing 221 runs just to make their hosts bat again and, according to many experts, with scant chance of escaping Brisbane at 0-0.

Cook and Trott began a sunny morning with a partnership of 121 already under their belts - and then piled on another 208 in just 51 overs.

Australia were in the field for more than four sessions, and long before the end of their torment were looking incapable of helping themselves.

That was certainly the impression when Michael Clarke, who had dropped barely a half-chance yesterday when Trott was 34, put down a much easier one at slip after the same batsman glided a cut much too fine off Shane Watson on 75.

An over later, Mitchell Johnson - operating at no runs, no wickets and one dropped catch so far in this series - hurled a wide so far down the leg-side it could be interpreted as symptomatic of a dispirited team.

Two sets of consecutive leg-byes, when Xavier Doherty's turn defeated Cook and Brad Haddin, brought up England's 400.

They were not necessarily the wicketkeeper's fault but came as another blow to home morale, in front of a small crowd dominated by English cheers.

Cook and Trott's smattering of boundaries in the first hour were largely from controlled edges rather than the middle of either bat.

Yet a wicket seemed unthinkable at times on a pitch which - despite ever widening cracks - was apparently better than ever for batting.

Watson switched to the Vulture Street end, only to concede the cover-driven boundary - through the errant Marcus North's hands - which took Cook, on his way to a maiden double-century, past his previous Test best of 173.

Before the morning was out, he had become only the fourth Englishman to make a double-century down under - and when Strauss finally called him and Trott in, the left-hander had hit 27 fours from 428 balls and had batted for almost 10 and a half hours.

Trott's second hundred against these opponents in only his second Ashes Test hardly deserved to be relegated to a footnote. He finished with 19 fours from 266 balls.

Sunday, November 28

Stumps, day four, England 260 and 309-1 lead Australia 481 by 88 runs.

England captain Andrew Strauss will not be looking too early to set up a possible win over Australia on the final day of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Strauss and vice captain Alastair Cook both scored centuries at the Gabba as England finished the fourth day on 309 for one in their second innings for a lead of 88.

But Strauss (110) will not be looking to force the issue when Cook (132 not out) and Jonathan Trott (54no) take the field tomorrow.

Strauss said: "We don't like to look too far ahead. It's a case of starting off tomorrow where we have finished today."

Strauss had been determined to bounce back after getting out to the third ball on the opening day of one of the most eagerly-anticipated Ashes series ever.

He said: "It was probably one of the worst feelings I have had in cricket following all the build-up to the game."

The England captain was pleased to see his vice captain also score a century.

He added on Sky Sports 1: "It was obviously important the two of stood up and batted for the majority of the day. That gives us the psychological advantage going into tomorrow.

"Last night was pretty tricky so coming out this morning the ball was a bit older. It's always important you don't go too much into your shell."

Cook added an unbeaten 132 to a half-century in the first innings and added: "It was very satisfying.

"I said at the start of the tour I had a point to prove. In my last two series against Australia I hadn't done that well.

"Over the last 12 months I've had a bit of a tinker with my technique and tried to improve it. The results today, I'm very happy with."

Saturday, November 27

Stumps, day three: England 260 and 19-0 trail Australia 481, by 221 runs.

ENGLAND faced a long battle to save the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, after Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin's twin hundreds helped forge a monumental sixth-wicket stand of 307.

Hussey (195) and Haddin (136) put on a ground record for any wicket to help Australia pile up a first-innings total of 481 all out, and lead of 221, by mid-evening on day three.

That left an awkward period for England's openers to face before stumps but, despite a close lbw shout against Andrew Strauss from the first ball of the innings, they held out to reach the close at 19-0.

With the Australian pair resuming on 220 for five, England's four-strong frontline attack did not flag up to lunch but wilted afterwards as their fruitless efforts and inevitable frustration took a toll.

Steven Finn (six for 125) then took the last four wickets at a personal cost of 14 runs - but none of that altered the fact England would have to bat for the next day-and-a-half at least to stop their hosts going 1-0 up. Hussey brought up his century with a supremely-placed drive off Stuart Broad wide of mid-off this morning.

Natural shotmaker Haddin, initially the silent partner, became more typically expansive today - and he reached three figures in the grand manner with a six over long-on, having advanced down the wicket to Graeme Swann.

James Anderson, in particular, bowled very well with the second new ball - to no avail - in an eight-over spell on a sunny morning from the Vulture Street end.

