Share

England all out for 260

Brisbane - England were all out for 260 after winning the toss late on the opening day of the first Ashes test against Australia at the Gabba on Thursday.

Ian Bell top-scored with 76 and Peter Siddle captured 6-54, including a hat-trick.

Siddle, preferred to Doug Bollinger in the starting 11 at the Gabba, swung the game Australia's way after removing the dangerous Pietersen and Collingwood during the middle session.

At tea, England, after winning the toss, were 172 for four with opening batsman Alastair Cook unbeaten on 60 in 244 minutes and Ian Bell 26 not out.

The wholehearted Siddle's second bowling spell proved productive when he snared the big wicket of Pietersen, who averages over 50 against Australia.

Pietersen yet again failed to go on after playing himself in and fell to Siddle for 43 in the 38th over.

Pietersen went on the front foot to drive only to get a thick edge and Ricky Ponting took a secure catch at second slip.

England's high-profile batsman was at the crease for 96 minutes and hammered some beautiful cover drives among his six boundaries.

Collingwood only lasted eight balls before falling in Siddle's next over, edging to Marcus North at third slip for four.

Siddle had taken 2-4 off nine balls.

In the morning session England lost the wickets of skipper Andrew Strauss off the third ball of the match and Jonathan Trott in the 14th over.

Strauss sliced a wide Ben Hilfenhaus delivery straight to Mike Hussey in the gully for a duck.

Strauss's dismissal follows his inglorious last series in Australia four years ago when he made just 247 runs at 24.70 and scored only one half-century in his 10 Test innings.

Watson bowled Trott for 29 with an inswinger on the last ball of his opening over which collected his off-stump.

Cook had batted through the opening two sessions after having a life on 26 when debutant test spinner Xavier Doherty put down a catch at point.

Australian skipper Ponting lost his two challenges when the TV umpire ruled against a lbw decision on Trott (8) in Siddle's second over and Bell (18) who survived an inconclusive catch off Johnson.

England have not won the Brisbane test since Mike Gatting's team prevailed by seven wickets six tours ago -- on the way to their last Australian series victory in 1986/87.

Teams:

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

England: AJ Strauss (capt), AN Cook, IJL Trott, KP Pietersen, PD Collingwood, IR Bell, MJ Prior (wk), SCJ Broad, GP Swann, JM Anderson, ST Finn
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE