1st Test: England v Australia at Lord's, 21-25 Jul 2005

Ball-by-Ball Commentary


Match State: Match start scheduled for 10.30am local time (9.30am GMT)

       A big hello and a very warm welcome to Cricinfo's coverage of the
        biggest Ashes series in a long, long time.
       The day everyone has been waiting for - July 21 - has finally
        arrived, and it is a perfect one for cricket.
       Lord's, the cathedral of cricket, is bathed in sunshine, and the
        stage is well and truly set. The moment of reckoning is
        near.
       No series has generated as much interest in recent time, and the
        time for talk is well and truly over.
       In a short while Michael Vaughan, the captain of a resurgent
        England team, will walk out to toss with Ricky Ponting, leading
        Australia for the first time in an Ashes series
       Before every Ashes series the hype is overwhelming, but this time
        around the excitement is real, for England have the guns
        in their armoury to stand up to Australia.
       Ponting acknowledges as much in his pre-match press conference,
        when he said:
        An Shes series is the biggest an Australia team ever plays and
        this one made more special by the way England team have played of
        late.
       England would do well to remember that Australia have not lost a
        Test match at Lord's since 1934.
       But, history is one thing, and today truly is a new day.
       Steve Harmison has proven himself as one of the best fast bowlers
        in the world
       He is well supported by Andrew Flintoff, Matthew Hoggard, Simon
        Jones and Ashley Giles.
       England's batting is also at its healthy best - Marcus Trescothick
        and Andrew Strauss get things under way.
       The classy Vaughan comes in at one-drop, followed by the promising
        and solid with Ian Bell at No. 4.
       The real explosiveness is in the middle order with Kevin Pietersen
       Geriant Jones, whose batting has never been in doubt tops off a
        most capable line-up.
       But let's not get too carried away just yet.
       Man for man Australia has the personnel to do as well or better
        than the England team.
       Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden have plundered English bowlers for
        years now.
       Hayden won't be pleased at suggestions that he is past his best and
        will want to prove a point.
       Ricky Ponting struggled for form at the start of the summer but
        roared back just in time
       Damien Martyn was at his silken best in the warm-up match against
        Leicestershire, scoring 154.
       Simon Katich is the strong, silent type in the middle order, all
        solidity
       Then there's the flash and excitement of Michael Clarke, who comes
        in one place behind Katich.
       Just when you've had enough of the Australian batting line-up, out
        walks Adam Gilchrist, the most destructive batsman in world
        cricket today
       The bowlers are no chumps either - Shane Warne for spin, Glenn
        McGrath, the eternal nemesis of English batsman, Brett Lee in
        barnstorming form and Jason Gillespie keen as anything to do well
        and silence his critics
       We're happy to tell you the captains have now made their way out to
        the middle for the toss, accompanied by Ranjan
        Madugalle, the former Sri Lankan cricketer, and match referee for
        the series
       News has just come in that Australia have won the toss and chosen
        to bat.
       Not particularly surprising considering the pitch at Lord's is
        traditionally good for batting to start with
       To recap, here are the teams for you:
       Australia: Langer, Hayden, Ponting, Martyn, Clarke, Katich,
        Gilchrist, Warne, Lee, Gillespie, McGrath
       England: Trescothick, Strauss, Vaughan, Bell, Pietersen, Flintoff,
        Geriant Jones, Giles, Hoggard, Harmison, Simon Jones
       The players are on the field now
       Michael Vaughan has his players around him in a huddle, going
        through a last pre-match chat
       Hayden and Langer now stride onto the field
       The appreciative and healthy crowd at Lord's cheers as this game is
        about to get under way
       It will be Justin Langer taking first strike and he will face Steve
        Harmison
   0.1 Harmison to Langer, no run, just short of a good length and outside
        the off stump, Langer watches the ball carefully and lets it go
        through to the wicketkeeper, and with that the Ashes are finally
        under way!
   0.2 Harmison to Langer, no run, just short of a good length once more,
        this time on the stumps, Justin Langer takes his eyes off the ball
        and cops a nasty blow on the arm, just above the elbow
       Langer in a bit of pain there. The ball hit him just above where
        the forearm protector ends. That is a painful blow. Errol Alcott
        the Australian physio has run on
       Already the first bit of action in this series
       Harmison right on the money from the word go here
   0.3 Harmison to Langer, three runs, and Langer responds in style,
        whipping a slightly fuller delivery through midwicket
       This brings Hayden to the crease
   0.4 Harmison to Hayden, no run, play and a miss! Hayden has a go at one
        outside the off stump and the ball swings just enough, and just
        late enough, to beat the bat
   0.5 Harmison to Hayden, FOUR, short and down the legside, Hayden fends
        awkwardly at it and the ball runs off down to fine-leg off the
        glove
   0.6 Harmison to Hayden, two runs, short ball, pulled away well wide of
        the midwicket fielder

End of over 1 (9 runs) Australia 9/0
SJ Harmison 1-0-9-0
JL Langer 3* (3b) ML Hayden 6* (3b 1x4)

   1.1 Hoggard to Langer, no run, fullish to begin with from Hoggard,
        Langer leans forward and has a poke, the ball squirts off to the
        legside
   1.2 Hoggard to Langer, FOUR, just slightly short and Langer wastes no
        time unveiling an aggressive shot, flaying the ball backward of
        point
   1.3 Hoggard to Langer, no run, down the legside and very full, swinging
        a bit as well, easily left alone
   1.4 Hoggard to Langer, no run, Langer has another heave, this time the
        ball comes in just a touch and goes between bat and pad to the
        wicketkeeper
   1.5 Hoggard to Langer, no run, once again down the legside, and once
        again left well alone as the ball shapes away
   1.6 Hoggard to Langer, no run, and another one down the legside to end
        the over

End of over 2 (4 runs) Australia 13/0
MJ Hoggard 1-0-4-0
ML Hayden 6* (3b 1x4) JL Langer 7* (9b 1x4)

   2.1 Harmison to Hayden, no run
   2.2 Harmison to Hayden, no run, down the leg side, the ball clips the
        pad as Hayden tries to work it to the on side, and runs down to
        Geriant Jones
   2.3 Harmison to Hayden, no run, far outside the off stump this time and
        Hayden watches the ball carefully but leaqves it alone to the
        wicketkeeper
   2.4 Harmison to Hayden, no run, once again very short and a bit wide
        from Harmison, Hayden has no interest in chasing that one
   2.5 Harmison to Hayden, one run, on the stumps this time and Hayden
        plays a stroke, punching the ball back past Harmison with the full
        face of the bat for a quick single
   2.6 Harmison to Langer, no run, A beauty from Harmison, on te stumps,
        lifting off a good length almost, Langer in two minds is cut in
        half and the ball sails through to Jones behind the stumps

End of over 3 (1 run) Australia 14/0
SJ Harmison 2-0-10-0
ML Hayden 7* (8b 1x4) JL Langer 7* (10b 1x4)

   3.1 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, full and on the off, the ball swings in
        late, that's just what Hoggard is looking for. Punched confidently
        to the off side
   3.2 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, once again full and shaping in to the
        left-handed Hayden. This time the whipping on-drive heads to mid-
        on
   3.3 Hoggard to Hayden, FOUR, down the leg side, and Hayden has no
        difficulty walking slightly across his stumps and working the ball
        away down to the fine-leg fence
   3.4 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, Hoggard gets back on target and Hayden
        is up to it, covering the swing with his broad bat, playing a
        straight drive so straight that it clatters onto the stumps at the
        non-striker's end
   3.5 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, once again just slipping onto the pads,
        Hoggard wants to avoid that. Hayden jabs it awkwardly to the on-
        side
   3.6 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, Much better ball this time around, on
        the off and swinging in a touch, Hayden drives back but Hoggard
        fields in his follow-through and flings the ball back towards the
        stumps

End of over 4 (4 runs) Australia 18/0
MJ Hoggard 2-0-8-0
JL Langer 7* (10b 1x4) ML Hayden 11* (14b 2x4)

   4.1 Harmison to Langer, no run, just short of a good length and outside
        the off, good bounce and carry. This time Langer decides to take
        the safe option and leaves the ball alone instead of havving a big
        heave
   4.2 Harmison to Langer, one run, fuller and on the off, no movement in
        the air, Langer brings the bat down firmly and pushes that one
        through the covers for an easy single
   4.3 Harmison to Hayden, no run, just short of a length, Harmison
        digging the ball in on a placid pitch, easily tucked away to the
        on-side
   4.4 Harmison to Hayden, no run, short one again and Hayden goes for the
        pull. He misses it completely and cops one on the helmet! Hayden
        jarred as the ball hits him smack on the badge
       Harmison has now struck both openers with well-directed short balls
       Hayden just takes his helmet off to check that everything is ok
   4.5 Harmison to Hayden, no run, and Harmison bangs another one in! This
        time Hayden leaves it alone. The crowd loves it and roars in
        apprciation of Harmison.
   4.6 Harmison to Hayden, no run, slightly fuller but well directed just
        outside the off stump, left alone to the keeper. End of a fine
        overfrom Harmison!