He beat the bat countless times but failed to find the edge.

England, already out of DRS options, suffered an early psychological blow when Hussey overturned an lbw decision on 82 after simulation indicated the ball from Anderson pitched just outside leg-stump.

Three runs later, Hussey survived again when Aleem Dar this time turned down a similar appeal by Anderson - which might have proved successful, had England still had recourse to the third umpire.

It was not until Andrew Strauss introduced Swann, with Australia nine runs in front, that Hussey recorded his first four of the day, 90 minutes in - down the wicket and driven over mid-off to put him within one shot of his hundred.

Haddin was starting to go through the gears, and when England resorted to Paul Collingwood - with a hopeful ring on the drive - to give the frontline attack much-needed respite, the wicketkeeper-batsman immediately went over the top.

His first attempt, on 63, gave England a half-chance. But Alastair Cook could not cling on with outstretched fingers running back from mid-off.

By the time Anderson missed a similar, but easier, chance - at mid-on when Haddin mis-pulled Broad on 113 - it was clear England were suffering from their long toil.

That was as near as they came too to a much-needed breakthrough until after tea, on a wicket probably at its best for batting on this middle day.

England finally ended the stand, more than 24 hours after it started.

Then, even with a maiden Test double-century in his sights, Hussey got lonely without his long-term partner - holing out in the leg-side deep off Finn to make it two wickets in three overs for the addition of eight runs.

Haddin had fallen to a one-handed diving catch at first slip by Collingwood, Swann finding the defensive edge from round the wicket.

In crease time, the partnership lasted more than six-and-a-half hours, and Haddin's share was 16 fours and a six from 287 balls.

Hussey was well into career-best territory before picking out deep midwicket with a pull, ending his 330-ball stay after 26 fours and a six.

Neither those wickets - nor that of Mitchell Johnson, bowled off his pads by Finn for a tortured, 19-ball duck, Peter Siddle or last out Xavier Doherty - significantly improved England's perilous position, though.

Strauss was spared the ignominy of a pair when he left the first ball of the second innings only to see it swing back and rap him on the pads.

Aleem Dar was unmoved and a review showed he was right to judge that the ball was snaking just over the stumps.

Ricky Ponting used five bowlers in the session without success and England will need much more of the same on day four to stand a chance of salvaging a draw.

Friday, November 26

Stumps, day two, Australia, 220-5, England 260

STEVEN Finn continued his steep learning curve in front of 35,000 partisan supporters as England and Australia cranked up their Ashes battle at the Gabba.

England's 21-year-old international novice fast bowler was in the thick of the action too during a titanic half-hour after lunch when the first Test lurched England's way today.

It proved a temporary surge which helped the tourists take four wickets for 72 runs in the middle session.

A rain-shortened day two of the series ended marginally in favour of Australia, thanks to back-to-form veteran Michael Hussey's unbeaten 81 in an unbroken stand of 77 with Brad Haddin.

The hosts therefore closed on 220 for five, in reply to England's apparently under-par 260 all out.

Hussey needed to be at his resourceful best, unfurling a succession of merciless pulls in his 144-ball stay so far, to defy England's resurgent bowlers.

Among them, James Anderson was the pick in an outstanding spell of 11-6-18-2 from the Stanley Street end either side of lunch.

Finn was sufficiently self aware to acknowledge others led the way, and that he needs to learn from them.

"I thought the other bowlers bowled fantastically well," said Finn, who almost had Hussey first ball - the edge dropped just short of Graeme Swann at second slip - and finished with two for 61.

The 6ft 8in seamer's first wicket came via an athletic caught-and-bowled down by his boots to see off limpet opener Simon Katich for a painstaking 50.

"Wickets give you confidence," he added.

"But there are still areas of my bowling that obviously I need to work on, having been hit for a few fours today, and it's something I'm looking to improve every time I bowl."

Finn's phlegmatic demeanour is at odds with his trade, but is an evident asset for a cricketer plunged into the Ashes after just eight Tests in less than a year.

"It's just another game of cricket," he believes.

"It's what you build it up to be in your head, and it was important I didn't build it up to be too big.

"That would have been detrimental to my performance.

"I'm used to playing (county) championship cricket in front of 20 people.

"But to have so many people watching has been fantastic. I'm loving it at the moment.

"A few times today, it didn't quite go to plan. But I'm young; I'm learning all the time - and it's important that I keep doing that and come back better.

