ark400

The main reason I am thinking Ponting chose the bat was to do with the stick he took for bowling first last time at Edgbaston you think that played a part in his decision?

NFFC

I think that would be a key reason for him batting first, he wouldn't want to make the same mistake again. Maybe he would have bowled if the pitch looked good to bowl on, but I think he was always going to bat in a 50/50 situation like today.

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NFFC

Swann had Katich out lbw in his first over, Australia 85/1 after 19 overs.

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NFFC

Australia finish Day 1 on 126/1 off 30 overs. Watson is on 62 and Ponting on 17. England weren't accurate enough with the ball and the pitch looked great to bat on.

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NFFC

Thoughts for tomorrow? I think Australia will want 450-500 and then the chance to have a few overs at England.

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ark400

I agree I think if they have wickets in hand at lunch you may see the Aussie trying to up their rate to move the game forward yet get a decent 1st innings total somewhere in that 450-500 region

NFFC

England will need better accuracy and some early wickets to try and restrict Australia. We could see Ponting go past Border's record as leading Australian run scorer in Tests as well.

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ark400

wow what a start for England it couldnt have gotten much worse for Australia