End of over 5 (1 run) Australia 19/0
SJ Harmison 3-0-11-0
JL Langer 8* (12b 1x4) ML Hayden 11* (18b 2x4)

       Don't go anywhere, the Ashes are well and truly under way here
   5.1 Hoggard to Langer, no run, full and on the off, that's Hoggard's
        length and line, quite different from Harmison who is more pacy
        and back of a length, and Langer watchfully defends
   5.2 Hoggard to Langer, (noball) FOUR, No-ball! is the call from the
        umpire, and the ball is short and wide as well, Langer loves it
        there, spanked magnificently through point
   5.2 Hoggard to Langer, no run, now it's down the leg side, not the best
        control from Hoggard, left well alone
   5.3 Hoggard to Langer, no run, just short of a length this time, still
        a bit of swing in to the left-handed Langer. Defended carefully
        back down the pitch.
   5.4 Hoggard to Langer, one run, Langer uses soft hands this time as the
        ball curls into him from the off side, the ball drops to the off
        side and the batsmen scamper through for a single
   5.5 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, outside the off, not much swing there,
        left alone without any difficulty
   5.6 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, full and on the stumps, pushed away to
        the off side to end the 6th over

End of over 6 (6 runs) Australia 25/0
MJ Hoggard 3-0-14-0 (1nb)
JL Langer 13* (17b 2x4) ML Hayden 11* (20b 2x4)

       Not the most convincing of starts from either batsman, but the
        scoreboard looks quite healthy at 25 for no loss after the first
        half-hour of play
   6.1 Harmison to Langer, no run, again just short of a length from
        Harmison, left well alone purely on height
   6.2 Harmison to Langer, no run, slightly shorter from Harmison and the
        ball climbs nicely as it goes past Langer who just opens up a
        shade to get out of the way
   6.3 Harmison to Langer, no run, outside the off this time and Langer
        has no trouble whatsoever leaving the ball. No chances against
        Harmison seems to be the plan at the moment
   6.4 Harmison to Langer, FOUR, overpitched and outside the off stump,
        that is a half-volley, Harmison's first bad ball, Langer welcomes
        it with a smile and cracks it through cover
   6.5 Harmison to Langer, one run, Now Harmison overcompensates and
        spears the ball onto the pads, Langer fiddles the ball away to the
        on-side for a single
   6.6 Harmison to Hayden, no run, Hayden watchfully leaves a trademark
        Harmison lifter alone

End of over 7 (5 runs) Australia 30/0
SJ Harmison 4-0-16-0
JL Langer 18* (22b 3x4) ML Hayden 11* (21b 2x4)

   7.1 Hoggard to Langer, one run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, Langer pushed the ball towards cover and runs, Pietersen
        sprints in and has a shy, if that had hit Langer was gone for all
        the world! Risky single that
   7.2 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, down the leg side again from Hoggard.
        Unless he takes a wicket this might well be the last over of this
        spell for him
   7.3 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, better line and length this time,
        outside the off, perhaps a touch too wide to make the batsman
        play, though, left alone easily to the wicketkeeper
   7.4 Hoggard to Hayden, one run, on the stumps this time and there is
        just a hint of late swing, Hayden plays it away to the off side
        with ease and saunters a single
   7.5 Hoggard to Langer, three runs, another poor delivery down the leg
        side, Langer tickles it away to fine-leg where Harmison is forced
        to dive to save the boundary
   7.6 Hoggard to Hayden, OUT: There's the peach from Hoggard. Perfectly
        pitched up, swinging in late, Hayden leans forward to drive and
        misses as the ball shatters the off stump! Hoggard strikes! Now
        you can bet he'll be bowling another over or two!

       Australia 35/1, Partnership of 35
       ML Hayden  b Hoggard  12 (25b 2x4 0x6)

End of over 8 (5 runs) Australia 35/1
MJ Hoggard 4-0-19-1 (1nb)
JL Langer 22* (24b 3x4) 

       Hoggard struggled early to consistently hit a line and length, but
        when he did get it all right it was a beauty. Hayden will be
        utterly disappointed, but you can see England are over the moon
       Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain, comes out to the middle at
        he fall of the first wicket
   8.1 Harmison to Langer, no run, short ball from Harmison, good pace and
        bounce, Langer drops his wrists and leaves the ball alone to the
        keeper
   8.2 Harmison to Langer, no run, once again just short of a length and
        lifting well, Langer shoulders arms and the ball sails through to
        Geriant Jones
   8.3 Harmison to Langer, no run, back of a length, on the leg stump and
        anglin in to Langer, defended to the on side
   8.4 Harmison to Langer, no run, plenty of pace and bounce from Harmison
        early on, and Langer is watchful
   8.5 Harmison to Langer, FOUR, outside the off, not quite full enough
        for the drive but Langer launches himself into it, driven on the
        up, and beautifully so, through point
   8.6 Harmison to Langer, no run, on the pads this time, tucking Langer
        up a bit, off the pad to the off side

End of over 9 (4 runs) Australia 39/1
SJ Harmison 5-0-20-0
RT Ponting 0* (0b) JL Langer 26* (30b 4x4)

   9.1 Hoggard to Ponting, (noball) no run, No-ball from Hoggard as
        Ponting takes his first delivery, it's outside the off and goes
        through to the keeper
   9.1 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, full and swinging away, Ponting drives
        hard at it and the edge flies to Pietersen in a close gully, and
        he puts down a sharp chance!
   9.2 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, down the leg side and Ponting won't
        play at that
   9.3 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, and again the ball slips well down the
        leg side
   9.4 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, on the stumps, just short of a length,
        Ponting chops the ball down awkwardly
   9.5 Hoggard to Ponting, three runs, on the pads and Ponting has no
        trouble getting off the mark flicking that one through square leg
   9.6 Hoggard to Langer, no run, fullish and outside the off, defended
        with hard hands to point

End of over 10 (4 runs) Australia 43/1
MJ Hoggard 5-0-23-1 (2nb)
RT Ponting 3* (6b) JL Langer 26* (31b 4x4)

  10.1 Harmison to Ponting, bye: one run, short but badly directed, well
        down the leg side, Ponting leaves it alone and Geriant Jones can't
        stop it properly either
  10.2 Harmison to Langer, two runs
  10.3 Harmison to Langer, three runs, again on the pads and once more
        Langer has no trouble in clipping the ball off his pads through
        the big gap at midwicket
  10.4 Harmison to Ponting, no run, and it is Ponting's turn now! Short
        ball, Ponting goes for the pull and cops a nasty blow on the grill
        of the helmet
       Another disruption in play here as the helmet seems to have jammed
        on Ponting's face and caused a bit of bleeding
       It looks a bit gory there as the blood pours down Ponting's cheek,
        but it's not as bad as it looks
       The physio has come onto the field and is attending to Ponting
       Meanwhile the umpires have called for drinks

Match State: Drinks

       The physio is still trying to stop the bleeding on Ponting's face
       Ponting taking the treatment quite bravely here - it looks like he
        might even be getting a stitch or two
       Now there's a plaster come on, just between his right ear and eye
  10.5 Harmison to Ponting, one run, just slipping onto the pads, and
        Ponting walks across and lkncks the ball down to fine-leg to pick
        up a single and take Australia to 50
  10.6 Harmison to Langer, no run, slightly fuller, very quick again from
        Harmison, Langer defends with utmost care, the ball goes hard onto
        the pitch and bounces back towards the keeper

End of over 11 (7 runs) Australia 50/1
SJ Harmison 6-0-26-0
RT Ponting 4* (9b) JL Langer 31* (34b 4x4)

  11.1 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, good length and line, just on the off
        and shaping away from the right-handed Ponting who moves early and
        defends well to the off side
  11.2 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, down the leg side this time, Ponting
        thinks about playing at it but leaves the ball alone in th eend
  11.3 Hoggard to Ponting, no run, Hoggard gets one to come back in now,
        almost like an offcutter, Ponting plays and misses and is hit on
        the pad
  11.4 Hoggard to Ponting, one run, just short of a good length and
        outside the off, Ponting eases the ball through the off side for a
        single
  11.5 Hoggard to Langer, no run, full and swinging in, driven to the on
        side
  11.6 Hoggard to Langer, no run, slightly slower from Hoggard, almost
        floating down the pitch, Langer defends very carefully, watching
        the swing till bat meets ball

End of over 12 (1 run) Australia 51/1
MJ Hoggard 6-0-24-1 (2nb)
RT Ponting 5* (13b) JL Langer 31* (36b 4x4)

  12.1 Harmison to Ponting, FOUR, down the leg side from Harmison and
        Ponting wastes no time walking across and glancing the ball fine
        for four
  12.2 Harmison to Ponting, no run, left alone this time, Ponting not
        going after everything, just taking his time getting set
  12.3 Harmison to Ponting, no run, on the off, climbing up from a decent
        length, Ponting is more than up to the task, clipping the ball to
        the leg side with a straight bat
  12.4 Harmison to Ponting, no run, fuller this time and played gently
        back down the pitch
  12.5 Harmison to Ponting, OUT: Harmison strikes! Just short of driving
        length and outside the off, Ponting drives and edges, the ball
        carries well to Strauss in the slips who takes an important catch!

       Australia 55/2, Partnership of 20
       RT Ponting  c Strauss b Harmison  9 (18b 1x4 0x6)
       JL Langer 31* (36b 4x4) SJ Harmison 6.5-0-30-1

       Just reward for Harmison there, he's bowled a magnificent spell on
        a pitch that doesn't have too much in it for fast bowlers
       England are overjoyed, and why not? Thatw as a key wicket.
       Martyn is the new batsman
  12.6 Harmison to Martyn, two runs, just short of a length and outside
        the off, Martyn waits on the ball and caresses it through the off
        side for a brace to get off the mark

End of over 13 (6 runs) Australia 57/2
SJ Harmison 7-0-32-1
JL Langer 31* (36b 4x4) DR Martyn 2* (1b)

  13.1 Hoggard to Langer, no run, quicker and quite full from Hoggard,
        defended awkwardly to the on side
  13.2 Hoggard to Langer, FOUR, short and wide, you don't bowl there to
        someone who grew up batting at the WACA! Cut brutally for four
  13.3 Hoggard to Langer, two runs, this one is eased away down to fine
        leg for a couple, Langer is scoring freely here
  13.4 Hoggard to Langer, three runs, full and swinging in towards the off
        stump, punched well through cover. That takes Langer to 39, and
        1000 runs versus England
  13.5 Hoggard to Martyn, no run, outside the off, swinging away, Martyn
        very watchful early on, leaves the ball well alone to Jones behind
        the stumps
  13.6 Hoggard to Martyn, no run, a bit wider this time from Hoggard and
        Martyn is not even tempted to play a shot

End of over 14 (9 runs) Australia 66/2
MJ Hoggard 7-0-33-1 (2nb)
JL Langer 40* (40b 5x4) DR Martyn 2* (3b)