"As a unit we've been brilliant. I need to make sure I put more balls in the right area tomorrow, because that's when I'm most dangerous."

He eventually got Michael Clarke caught behind, Matt Prior's 100th Test victim, but thought he had the Australia vice-captain for a duck off an inside edge much earlier - only for umpire Aleem Dar, and then DRS, to see things differently.

Hussey knew too the day might have turned out very differently for him and Australia, after his narrow escape first ball.

"It just goes to show how much of the game is a fine line," he said.

"Nicking that first one, I was hoping and praying it would fall short - and luckily it did.

"A foot or so more, and I would have been gone for a first-ball duck.

"But instead, I'm still there at the close - which is a nice feeling."

Thursday, November 25

08.23: Australia's hat-trick hero Peter Siddle said: "It's obviously good to wake up to your birthday in the morning and obviously to have that happen has been amazing, and hopefully the start of a good Ashes for us.

"The plan was pretty similar all day, to pitch it up, make them play, be patient and consistent with those lines.

"I got Cook and Prior with two balls like that and I think the third was a bit of adrenaline from the crowd, I bowled it fast."

07.45: Michael Vaughan on Test Match Special: "What a day that is for Australia. Ricky Ponting will be in that dressing-room now absolutely delighted with their start to the Ashes campaign. Let's look at it from their perspective - they bat all day tomorrow, one or two get big hundreds and then they can put enormous pressure on England in their second innings."

07.40: Well that is the end of play at the Gabba and there is little doubt that Australia are on top after day one. However, there is still hope for England if their bowlers can follow the lead of hat-trick hero Peter Siddle and bowl well when and where it matters on day two when the Australians will resume on 25-0.

07.10: How England could do with an early breakthrough here. But it has not started that well. Australia openers Shane Watson and Simon Katich are happy to watch the majority of balls pass by their off stump as James Anderson and Stuart Broad struggle to make any real impact.

07.00: Credible mentions to Cook, Bell and Pietersen for their batting, but England are going to need to turn their 40s, 60s and 70s into bigger scores if they are going to win the Ashes.

06.58: So that is the end of the first innings and what drama we have had in Brisbane. England looked to be coasting at 197-4 but then birthday-boy Siddle popped up with a stunning bowling display to snatch the initiative for the hosts. One man's performance has given his country the edge, now we hope England's bowlers have taken note of the way he bowled... fast, straight and pitched up.

06.55: Ah. Well, you knew it could not last as Jimmy tries the same shot again only to miss and have his leg stump knocked back by Doherty who finishes the innings off with two wickets. England all out for 260.

06.53: James Anderson has just played the shot of the day... get this... a reverse-sweep off Doherty to give him a boundary and take England up to 260-9.

06.49: Ian Bell was playing a blinder for England. He had nudged, nurdled, guided and thumped his way to 76 before holing out in the deep to Watson. England have limped over 250, but with only one wicket remaining, this is looking to be a woefully below-par score. 254-9.

06.19: Geoffrey Boycott on Test Match Special: "As a pure cricket lover I am delighted Siddle got a hat-trick because it was really good bowling. His plan to get rid of Cook was well-thought out and then to the new batsmen he pitched the ball right up, got it straight and bowled it quickly. There was no luck involved, it was quality bowling."

06.12: It certainly won't be Swann to stand up and score some runs as he becomes Peter Siddle's sixth victim of the day. LBW, no doubt about it... despite another pathetic referral from England. 228-8

06.00: Maybe that man is going to be Ian Bell? He has notched up another 50 and looks in very good nick.

05.55: How many times have we seen this from an English side touring Australia? Favourites for the Ashes? Well, we will see what they are made of now.

We need someone to stand up like Siddle did and lead his country's effort. Siddle has single-handedly given Australia the edge on this opening day, now we need someone to do the same for England.

05.52: Now that puts things into a different light. England were coasting on 197-4 and the pitch was seemingly doing nothing to scare the batsmen either at the crease or waiting in the wings. But now, well, England will be happy to make 250.

Just to re-cap. Cook was caught by Watson in the slips for 67, Prior was bowled first ball by a beauty and then Broad was LBW first ball. Peter Siddle has a five-for, a hat-trick and it is his birthday.

05.50: Well that was a waste of time... the ball is smacking middle stump and suddenly in five minutes England have slumped from 197-4 to 197-7 inside five minutes and three balls.

05.46: And he takes it!!!! Broad is out LBW first ball!!!! or is he? The umpire has given him out but Broad has called for a referral.

05.44: England are in danger of throwing this away as Siddle takes two wickets in two balls. First Cook departs as Siddle again shows how to bowl on this wicket with a pitched-up delivery that is edged through to Watson in the slips. Then, first ball, Prior has his stumps shattered by a stunning delivery that nips back... Siddle is on a hat-trick!!!

05.19: Suddenly the Australian bowlers have lost a little discipline and are bowling the odd wide and no ball... but just as I say that, Cook edges through the vacant gully area off Watson for four. 188-4.

05.06: So we are underway again and it is a steady start to play once again. England are struggling to score quick runs on this pitch because the Australians are bowling a tightish line and not giving too much away. Bell and Cook have brought up their 50 partnership. 176-4.

04.45: The rain has eased and seems to have passed by, which is great news. Tea has been taken now and England have matched their morning efforts by knocking up another 86-2 in the afternoon session and giving them a total of 172-4. Honours most definitely even at the moment and you can't help but think England's hopes for a big score hang with Cook and Bell who go in for their well-deserved cuppa on 60 and 26 respectively.

04.25: Rain is starting to fall at the Gabba...

04.16: The pitch is taking a bit of turn from Doherty. Graeme Swann should be licking his lips at the prospect of bowling on this... provided England get a lot of runs in the first place. Slow going though at the moment and there is a lot of hard work ahead. 157-4.

04.10: The Aussies use up another referral as Bell is beaten outside off-stump by a decent delivery from Johnson. None of the slips or wicket-keeper go up, but Simon Katich at short-leg is convinced. Ponting backs the judgement of his close-in fielder, but his judgement is wrong and Bell is proved not to have hit it at all. The Aussies have just the one review left now. 153-4.

04.06: That is 50 up for Cook. It has taken him a while (126 balls), but he is digging in and let's hope he can stick around for a good while yet. 151-4.

03.36: Oh dear. Now Collingwood is on his way back to the hutch. After driving sweetly down the ground for four, he edges another pitched-up Siddle delivery through to the slips and Marcus North gobbles up the chance. Two quick wickets from Siddle and England are in a spot of bother here. Ian Bell is next up. 125-4.

03.30: Now that was a real disappointment. KP had cracked a couple of lovely drives through the covers and was really looking focused until he went at a wider one from Siddle that was pitched up and moved slightly away. England need to dig deep here and regain the initiative. A score of over 400 is the minimum. 121-3.

03.26: Pietersen has gone for 43... but it is not Doherty that got him but Siddle. Just when he was looking really good, he drives down the wrong line and edges to a very happy and relieved Ponting in the slips. The Aussies needed that. England are 117-3.

03.20: With England, and Pietersen in particular, looking very comfortable, Ponting recalls spinner Doherty to the action. KP needs to keep his cool here. He is playing well and will look to take on the youngster, but he must keep his mind on the job and his concentration levels high. 117-2.

02.51: England have seemingly settled in well after lunch and are easing the ball around the park. The pitch looks easy-paced and there is little, if any, swing. England must make the most of this opportunity to get some big runs on the board. 102-2.

02.41: OK, so we are ready to get underway again. Loosener from Hilfenhaus and Cook pulls him to the boundary. Nice start.

02.00: England reach lunch on 86-2 and what a morning we have had. Strauss was out off the 3rd ball of the morning and then Trott was clean-bowled by Shane Watson. However, Kevin Pietersen (23) and Alastair Cook (29) have steadied the ship. I'm off for that pork pie and let's hope KP and Cook can lunch well and push on in the afternoon.

01.55: Johnson is back for what is likely to be the final over before lunch.

01.52: This may only be the opening session of the opening day of the opening Test, but crikey... every ball is crucial. There is so much tension. Even for me, the cat and the dog on this sofa in Wetherby!!!

01.48: Lucky, lucky Cook. The England opener smacks a square cut straight down the throat of debutant Doherty but despite seemingly having it in his hands, he drops it. Indeed, Doherty had three grabs at it before the ball finally hits the deck. Concentrate Cook, concentrate!!!!!!!!!!

01.40: First delivery is actually to Cook and it grips and turns back at the left hander... he bowls a couple to KP who takes an aggressive approach down the track and clips him through mid-wicket. 70-2.