       The first bowling change of the day - Andrew Flintoff replaces
        Harmison at the Pavilion End
  14.1 Flintoff to Langer, no run, just short of a good length and on the
        stumps, flintoff gets it on target right away, Langer chops the
        ball to the off side
  14.2 Flintoff to Langer, no run, once again Langer is watchful as he
        dabs the ball away. Flintoff getting good bounce from a decent
        length
  14.3 Flintoff to Langer, no run, another ball bang on target from
        Flintoff - just on the stumps and short of a length - and Langer
        is forced to defend back ddown the pitch
  14.4 Flintoff to Langer, OUT: short ball, Langer goes for the pull but
        can't get hold of it. The ball flies high in the air but Harmison
        watches it carefully and settles under it at square leg

       Australia 66/3, Partnership of 11
       JL Langer  c Harmison b Flintoff  40 (44b 5x4 0x6)
       DR Martyn 2* (3b) A Flintoff 0.4-0-0-1

       Australia are in disarray at 66 for 3 and Flintoff has struck with
        his first over in an Ashes Test!
       England off to a roaring start in their campaign to wrest back the
        Ashes
  14.5 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, just short of a length, dug in , Clarke
        defends to the on side
  14.6 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, fuller and on the stumps, Flintoff
        bowling very intelligently here, Clarke is up to the task and
        works the ball to the on side

End of over 15 (maiden) Australia 66/3
A Flintoff 1-1-0-1
DR Martyn 2* (3b) MJ Clarke 0* (2b)

       Another bowling change, Simon Jones comes into the attak
  15.1 SP Jones to Martyn, OUT: Simon Jones strikes with his first
        delivery! Just short of a length and oustdie the off, Martyn goes
        for the shot and can only manage an edge to the keeper!

       Australia 66/4, Partnership of 0
       DR Martyn  c GO Jones b SP Jones  2 (4b 0x4 0x6)
       MJ Clarke 0* (2b) SP Jones 0.1-0-0-1

       Jones has struck with his very first ball and Australia are now in
        deep trouble at 66 for 4!
  15.2 SP Jones to Katich, no run, Jones gets his second ball through as
        well, good pace and bounce, Katich leaves the ball alone to the
        keeper
  15.3 SP Jones to Katich, one run, on the pads, clipped down to fine leg
        for a single
  15.4 SP Jones to Clarke, FOUR, outside the off and swinging away, Clarke
        drives at it. The ball goes off the bat, but not especially
        convincingly, down to the third man fence
  15.5 SP Jones to Clarke, no run, this one is left alone outside the off
        stump
  15.6 SP Jones to Clarke, no run, a good outswinger from simon Jones,
        Clarke watches it well and leaves iot alone

End of over 16 (5 runs) Australia 71/4
SP Jones 1-0-5-1
SM Katich 1* (2b) MJ Clarke 4* (5b 1x4)

  16.1 Flintoff to Katich, no run, Flintoff bangs one in very short,
        Katich takes note and lets the ball go to the keeper. Good stuff
        this from flintoff, taking over from where Harmison left off
  16.2 Flintoff to Katich, no run
  16.3 Flintoff to Katich, (noball) no run, just short of a length and on
        the stumps, played back down the pitch
       Flintoff now comes round the wicket
  16.3 Flintoff to Katich, no run, Katich struggles as the ball jags in
        towards his pads, awkward defense but the ball goes off the pads
  16.4 Flintoff to Katich, one run, a touch down the leg side and Katich
        is able to nurdle the ball away down to fine leg for a single and
        put clarke back on strike
  16.5 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, short one, Clarke sees it early though,
        and ducks well under it
  16.6 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, outside the off this time and quite
        full, Clarke lets the ball go through to the keeper

End of over 17 (2 runs) Australia 73/4
A Flintoff 2-1-2-1 (1nb)
SM Katich 2* (7b) MJ Clarke 4* (7b 1x4)

  17.1 SP Jones to Katich, no run, just short of a driving length and
        outside the off, a hint of swing in to the left-handed Katich,
        left alone to the keeper
  17.2 SP Jones to Katich, no run, Jones takes his turn to bang it in
        short, but it's not a threat, Katich leaves it alone
  17.3 SP Jones to Katich, no run, full this time but far too wide outside
        the off stump, left alone to the keeper
  17.4 SP Jones to Katich, wide: no run, sprayed so far wide by an over-
        enthusiastic Simon Jones that Rudi Koertzen has to call that a
        wide!
  17.4 SP Jones to Katich, FOUR, overpitched and outside the off, Katich
        waits on the ball and drives it beautifully through cover to pick
        up his first boundary
  17.5 SP Jones to Katich, no run, outside the off and full, this one
        shapes away from the left-handed Katich. Through to the keeper
  17.6 SP Jones to Katich, no run, outside the off and left alone

End of over 18 (5 runs) Australia 78/4
SP Jones 2-0-10-1 (1w)
MJ Clarke 4* (7b 1x4) SM Katich 6* (13b 1x4)

  18.1 Flintoff to Clarke, no run
  18.2 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, short and a bit of width outside the
        off, Clarke goes for the cut but the ball goes off the bottom edge
        to the slips
  18.3 Flintoff to Clarke, (noball) no run
  18.3 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, just short of a length and slnting in
        to Clarke, inside edge onto the pads
  18.4 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, outside the off, and it is a quick one,
        Clarke shapes to leave the ball alone but the ball comes in and
        hits the bat
  18.5 Flintoff to Clarke, one run, tucked away towards midwicket for a
        single
  18.6 Flintoff to Katich, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, pushed to point

End of over 19 (2 runs) Australia 80/4
A Flintoff 3-1-4-1 (2nb)
MJ Clarke 5* (13b 1x4) SM Katich 6* (14b 1x4)

  19.1 SP Jones to Clarke, one run, full and on the pads, Clarke flicks it
        away with a clever use of the wrists, only a single as there's a
        man on the fence at square leg
  19.2 SP Jones to Katich, no run, outside the off, this one shoots
        straight though, left alone
  19.3 SP Jones to Katich, no run
  19.4 SP Jones to Katich, no run, outside the off, just short of a
        driving length, this one from Jones angles away from the left0-
        handed Katich, no stroke offered and the ball goes through to the
        keeper
  19.5 SP Jones to Katich, no run, quick one, full, swinging in late,
        Katich shiuffles across and drives, the ball beats bat thanks to
        late inswing and sneaks between bat and pad and goes to the keeper
  19.6 SP Jones to Katich, no run, left alone outside the off, through to
        the keeper, end of another good over from Jones

End of over 20 (1 run) Australia 81/4
SP Jones 3-0-11-1 (1w) - Nursery End
MJ Clarke 6* (14b 1x4) SM Katich 6* (19b 1x4)

  20.1 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, just back of a length and slanting in
        to the right-handed clarke. Defended to the on side
  20.2 Flintoff to Clarke, no run, clipped to the on side but straight to
        the man under the helmet
  20.3 Flintoff to Clarke, one run, attempted yorker speare in, dug out to
        the on side for a single
  20.4 Flintoff to Katich, (noball) no run
  20.4 Flintoff to Katich, no run, outside the off and left well alone
  20.5 Flintoff to Katich, no run, shoirt of driving length once more,
        good pace and carry from Flintoff. Katich is being very watchful
        and leaves the ball alone
  20.6 Flintoff to Katich, no run, shorter and outside the off, once again
        the ball sails through to the keeper

End of over 21 (2 runs) Australia 83/4
A Flintoff 4-1-6-1 (3nb) - Pavilion End
MJ Clarke 7* (17b 1x4) SM Katich 6* (23b 1x4)

  21.1 SP Jones to Clarke, no run, full and way down the leg side, off the
        pad to the keeper
  21.2 SP Jones to Clarke, no run, outside the off, a shade of away
        movement, Clarke shoulders arms and the ball goes through to the
        keeper
  21.3 SP Jones to Clarke, FOUR, Clarke gets hold of this one - a touch
        too straight - well and clips iot through midwicket for his second
        boundary
  21.4 SP Jones to Clarke, no run, outside the off and swining away,
        Clarke has a big drive without quite moving his feet, the ball
        goies just past the edge to the keeper
  21.5 SP Jones to Clarke, OUT: Full delivery, pitches just outside the
        line of off stump and hurries onto Clarke. He plays and misses and
        is struck on the pad. Loud shout from the England team and slow
        finger of death from Rudi Koertzen sends Clarke on his way

       Australia 87/5, Partnership of 21
       MJ Clarke  lbw b SP Jones  11 (22b 2x4 0x6)
       SM Katich 6* (23b 1x4) SP Jones 3.5-0-15-2 (1w)

       Incredible scenes here at Lord's! A resurgent England team have
        Australia on the run.
       Australia have lost five wickets and it isn't even lunch on the
        first day yet.
       But here comes Adam Gilchrist. He has come in with Australia
        struggling before and turned things around. Can he dpo it again?
  21.6 SP Jones to Gilchrist, no run, just short of a length and outside
        the off, Gilchrist gets well behind the ball and defends

End of over 22 (4 runs) Australia 87/5
SP Jones 4-0-15-2 (1w) - Nursery End
SM Katich 6* (23b 1x4) AC Gilchrist 0* (1b)

  22.1 Flintoff to Katich, no run, short of a length and outside the off,
        Katich calm as ever, lets iot go
  22.2 Flintoff to Katich, one run, angled into Katich, he defends
        awkwardly, the ball runs down to the off side
  22.3 Flintoff to Gilchrist, no run, quick, perfectly pitched just
        outside the off and shaping away, Gilchrist plays and misses. That
        is a cracker of a ball!
  22.4 Flintoff to Gilchrist, FOUR, After playing and missing at one
        Gilchrist gets well on top of the next one and chops it down to
        the point fence
  22.5 Flintoff to Gilchrist, (noball) no run, A no-ball from Flintoff to
        extend this over, probably the last one before lunch
  22.5 Flintoff to Gilchrist, FOUR, outside the off and full, Gilchrist
        has a go, the ball flies over gully to the fence
  22.6 Flintoff to Gilchrist, no run, full one on the pads,, Gilchrsit
        tries to work the ball to the leg side but misses. The ball goes
        off the pads towards the slips cordon