01.36: Ah, the moment we have been waiting for as left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty comes on to bowl at KP.

01.35: Looking forward to lunch (at 2am!!!) for two reasons... firstly because England need to get in without further loss and secondly because I have a nice pork pie waiting in the fridge. Now that should keep me going for the next session.

01.32: Half and hour until lunch and KP fires a fierce straight drive back past Watson. England are 66-2.

01.19: Watson is bowling well. England need to get through this session and hope things get easier after lunch. 50-2 and Hilfenhaus is back.

01.15: I had forgotten how gut-wrenching it is to watch England bat in the Ashes. I fear a wicket with every delivery. Come on KP find your form and get some runs on the board.

01.14: Cook hammers his first four of the day, pulling Johnson to the boundary rope. 49-2

01.10: KP is the new man. Boy does he need a big score and boy do England need him to find his form.

01.08: England have lost their second wicket just as Trott and Cook were starting to look comfortable. Trott is the man to go as he attempts a drive to Shane Watson but misses... and is bowled. He goes for 29 and England are 41-2.

01.00: The first hour of the day is up and despite a terrible start, when Strauss was caught for a duck in the opening over, England's pairing of Cook and Trott are looking steady. 36-1.

00.50: Mitchell Johnson is on for the Australians. A fast opening over but England have steadied the ship and are now 30-1.

00.36: Trott edges Siddle but it falls just short of Ponting in the slips. Nervy times for England, but they have advanced to 23-1.

00.20: NOT OUT... sliding down leg... phew!!!! 10-1.

00.18: Big shout against Trott for LBW. The umpire says no, but Ponting has called for a review... hold your breath.

00.16: Michael Vaughan on Test Match Special gives his verdict on Strauss' wicket: "It's a poor ball, a ball he would normally hit for four, but it's just seamed back and cramped him for room. What a start for Australia!"

00.15: England are finally up and running thanks to one edgy four through point and then one nicely-timed clip through mid-wicket off his legs from Jonathan Trott. 8-1.

00.10: Another maiden for Australia and England are 0-1 off two overs.

00.04: Strauss just stood there for a few moments wondering what on earth he had done. It was a poor delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus, but Strauss just slammed it straight to Hussey. Trott is the new man.

00.02: Oh dear, oh dear... Andrew Strauss has just smashed a square cut straight to Mike Hussey and he is out. England are 0-1.

00.00 So here we go then, the players are on the field and we are about to get underway.

Wednesday, November 24

11.45pm: Getting nervous now. All the pre-match hype and bullish confidence is draining away... these Aussies are not just going to lie down and let us win, it is going to be a battle. And that battle starts very soon.

11.40pm: Here is how the two teams line-up...

Australia 1 Simon Katich, 2 Shane Watson, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Marcus North, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Xavier Doherty, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus.

England 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn.

11.31pm: Oh yes... first blood to England. We win the toss and Andrew Strauss has no hesitation in batting first. "Let's get the game started" says the England captain... he took the words right out of my mouth.

11.27pm: Get ready for news of the all-important toss... we need to win it and bat...bat...bat...until Friday.

11.05pm: TWEET: From Mark Pougatch on BBC 5live: Been to have a look at the wicket with @cricketanalyst. Chairman of selectors Greg Chappell & Geoff Miller out there. Experts say bat first

10.55pm: OK, so here we go then. The moment we have all been waiting for... The Ashes 2010. And tonight, to mark the opening day of the First Test, I will be running a live blog giving you all the key action from Brisbane.

So get the kettle on, bring out the duvet and settle down for the ride of your lives.

10am: TWEET: Michael Vaughan (VaughanCricket) Everyone is very excited over here... Might walk to the ground at 430am when I wake up.. Barmy army...

9am: Ricky Ponting has already named his 11-man team to face England at the Gabba, starting midnight tonight, UK time. Michael Clarke is fit to play but Doug Bollinger and Usman Khawaja have been left out.

England (probable - Strauss to name team at toss): AJ Strauss (captain), AN Cook, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, IR Bell, MJ Prior (wkt), SCJ Broad, GP Swann, ST Finn, JM Anderson.

Australia: RT Ponting (captain), SM Katich, SR Watson, MJ Clarke, MEK Hussey, MJ North, BJ Haddin (wkt), MG Johnson, XJ Doherty, PM Siddle, BW Hilfenhaus.

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Meet the teams: England

Meet the teams: Australia

The Ashes: Fixtures