End of over 23 (10 runs) Australia 97/5
A Flintoff 5-1-16-1 (4nb) - Pavilion End
SM Katich 7* (25b 1x4) AC Gilchrist 8* (6b 2x4)

Match State: Lunch - Day 1

       And that, is lunch on the first day of the first Ashes Test of this
        series
       England are well and truly on on top. Who would have imagined
        Australia would be five down with less than hundred on the board
        before lunch on the first day?
       This has set up a cracking day
       The players are off for lunch now, and Cricinfo's coverage will
        return minutes before play starts, in about 30 minutes. That's at
        12.10 GMT.
       Welcome back to Cricinfo's coverage of the first Test. The post-
        lunch session is about to get under way.
       It will be simon Jones to get us started, and Simon Katich facing
  23.1 SP Jones to Katich, no run, good line and length, Jones on the spot
        first thing after lunch, Katich is up to it. Defends watchfully to
        the off side
  23.2 SP Jones to Katich, no run, back of a length and outside the off
        stump, chopped away nicely but Giles dives to his right and stops
        the ball at gully
  23.3 SP Jones to Katich, no run, just short of a good length and on the
        stumps. Defended to the on side.
  23.4 SP Jones to Katich, no run, just short of a driving length this
        time. Outside the off stump. A shade of inswing. Left alone to the
        wicketkeeper.
  23.5 SP Jones to Katich, one run, just short of a good length once more.
        A shade outside the off stump. Katich goes back and across and
        pushes the ball to the off side for a single.
  23.6 SP Jones to Gilchrist, no run, A bit quicker to gilchrist, on the
        off, defended to the off side. Good tidy over after lunch from
        jones

End of over 24 (1 run) Australia 98/5
SP Jones 5-0-16-2 (1w) - Nursery End
SM Katich 8* (30b 1x4) AC Gilchrist 8* (7b 2x4)

  24.1 Flintoff to Katich, no run, left alone to the keeper who tidies up
        and ensures there are no extras
  24.2 Flintoff to Katich, no run, outside the off stump from round the
        wickets, angled in towards the left-handed Katich, who shoulders
        arms and lets the ball go through to the keeper
  24.3 Flintoff to Katich, (noball) no run, No-ball again, left alone to
        the keeper
  24.3 Flintoff to Katich, no run, sprayed well down the leg side, no
        trouble at all for Katich there
  24.4 Flintoff to Katich, (noball) no run, And the hundred comes up with
        a no-ball. Flintoff seems to be struggling a bit here just pushing
        himself for that extra yard of pace
  24.4 Flintoff to Katich, no run, good pace and bounce this time as the
        ball lands outside the off and passes Simon Katich on its way to
        the keeper
  24.5 Flintoff to Katich, no run, once again Katich is happy to wait and
        watch, leaving the ball alone to the keeper as it is harmlessly
        outside the off stump
  24.6 Flintoff to Katich, no run, full, fast and way down the leg side,
        somehow Jones scrambles to his right behind the stumps and cleans
        up

End of over 25 (2 runs) Australia 100/5
A Flintoff 6-1-18-1 (6nb) - Pavilion End
AC Gilchrist 8* (7b 2x4) SM Katich 8* (38b 1x4)

  25.1 SP Jones to Gilchrist, legbye: one run, down the leg side, short,
        Gilchrist plays and misses. Off the pads down to fine leg.
  25.2 SP Jones to Katich, legbye: two runs, This one from Jones swings in
        late, and quite sharply and hits the pad and runs down to third
        man for a leg bye
  25.3 SP Jones to Katich, FOUR, short and slipping down the leg side,
        Katich swivels and pulls it fine to the fence past the man at fine
        leg
  25.4 SP Jones to Katich, no run, left alone to the keeper
  25.5 SP Jones to Katich, no run, and again Katich watchfully lets the
        ball go through to the keeper
  25.6 SP Jones to Katich, no run, full and swinging into the pads,
        clipped to the on side

End of over 26 (7 runs) Australia 107/5
SP Jones 6-0-20-2 (1w) - Nursery End
AC Gilchrist 8* (8b 2x4) SM Katich 12* (43b 2x4)

  26.1 Flintoff to Gilchrist, no run, full and on the off, slanting in to
        Gilchrist, defended to the on side with a bat straighter than an
        arrow
  26.2 Flintoff to Gilchrist, FOUR, overpitched again but this time
        there's a bit of width for gilchrist to free his arms, and he does
        so fearlessly and the ball sails over the gully region for a
        boundary
  26.3 Flintoff to Gilchrist, FOUR, once again just a touch short. Would
        have been ok to most batsmen, but this is Gilchrist. He rocks back
        and creams the ball through the cover-point region
  26.4 Flintoff to Gilchrist, no run, chopped down towards the off side
  26.5 Flintoff to Gilchrist, (noball) one run
  26.5 Flintoff to Katich, no run
  26.6 Flintoff to Katich, no run

End of over 27 (10 runs) Australia 117/5
A Flintoff 7-1-28-1 (7nb) - Pavilion End
AC Gilchrist 17* (13b 4x4) SM Katich 12* (45b 2x4)

  27.1 SP Jones to Gilchrist, FOUR, just a touch short and Gilchrist
        climbs into it, pulling in front of midwicket
  27.2 SP Jones to Gilchrist, one run, single stolen to midwicket
  27.3 SP Jones to Katich, no run
  27.4 SP Jones to Katich, no run, defended
  27.5 SP Jones to Katich, no run, pushed to the off side
  27.6 SP Jones to Katich, no run, full and outside the off stump, left
        alone to the keeper

End of over 28 (5 runs) Australia 122/5
SP Jones 7-0-25-2 (1w) - Nursery End
AC Gilchrist 22* (15b 5x4) SM Katich 12* (49b 2x4)

  28.1 Flintoff to Gilchrist, no run, full and on the stumps, angled in
        from wide of the crease, well defended back down the pitch
  28.2 Flintoff to Gilchrist, FOUR, short and a bit of width, Gilchrist
        goes for it, all arms whirling, the ball flies over the slips and
        races to the fence
  28.3 Flintoff to Gilchrist, OUT: Flintoff gets sweet revenge! Full and
        shaping away late, Gilchrist goes for the big drive, the ball does
        just enough to beat the middle of the bat and take the outside
        edge before disappearing into Geraint Jones's waiting gloves

       Australia 126/6, Partnership of 39
       AC Gilchrist  c GO Jones b Flintoff  26 (18b 6x4 0x6)
       SM Katich 12* (49b 2x4) A Flintoff 7.3-1-32-2 (7nb)

       That's the big one! England are well and truly in control of this
        game now. Make no mistake about that!
       Shane Warne is the new man in with Australia struggling at 126 for
        6
  28.4 Flintoff to Warne, (noball) no run, Flintoff follows the wicket up
        with a no-ball
  28.4 Flintoff to Warne, legbye: one run, on the pads, Warne walks across
        and tries to whip the ball to fine leg, off the pads
  28.5 Flintoff to Katich, no run, full and on the stumps to Katich, who
        defends carefully after sizing up the line and length of the
        delivery
  28.6 Flintoff to Katich, no run, outside the off this time and Katich is
        not tempted. Left alone to the keeper

End of over 29 (6 runs) Australia 128/6
A Flintoff 8-1-33-2 (8nb) - Pavilion End
SK Warne 0* (2b) SM Katich 12* (51b 2x4)

  29.1 SP Jones to Warne, no run, short ball outside the off, swinging
        away as well, Warne thinks about going for the pull and then
        decides against it
  29.2 SP Jones to Warne, FOUR, short ball, this time on the stumps. Warne
        goes for a half-hearted pull and somehow manages to get it away
        from the fielder at fine leg
  29.3 SP Jones to Warne, one run, quick one, pushed through a bit fuller,
        Warne jams the bat down on the ball and gets it away to the leg
        side for a single to bring Katich back on strike
  29.4 SP Jones to Katich, no run, fuller and outside the off, Katich in
        no mood to nibble leaves it well alone
  29.5 SP Jones to Katich, FOUR, slightly fuller this time and Simon
        Katich won't pass up such an offering. He gets his front foot well
        down the ground and times the ball sweetly past mid-off for four
  29.6 SP Jones to Katich, no run, swinging full delivery, defensive shot
        played and missed. Rapped on the pad. but no danger of an lbw
        shout.

End of over 30 (9 runs) Australia 137/6
SP Jones 8-0-34-2 (1w) - Nursery End
SK Warne 5* (5b 1x4) SM Katich 16* (54b 3x4)

  30.1 Flintoff to Warne, no run, short one speared in towards Warne's
        chest. He backs away and fends the ball towards the slips
  30.2 Flintoff to Warne, FOUR, another well-direct short ball! This one
        screams up at Warne's throat and all he can do is open the face of
        the bat and fend the ball over the slips cordon. A lucky boundary
        that
  30.3 Flintoff to Warne, FOUR, A bit of width and Warne gets a legitimate
        boundary carving the ball over point for four
  30.4 Flintoff to Warne, no run, slightly fuller, outside the off, Warne
        has a go but misses. The ball goes past the edge to the keeper.
  30.5 Flintoff to Warne, no run, Flintoff goes for the swinging yorker
        but Warne sees it early enough to keep the ball out
  30.6 Flintoff to Warne, one run, another full one, this time slipping
        down the leg side, clipped away to fine leg

End of over 31 (9 runs) Australia 146/6
A Flintoff 9-1-42-2 (8nb) - Pavilion End
SK Warne 14* (11b 3x4) SM Katich 16* (54b 3x4)

  31.1 SP Jones to Warne, no run, Jones bowls another beauty, quick and
        swinging away late. Warne has a poke but misses. Dangerously close
        there!
  31.2 SP Jones to Warne, FOUR, just short of a driving length, but we
        know Warne isn't one to resist temptation, he goes for a flowing
        drive on the up and sends the ball sailing to the cover fence
  31.3 SP Jones to Warne, no run, closer to the stumps and quick enough to
        hurry Warne. He defends awkwardly to the on side
  31.4 SP Jones to Warne, no run, Warne drives to mid-off, Vaughan fields
        and has a massive shy at the stumps, Warne just manages to get out
        of the way of the ball, but falls firmly on the most padded part
        of his body doing so! Laughter all around!
  31.5 SP Jones to Warne, FOUR, short one and Warne responds with a
        rasping pull that beats both the men on the fence on the leg side
  31.6 SP Jones to Warne, one run, Warne keeps the strike with a glance to
        fine leg

End of over 32 (9 runs) Australia 155/6
SP Jones 9-0-43-2 (1w) - Nursery End
SK Warne 23* (17b 5x4) SM Katich 16* (54b 3x4)

       Harmison comes back into the attack, replacing Flintoff at the
        Pavilion End.
  32.1 Harmison to Warne, no run, Harmison begins with a full one to
        Warne. Defended back down the pitch.
  32.2 Harmison to Warne, one run, short ball, Warne fends uncomfortably.
        The ball bobs up towards Strauss at gully who leps up and
        stretches fully to reach for the ball, but can only get fingertips
        to the ball! Almost another wicket there
  32.3 Harmison to Katich, two runs, on the pads and full to Katich who
        calmly places the ball down to fine leg for a brace
  32.4 Harmison to Katich, no run
  32.5 Harmison to Katich, no run, defended back down the pitch to the
        bowler
  32.6 Harmison to Katich, no run, full and on the pads, clipped to the
        leg side

End of over 33 (3 runs) Australia 158/6
SJ Harmison 8-0-35-1 - Pavilion End
SK Warne 24* (19b 5x4) SM Katich 18* (58b 3x4)

  33.1 SP Jones to Warne, one run, on the pads, Warne doesn't mind it
        there. Flicked down to backward square leg for a single
  33.2 SP Jones to Katich, no run, just short of a good length and on the
        off, punched efficiently to the off side
  33.3 SP Jones to Katich, no run, full and on the off, driven well back
        down the pitch. Jones stretches and fields well in his follow-
        through
  33.4 SP Jones to Katich, FOUR, just a bit of width, a touch overpitched,
        and Katich gets down on one knee and plays a languid cover-drive!
        Shot!
  33.5 SP Jones to Katich, no run, down the leg side, Katich shapes to
        pull but misses
  33.6 SP Jones to Katich, no run, just short of a length and on the off,
        defended

End of over 34 (5 runs) Australia 163/6
SP Jones 10-0-48-2 (1w) - Nursery End
SK Warne 25* (20b 5x4) SM Katich 22* (63b 4x4)

  34.1 Harmison to Warne, bye: FOUR, Warne walks across his stump and
        Harmison's quick delivery swinging far down the leg side beats
        everyone and runs away for four byes
  34.2 Harmison to Warne, no run, full but far outside the off stump,
        Warne drives with pad well in front of bat, the ball ricochets off
        the pad to the off side
  34.3 Harmison to Warne, no run, glance played and missed to a ball
        slipping down the leg side, off the pad
  34.4 Harmison to Warne, no run, once again Warne walks right across his
        stumps, drives, but is happy to take the ball on the pad
  34.5 Harmison to Warne, one run, This time Warne gets bat to ball,
        walking across and flicking to fine leg for a single
  34.6 Harmison to Katich, no run, just short of a good length and outside
        the off, left alone to the keeper

End of over 35 (5 runs) Australia 168/6
SJ Harmison 9-0-36-1 - Pavilion End
SK Warne 26* (25b 5x4) SM Katich 22* (64b 4x4)

       Hoggard comes back at the Nursery End, replacing simon Jones
  35.1 Hoggard to Warne, one run, overpitched and outside the off, Hoggard
        looking for some swing here, driven through cover for a single
  35.2 Hoggard to Katich, one run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, eased past gully for a single
  35.3 Hoggard to Warne, no run, perfectly pitched outswinger from
        Hoggard, Warne plays and misses
  35.4 Hoggard to Warne, one run, straighter and on the pads, Warne tucks
        it away to fine leg for a single
  35.5 Hoggard to Katich, FOUR, outside the off, no swing on that one,
        Katich drives magnificently off the back foot through point
  35.6 Hoggard to Katich, no run, fuller and outside the off, left well
        alone to the keeper

End of over 36 (7 runs) Australia 175/6
MJ Hoggard 8-0-40-1 (2nb) - Nursery End
SK Warne 28* (28b 5x4) SM Katich 27* (67b 5x4)

Match State: Drinks

       Rudi Koertzen signals drinks and the players can take a well-earned
        break.
       Australia may have lost a lot of wickets, but they are running
        along at a fast clip. At the moment they are going at over 4.8 and
        over, and they don't look like slowing down.
  36.1 Harmison to Warne, OUT: Warne gets a bit too cheeky, walking across
        his stumps. Harmison spears one in full, fast and on the leg
        stump. The stump flies out of the ground and Warne's entertaining
        cameo comes to an end

       Australia 175/7, Partnership of 49
       SK Warne  b Harmison  28 (29b 5x4 0x6)
       SM Katich 27* (67b 5x4) SJ Harmison 9.1-0-36-2

       A wicket right after the drinks break. Harmison has done just as
        his captain wouold have wanted. Australia in serious trouble now.
       Brett Lee is in, and he too can bat a bit.
       Expect a few short ones to fly from Harmison to Lee
  36.2 Harmison to Lee, three runs, Harmison decides to begin with a full
        one and Lee manages to get it away through cover
  36.3 Harmison to Katich, OUT: Short one, Katich goes for it, sensing
        he's running out of partners, the pull is mistimed, th eball goes
        off the edge and flies straight up in the air. The wicketkeeper
        waves the slip cordon away and settles under the catch!

       Australia 178/8, Partnership of 3
       SM Katich  c GO Jones b Harmison  27 (68b 5x4 0x6)
       B Lee 3* (1b) SJ Harmison 9.3-0-39-3

       Australia in deep, deep trouble now, and it's Jason Gillespie the
        new man, but he won't face as the batsmen crossed while the catch
        was being taken
  36.4 Harmison to Lee, no run, left alone outside the opff
  36.5 Harmison to Lee, no run, down the leg side and ignored
  36.6 Harmison to Lee, no run, short of a length and outside the off,
        pushed down to point

End of over 37 (3 runs) Australia 178/8
SJ Harmison 10-0-39-3 - Pavilion End
JN Gillespie 0* (0b) B Lee 3* (4b)

       Flintoff comes back into the attack at the Nursery End
  37.1 Flintoff to Gillespie, no run, down the leg side and Gillespie gets
        out of the way of that one
  37.2 Flintoff to Gillespie, no run, just short of a good length and
        speared in at Gillespie who gingerly defends the ball to the off
        side with an angled bat
  37.3 Flintoff to Gillespie, no run, a repeat of the last ball, though
        Gillespie manages to play the ball back down the pitch
  37.4 Flintoff to Gillespie, no run, on the pads, flicked down towards
        square leg
  37.5 Flintoff to Gillespie, no run, outside the off this time, just
        short of a good length, Gillespie stands tall and defends to the
        off side
  37.6 Flintoff to Gillespie, no run, short one outside the off, Gillespie
        has a nibble but misses

End of over 38 (maiden) Australia 178/8
A Flintoff 10-2-42-2 (8nb) - Nursery End
B Lee 3* (4b) JN Gillespie 0* (6b)

  38.1 Harmison to Lee, no run, quick one on the off, Lee brings the bat
        down in a hurry to squeeze the ball to the off side
  38.2 Harmison to Lee, no run, short and outside the off, Lee pokes at it
        and the ball goes straight to Pietersen at gully who puts down a
        sitter! Second miss of the day for Pietersen!
  38.3 Harmison to Lee, no run, short one, through to the keeper
  38.4 Harmison to Lee, OUT: Harmison fires one of his rockets and Lee is
        cut in half, the ball squeezes between bat and pad - there's a
        loud sound as it goes through - and Jones behind the stumps takes
        a sharp catch

       Australia 178/9, Partnership of 0
       B Lee  c GO Jones b Harmison  3 (8b 0x4 0x6)
       JN Gillespie 0* (6b) SJ Harmison 10.4-0-39-4

       It's not entirely clear if that was off bat, glove or nothing at
        all, but it must be said that it looked out when it happened
       Glenn McGrath is at the crease, batting, and it's not even the 40th
        over of the Australian innings
  38.5 Harmison to McGrath, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, McGrath shapes to play and then pretends to withdraw
  38.6 Harmison to McGrath, FOUR, overpitched and on the pads, even
        McGrath can get that one away. Good timing and placement and the
        ball races away to the square-leg fence

End of over 39 (4 runs) Australia 182/9
SJ Harmison 11-0-43-4 - Pavilion End
JN Gillespie 0* (6b) GD McGrath 4* (2b 1x4)

  39.1 Flintoff to Gillespie, no run, short and down the leg side,
        gillespie is not troubled by that one and can sway inside the line
        easily and let the ball go through to the keeper
  39.2 Flintoff to Gillespie, one run, full and on the pads, flicked past
        mid-on for a single that brings McGrath on strike
  39.3 Flintoff to McGrath, (noball) two runs, pushed away past point for
        a brace, and it is a no-ball as well
  39.3 Flintoff to McGrath, no run, short ball, left alone easily even by
        No. 11
  39.4 Flintoff to McGrath, FOUR, short one outside the off, fended over
        third and fourth slip for a streaky boundary
  39.5 Flintoff to McGrath, no run, another short one, this time at pace,
        defended awkwardly but safely
  39.6 Flintoff to McGrath, no run

End of over 40 (8 runs) Australia 190/9
A Flintoff 11-2-50-2 (9nb) - Nursery End
JN Gillespie 1* (8b) GD McGrath 10* (7b 2x4)

  40.1 Harmison to Gillespie, no run, fast and furious from Harmison,
        steaming in looking for his fifth wicket, rapped on the pad, loud
        shout, but denied. The ball might well ahve gone over the stumps
  40.2 Harmison to Gillespie, OUT: This time it's fuller, just as straight
        and Jason Gillespie is dead in the water as the abll hits pad.
        Aleem Dar signals the end of the Australian innings!

       Australia 190/10, Partnership of 12
       JN Gillespie  lbw b Harmison  1 (10b 0x4 0x6)
       GD McGrath 10* (7b 2x4) SJ Harmison 11.2-0-43-5

       Amazing scenes here at Lord's as Australia are bowled out on the
        first day having faced just 40.2 overs. Stephen Harmison came to
        the party - 5 for 43 - and wrecked Australia
       This is Harmison's 6th five-wicket haul. But he did not work alone,
        he was well supported by Hoggard, Jones and Flintoff
       There will be a short break as England prepare to bat. Don't go
        anywhere though, there's sure to be more excitement soon!
       Welcome back to Lord's
       It's McGrath to Trescothick
   0.1 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, full and on the stumps, shaping in,
        played at and missed, taken on the pad
   0.2 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, outside the off, through to the
        keeper past the outside edge
   0.3 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, left alone outside the off stump
       Remember McGrath is on 499 Test wickets, just one more to join an
        elite club
   0.4 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, bang on target from McGrath, a
        little lift off the pitch, the ball hits the bat high up and falls
        at the batsman's feet
   0.5 McGrath to Trescothick, FOUR, outside the off and fullish,
        Trescothick opens the face of the blade and runs the ball down to
        the third man fence
   0.6 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, outside the off and left alone to
        the keeper

End of over 1 (4 runs) England 4/0 (trail by 186 runs)
GD McGrath 1-0-4-0 - Pavilion End
AJ Strauss 0* (0b) ME Trescothick 4* (6b 1x4)

   1.1 Lee to Strauss, no run, Lee begins with a loosener outside the off
        and Strauss leaves it well alone to the keeper
   1.2 Lee to Strauss, no run, quick one on the stumpds, defended back
        down the pitch with a straight bat
   1.3 Lee to Strauss, no run, full and outside the off, this one
        threatens to come back in but goes straight through to the keeper
   1.4 Lee to Strauss, no run, shorter and outside the off, left alone to
        the keeper
   1.5 Lee to Strauss, legbye: FOUR, very quick, very straight, Strauss
        tries to get out of the way but the ball flies off the shoulder
        and runs down for four leg byes
   1.6 Lee to Strauss, no run, just short of a good length and outside the
        off, left alone

End of over 2 (4 runs, maiden) England 8/0 (trail by 182 runs)
B Lee 1-1-0-0 - Nursery End
ME Trescothick 4* (6b 1x4) AJ Strauss 0* (6b)

   2.1 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, McGrath on target again, just back
        of a length and outside the off, Trescothick leaves the ball alone
   2.2 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, just short of a length once more -
        precision McGrath bowling - and on the stumps, defended to the off
        side
   2.3 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, slightly straighter this time and
        rising on Trescothick, he defends to off
   2.4 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, once again bang on target and the
        ball is pushed away to the off
   2.5 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, McGrath spears in the perfect
        yorker, swinging in late. Trescothick does well to get his feet
        out of the way and jam the bat down on the ball
   2.6 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, defended to off and McGrath
        completes his first maiden over

End of over 3 (maiden) England 8/0 (trail by 182 runs)
GD McGrath 2-1-4-0 - Pavilion End
AJ Strauss 0* (6b) ME Trescothick 4* (12b 1x4)

   3.1 Lee to Strauss, no run, outside the off and left alone to the
        keeper
   3.2 Lee to Strauss, no run, quick, quick ball from Lee, the ball flies
        past Strauss and there's some sound, Gilchrist goes up
        immediately, loud shout, not out is the call from Koertzen and
        it's a good one. The ball missed bat and clipped shirt sleeve on
        the way to the keeper
   3.3 Lee to Strauss, no run, through to the keeper without any fuss this
        time
   3.4 Lee to Strauss, no run, just short of a length and Lee steaming in
        here, defended watchfully
   3.5 Lee to Strauss, one run, on the pads, Strauss squeezes that one
        onto his pad for a single to get off the mark
   3.6 Lee to Trescothick, no run, short and well down the leg side, left
        alone to the keeper

End of over 4 (1 run) England 9/0 (trail by 181 runs)
B Lee 2-1-1-0 - Nursery End
AJ Strauss 1* (11b) ME Trescothick 4* (13b 1x4)

   4.1 McGrath to Strauss, no run, full and on the off, pushed to cover
   4.2 McGrath to Strauss, no run, just short of a good length and on the
        stumps, played back down the pitch
   4.3 McGrath to Strauss, one run, a touch too straight from McGrath and
        Strauss manages to tuck the ball away to fine leg for a single
   4.4 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, outside the off, perfect line and
        length, good seam position, beats the bat and hurries through to
        the keeper
   4.5 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, almost a carbon copy of the last
        ball but this time Trescothick leaves it well alone
   4.6 McGrath to Trescothick, no run, slightly straighter, Trescothick
        pops it to the leg side

End of over 5 (1 run) England 10/0 (trail by 180 runs)
GD McGrath 3-1-5-0 - Pavilion End
AJ Strauss 2* (14b) ME Trescothick 4* (16b 1x4)

   5.1 Lee to Strauss, no run, just short of a length and outside the off,
        left alone. Quite quick from Lee. He can afford to steam in, this
        is probably the last over before tea
   5.2 Lee to Strauss, no run, slightly fuller and on the stumps, played
        down with soft hands to gully
   5.3 Lee to Strauss, no run, faster, fuller and outside the off, left
        well alone to the keeper
   5.4 Lee to Strauss, no run, just back of a good length once more, left
        alone with an eye on the people in the dressing room heating up
        the water for tea
   5.5 Lee to Strauss, no run, short one banged in. It's quick, but well
        down the leg side and poses no problems for Strauss
   5.6 Lee to Strauss, no run, quick one, rapped on the pads, half-hearted
        lbw shout, denied, and that's tea!

End of over 6 (maiden) England 10/0 (trail by 180 runs)
B Lee 3-2-1-0 - Nursery End
ME Trescothick 4* (16b 1x4) AJ Strauss 2* (20b)

Match State: Tea - Day 1

       England have won both sessions that have gone so far
       We leave you briefly now but will be back with all the action in
        about 15 miutes time at 1410 GMT
       Welcome back to Lord's for the final session of play in what has
        been an action-packed day already
       41 overs to be bowled today if we can get that many in
       That may not happen though this is an extended session
       McGrath to continue
   6.1 McGrath to Trescothick, OUT: Glenn McGrath gets it bang on target
        first ball after the break! That's wicket number 500 for a
        tireless champion! Trescothick tries to turn one to the on side
        and edges straight to Langer in the slips! Australia strike

       England 10/1, Partnership of 10
       ME Trescothick  c Langer b McGrath  4 (17b 1x4 0x6)
       AJ Strauss 2* (20b) GD McGrath 3.1-1-5-1

       This is a big moment for McGrath and he holds the ball up to the
        crowd. And why not? He fully deserves it, does McGrath.
       Michael Vaughan now comes in to bat
   6.2 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, just short of a good length and outside
        the off, coming back in just a touch, Vaughan leaves it alone on
        height and it goes through to the keeper
   6.3 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, once again left alone to the keeper,
        McGrath hitting a good line and length here
   6.4 McGrath to Vaughan, one run, fuller and on the off, Vaughan drives
        well through cover. Half-stopped by the fielder but a single
        results
   6.5 McGrath to Strauss, OUT: Another perfect ball from McGrath and
        Strauss can do nothing but edge to Warne at first slip who takes a
        good sharp catch just centimetres from the ground!

       England 11/2, Partnership of 1
       AJ Strauss  c Warne b McGrath  2 (21b 0x4 0x6)
       MP Vaughan 1* (3b) GD McGrath 3.5-1-6-2

       Don't you leave your seat for a minute, Australia are doing
        everything they can to get right back into this game after a
        dismal batting performance earlier. Glenn McGrath is showing the
        way in style
       Ian Bell comes to the crease for his first Ashes innings with the
        score on 11 for 2
   6.6 McGrath to Bell, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, coming in off the seam, Bell plays and misses and the ball
        goes through to the keeper

End of over 7 (1 run) England 11/2 (trail by 179 runs)
GD McGrath 4-1-6-2 - Pavilion End
MP Vaughan 1* (3b) IR Bell 0* (1b)

   7.1 Lee to Vaughan, no run, A rather gentle one outside the off to
        Vaughan first up from Lee, left alone easily to the keeper
   7.2 Lee to Vaughan, two runs, short one and Vaughan goes for the pull,
        very unconvincing shot. The ball loops up but out of reach of the
        fielders and lands at square leg
   7.3 Lee to Vaughan, no run, quick one from Lee but far enough outside
        the off stump for Vaughan to leave alone to the keeper
   7.4 Lee to Vaughan, no run, slightly closer to the stumps this time and
        Vaughan goes towards the ball before pulling his bat away
   7.5 Lee to Vaughan, no run, quick one, fuller and outside the off, left
        alone to Gilchrist who takes the ball that comes in at pace and
        height
   7.6 Lee to Vaughan, no run, another quick one, Vaughan plays it well,
        using soft hands to fend the ball down to the slips cordon

End of over 8 (2 runs) England 13/2 (trail by 177 runs)
B Lee 4-2-3-0 - Nursery End
IR Bell 0* (1b) MP Vaughan 3* (9b)

   8.1 McGrath to Bell, no run, outside the off and full, Bell leaves it
        alone even as it seams back in towards him
   8.2 McGrath to Bell, no run, slightly shorter with this one and outside
        the off, chopped down to point
   8.3 McGrath to Bell, one run, full one again, this time seaming in,
        Bell defends and the ball runs away off the inside edge to the on
        side for the young batsman to get off the mark
   8.4 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, Great leave from Vaughan as McGrath
        shoulders arms to one that pitches outside off but seams in and
        goes just over the stumps
   8.5 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, another one jags back in sharply, raps
        Vaughan on the pads, McGrath has got more seam movement than
        anyone else so far
   8.6 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, slightly short of a length and on the
        stumps, Vaughan gets everything behind it and manages to keep it
        out

End of over 9 (1 run) England 14/2 (trail by 176 runs)
GD McGrath 5-1-7-2 - Pavilion End
IR Bell 1* (4b) MP Vaughan 3* (12b)

   9.1 Lee to Bell, no run, quick and just outside the off, Bell has a
        nervous poke and the ball goes past the outside edge to the keeper
   9.2 Lee to Bell, no run, very quick from Lee, Bell is late on the shot
        and the ball thuds into the pads on the way down the leg side
   9.3 Lee to Bell, no run, more pacy stuff from Lee, Bell leaves this
        alone outside the off
   9.4 Lee to Bell, no run, full and quick, Bell is careful this time and
        defends with the full face of the bat
   9.5 Lee to Bell, no run, just short of a length and outside the off,
        Bell is up to the task and leaves the ball alone well
   9.6 Lee to Bell, no run, Lee wraps up a quick over that is a maiden as
        well with one outside the off that Bell is content letting go

End of over 10 (maiden) England 14/2 (trail by 176 runs)
B Lee 5-3-3-0 - Nursery End
MP Vaughan 3* (12b) IR Bell 1* (10b)

  10.1 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, full and on the stumps, curving in just
        a touch, Vaughan does well to defend to the on side
       This is an intriguing battle here, two great players up against
        each other, Vaughan and McGrath
  10.2 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, left alone to the keeper
  10.3 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, straight one further away outside the
        off, Vaughan has no trouble in letting that go
  10.4 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, McGrath drags his line closer to the
        stumps and Vaughan responds by defending watchfully towards gully
  10.5 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, Absolute jaffa! Line, length, seam
        movement, Vaughan does well not to edge it as it goes past his bat
  10.6 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, This time Vaughan sees the ball early
        and is in full control leaving it alone

End of over 11 (maiden) England 14/2 (trail by 176 runs)
GD McGrath 6-2-7-2 - Pavilion End
IR Bell 1* (10b) MP Vaughan 3* (18b)

  11.1 Lee to Bell, no run, defended to the on side with soft hands
  11.2 Lee to Bell, no run, full one, Lee testing Bell here, but he is up
        to it, driving to the on side
  11.3 Lee to Bell, no run, short one, quick and well directed, but Bell
        shows exactly how to leave a ball alone, keeping his eyes on the
        ball and swaying perfectly out of the way
  11.4 Lee to Bell, FOUR, overpitched from Lee and Bell plays the shot of
        the day - a perfect copybook cover drive! What a glorious shot
        from a young man facing a stern test against some high quality
        bowling
  11.5 Lee to Bell, no run, slightly shorter and outside the off, left
        alone to the keeper
  11.6 Lee to Bell, no run, short one but it's wasted, slipping well down
        the leg side

End of over 12 (4 runs) England 18/2 (trail by 172 runs)
B Lee 6-3-7-0 - Nursery End
MP Vaughan 3* (18b) IR Bell 5* (16b 1x4)

  12.1 McGrath to Vaughan, no run, McGrath hits another one right on the
        spot, outside the off and just short of a length, left alone. We
        might see a bit of caution from Vaughan here
  12.2 McGrath to Vaughan, OUT: Just as we wondered if Vaughan would be
        careful McGrath shoots him down! Unfortunate for Vaughan as the
        ball keeps low and scuttles under his bat and wrecks the stumps

       England 18/3, Partnership of 7
       MP Vaughan  b McGrath  3 (20b 0x4 0x6)
       IR Bell 5* (16b 1x4) GD McGrath 6.2-2-7-3

       Glenn McGrath is on fire here at Lord's. It's as though he's
        telling England's bowlers, 'whatever you do, I can do better'
       Here's Kevin Pietersen, the man all England has been waiting to
        watch in an Ashes match
  12.3 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, full and shaping in, Pietersen
        defends very carefully
  12.4 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, left alone outside the off
  12.5 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, low full toss on the off, Pietersen
        strokes it to mid-off
  12.6 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, once again outside the off, once
        again Pietersen leaves it alone and it's a wicket maiden for Glenn
        McGrath who now has figures of 3 for 7

End of over 13 (maiden) England 18/3 (trail by 172 runs)
GD McGrath 7-3-7-3 - Pavilion End
IR Bell 5* (16b 1x4) KP Pietersen 0* (4b)

  13.1 Lee to Bell, no run, quick one, outside the off, left alone to the
        keeper
  13.2 Lee to Bell, no run, another quick one, again just short of a
        length, left alone on heighht even though th eball is on the
        stumps. Might be a dangerous ploy after seeing how Vaughan losts
        his stumps to one that kept low
  13.3 Lee to Bell, no run, just short of a length and on the stumps,
        defended back down the pitch
  13.4 Lee to Bell, no run, outside the off and just back of a length,
        defended with an open face
  13.5 Lee to Bell, no run, short one that climbs on Bell, there's nowhere
        to go for the batsman and he only manages to fend the ball away
  13.6 Lee to Bell, one run, just short of a length and on the pads, Bell
        works it away well to fine leg for a single

End of over 14 (1 run) England 19/3 (trail by 171 runs)
B Lee 7-3-8-0 - Nursery End
IR Bell 6* (22b 1x4) KP Pietersen 0* (4b)

  14.1 McGrath to Bell, no run, outside the off, perfect shape in, left
        well alone
  14.2 McGrath to Bell, no run, outside the off, perfect shape in, left
        well alone
  14.3 McGrath to Bell, OUT: And there's the perfect ball from McGrath.
        You can not play that. Perfect line and length, just enough seam
        movement to come in and take the inside edge and clatter into the
        leg stump! Australia are well and truly back in this game now!

       England 19/4, Partnership of 1
       IR Bell  b McGrath  6 (25b 1x4 0x6)
       KP Pietersen 0* (4b) GD McGrath 7.3-3-7-4

       Have a look at those figures 7.3-3-7-4. What more can a captain ask
        for?
  14.4 McGrath to Flintoff, no run, just short of a good length and
        outside the off, Flintoff defends well
  14.5 McGrath to Flintoff, no run, outside the off, slightly fuller,
        Flintoff very carefullyh leaves it alone to the keeper
  14.6 McGrath to Flintoff, no run, once again on target, pushed to gully,
        and end of another wicket-maiden for McGrath

End of over 15 (maiden) England 19/4 (trail by 171 runs)
GD McGrath 8-4-7-4 - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 0* (4b) A Flintoff 0* (3b)

  15.1 Lee to Pietersen, no run, down the leg side, left alone to the
        keeper
  15.2 Lee to Pietersen, no run, outside the off, full and quick,
        Pietersen leaves it alone
  15.3 Lee to Pietersen, no run, and once again Pietersen respectfully
        lets the ball go outside the off stump
  15.4 Lee to Pietersen, no run, full and on the off, driven well, but
        straight to mid-off
  15.5 Lee to Pietersen, two runs, Pietersen eases a full one through the
        covers for a brace to get off the mark in Test cricket
  15.6 Lee to Pietersen, no run, short ball, well pushed to the on side

End of over 16 (2 runs) England 21/4 (trail by 169 runs)
B Lee 8-3-10-0 - Nursery End
A Flintoff 0* (3b) KP Pietersen 2* (10b)

  16.1 McGrath to Flintoff, OUT: McGrath gets another one bang on target,
        Flintoff can do nothing as the ball keeps low and crashes into the
        stumps! McGrath has five wickets and England are in deep, deep
        trouble.

       England 21/5, Partnership of 2
       A Flintoff  b McGrath  0 (4b 0x4 0x6)
       KP Pietersen 2* (10b) GD McGrath 8.1-4-7-5

  16.2 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, good length, outside the off, probing
        line and length from McGrath, Jones defends carefully
  16.3 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, slightly shorter, quicker as well,
        good pace and carry through to the keeper as Jones leaves the ball
        alone
  16.4 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, Jones defends another one carefully
        towards gully
  16.5 McGrath to GO Jones, FOUR, just a touch short and a bit of width
        and Jones shows he's not too overawed to crash the ball away when
        it is there to be hit. Cracking shot for a boundary through point!
  16.6 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, on the stumps this time and fuller,
        defended carefully

End of over 17 (4 runs) England 25/5 (trail by 165 runs)
GD McGrath 9-4-11-5 - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 2* (10b) GO Jones 4* (5b 1x4)

       The first bowling change of the innings. Gillespie replaces Lee at
        the Nursery End.
  17.1 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, short and outside the off,
        Pietersen goes for an expansive shot outside the off and misses
  17.2 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, just short of a length and outside
        the off, Pietersen cuts to point
  17.3 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, outside the off and full, just a
        hint of away movement, Pietersen leaves it alone
  17.4 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, just back of a length and outside
        the off, Pietersen gets well behind the line of the ball and
        punches to point
  17.5 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, on the off and slanting in a touch,
        Pietersen defends carefully with a straight bat
  17.6 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, full and outside the off, left
        alone to the keeper, Gillespie starts with a maiden

End of over 18 (maiden) England 25/5 (trail by 165 runs)
JN Gillespie 1-1-0-0 - Nursery End
GO Jones 4* (5b 1x4) KP Pietersen 2* (16b)

Match State: Drinks

  18.1 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, pushed through full and just on the
        off, the ball shapes in nicely but Jones gets behind the line well
        and defends
  18.2 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, left well alone to the keeper
  18.3 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, full again and outside the off, the
        ball seams in a bit and keeps low as well. Tough to play that
  18.4 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, defended carefully towards point
  18.5 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, full and on the off, pushed back past
        the bowler to mid-on
  18.6 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, full one outside the off, Jones lets
        it go to the keeper

End of over 19 (maiden) England 25/5 (trail by 165 runs)
GD McGrath 10-5-11-5 - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 2* (16b) GO Jones 4* (11b 1x4)

  19.1 Gillespie to Pietersen, FOUR, short and wide, terrible ball from
        Gillespie, Pieterson stands tall and smashes that through cover,
        superb shot that!
  19.2 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, fuller this time and swinging away
        a bit, Pietersen leaves the ball alone to the keeper
  19.3 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, fuller and a touch straighter,
        Pietersen walks across and drives to mid-on
  19.4 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, quick one from Gillespie, fuller
        and outside the off, Pietersen throws everything at it but misses
  19.5 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, just short of a good length and
        outside the off, defended to the off side off the back foot
  19.6 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, fuller and straighter, Pietersen
        gets behind the line nicely and strokes the ball to mid-on

End of over 20 (4 runs) England 29/5 (trail by 161 runs)
JN Gillespie 2-1-4-0 - Nursery End
GO Jones 4* (11b 1x4) KP Pietersen 6* (22b 1x4)

  20.1 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, fullish and on the off, Jones defends
        carefully
  20.2 McGrath to GO Jones, FOUR, short and a bit of width, Jones hits
        another one perfectly through point for four
  20.3 McGrath to GO Jones, one run, fuller and on the pads, clipped past
        midwicket for a single
  20.4 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, fuller and on the off, shaping in,
        defended carefully
  20.5 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, just outside the off, just short of a
        length, driven well off the back foot to cover
  20.6 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, slightly fuller and on the stumps,
        seaming in, off bat onto pad

End of over 21 (5 runs) England 34/5 (trail by 156 runs)
GD McGrath 11-5-16-5 - Pavilion End
GO Jones 9* (14b 2x4) KP Pietersen 6* (25b 1x4)

  21.1 Gillespie to GO Jones, (noball) no run, Gillespie starts his third
        over with a no-ball that Jones pushes to mid-on
  21.1 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, just short of a good length and
        outside the off, Jones has a go at that but misses
  21.2 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, closer to the stumps, still not full
        enough to drive, pushed away to the off side
  21.3 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, slightly shorter, angling in, the
        ball hits the pitch and seams away, very tough to play that
  21.4 Gillespie to GO Jones, FOUR, fullish and outside the off, Jones
        drives well through cover. Clarke half stops it at cover but the
        ball runs away to the fence and England have a batsman in double
        figures
  21.5 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, clipped to the on side
  21.6 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, short of a length, outside the off,
        moving away a little bit, cut played and missed, through to the
        keeper

End of over 22 (5 runs) England 39/5 (trail by 151 runs)
JN Gillespie 3-1-9-0 (1nb) - Nursery End
KP Pietersen 6* (25b 1x4) GO Jones 13* (21b 3x4)

  22.1 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, full and on the off, swinging in,
        defended back down the pitch
  22.2 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, just short of a length and outside
        the off, left well alone to Gilchrist behind the stumps
  22.3 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, once again just back of a length and
        outside the off, left alone to the keeper. McGrath bowling his
        12th over but showing no sign of tiring and is deadly accurate
  22.4 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, full and on the off, pushed to mid-
        off
  22.5 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, McGrath bangs one in short, Pietersen
        goes for the pull but only manages to hit the ball to short-
        midwicket
  22.6 McGrath to Pietersen, one run, squeezed through th eon side for a
        single

End of over 23 (1 run) England 40/5 (trail by 150 runs)
GD McGrath 12-5-17-5 - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 7* (31b 1x4) GO Jones 13* (21b 3x4)

  23.1 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, full and outside the off, just a
        hint of away movement, Pietersen eases the ball to the off side
  23.2 Gillespie to Pietersen, one run, pushed just wide of Michael Clarke
        at cover for a quick single
  23.3 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, just short of a length and on the
        stumps, defended back with the full face of the bat
  23.4 Gillespie to GO Jones, two runs, just short of a length and outside
        the off, Jones does well to keep the ball down and get it to third
        man for a brace
  23.5 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, on th eoff and short of a driving
        length. Jones goes back and defends.
  23.6 Gillespie to GO Jones, one run, just short of a length once more, a
        bit of width this time and Jones can push it past point for a
        single

End of over 24 (4 runs) England 44/5 (trail by 146 runs)
JN Gillespie 4-1-13-0 (1nb) - Nursery End
GO Jones 16* (25b 3x4) KP Pietersen 8* (33b 1x4)

  24.1 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, just short of a length and on the
        stumps, McGrath goes on, Jones defends
  24.2 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, outside the off and fullish, left well
        alone to the keeper
  24.3 McGrath to GO Jones, FOUR, short and a bit of width, Jones really
        likes it there. He creams this one backward of point for a
        boundary, his fourth in this innings
  24.4 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, full and straight this time, driven to
        the man at short cover
  24.5 McGrath to GO Jones, no run, this one screams back in from outside
        the off, a lot of seam movement, cuts Jones in half. The ball
        brushes Jones's trousers on the way to the keeper
  24.6 McGrath to GO Jones, no run

End of over 25 (4 runs) England 48/5 (trail by 142 runs)
GD McGrath 13-5-21-5 - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 8* (33b 1x4) GO Jones 20* (31b 4x4)

  25.1 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, back of a length and outside the
        off, driven to point
  25.2 Gillespie to Pietersen, one run, just short of a length and on the
        pads, worked away to the on side for a single
  25.3 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, slightly quicker and outside the
        off, a hint of away movement, left alone to the keeper
  25.4 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, short one that takes off a bit off
        the pitch, Jones looks to play and then tries to back off and gets
        hit flush on the arm. Very strange bounce from this first-day
        Lord's pitch
  25.5 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, slightly fuller and outside the off,
        Gillespie plugging away here trying to find a rhythm. Remember he
        isn't in the best of form at the moment.
  25.6 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, outside the off once more and moving
        away, left alone

End of over 26 (1 run) England 49/5 (trail by 141 runs)
JN Gillespie 5-1-14-0 (1nb) - Nursery End
KP Pietersen 9* (35b 1x4) GO Jones 20* (35b 4x4)

       Lee replaces McGrath at the Pacilion End
       That's Pavilion End, apologies.
  26.1 Lee to Pietersen, no run, full and outside the off, a bit of a
        loosener, Pietersen leaves it alone to Gilchrist
  26.2 Lee to Pietersen, no run, quicker, and on the stumps, Pietersen has
        to work hard to keep this one out
  26.3 Lee to Pietersen, no run, full and on the off stump, driven to mid-
        off
  26.4 Lee to Pietersen, no run, quick again from Lee, and he's keeping it
        full at the moment, defended. The short ball can't be too far away
        though
  26.5 Lee to Pietersen, no run, down the leg side, slightly short,
        Pietersen has a go at a pull shot but misses
  26.6 Lee to Pietersen, no run, outside the off and full, left alione.
        Lee begins a fresh spell with a maiden

End of over 27 (maiden) England 49/5 (trail by 141 runs)
B Lee 9-4-10-0 - Pavilion End
GO Jones 20* (35b 4x4) KP Pietersen 9* (41b 1x4)

  27.1 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, fullish and outside the off, left
        alone to th ekeeper
  27.2 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, just short of a good length and
        outside the off, left well alone once more
  27.3 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, pushed slightly further up, there's
        a bit of shape going away. Defended to off
  27.4 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, slightly closer to the stumps, the
        ball hits the deck and moves away quite nicely. Jones plays and
        misses. Shades of the old Dizzy Gillespie here
  27.5 Gillespie to GO Jones, FOUR, short and wide, just as we were
        wondering Gillespie was finding form, cut away in specatcular
        fashion to the point fence
  27.6 Gillespie to GO Jones, no run, fuller and on the stumps, rapped on
        the pads, loud shout from the keeper and the slips cordon but the
        ball is going down leg

End of over 28 (4 runs) England 53/5 (trail by 137 runs)
JN Gillespie 6-1-18-0 (1nb) - Nursery End
KP Pietersen 9* (41b 1x4) GO Jones 24* (41b 5x4)

       Lee to continue, bowling over the wicket to Pietersen
  28.1 Lee to Pietersen, one run, short and drifting down the leg side,
        worked away to long-leg for an easy single
  28.2 Lee to GO Jones, no run, good length delivery outside the off
        stump, Jones leaves it for the keeper
  28.3 Lee to GO Jones, one run, angling in from outside the off stump,
        Jones gets behind the ball and defends it to the on side, quick
        single taken, McGrath had to move in from mid-on
  28.4 Lee to Pietersen, FOUR, bit of room outside the off stump and
        Pietersen manages to find the gap between point and cover,  driven
        away standing tall on the back-foot
  28.5 Lee to Pietersen, one run, turned away on the leg side for an easy
        single
  28.6 Lee to GO Jones, FOUR, four more! good length delivery outside the
        off stump, Jones gets into a good position and drives it away
        through covers

End of over 29 (11 runs) England 64/5 (trail by 126 runs)
B Lee 10-4-21-0 - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 15* (44b 2x4) GO Jones 29* (44b 6x4)

  29.1 Gillespie to Pietersen, FOUR, on the pads now and flicked away the
        square-leg fence. Yet another boundary!
  29.2 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, just short of a length and outside
        the off, Pietersen tries to drag the ball from well outside off
        through midwicket, the ball bounces away to the on side
  29.3 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, back of a length and outside the
        off. This time Pietersen leaves it well alone
  29.4 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, fullish and outside the off side,
        left alone with ease
  29.5 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, fuller and outside the off, once
        again Pietersen stays patient and lets the ball go through
  29.6 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, this one is angled in, Pietersen
        defends watchfully

End of over 30 (4 runs) England 68/5 (trail by 122 runs)
JN Gillespie 7-1-22-0 (1nb) - Nursery End
GO Jones 29* (44b 6x4) KP Pietersen 19* (50b 3x4)

  30.1 Lee to GO Jones, no run, quick one from Lee, sliding in from
        outside the off, left alone to the keeper
  30.2 Lee to GO Jones, no run, quick and angled in towards the stumps,
        driven to mid-on
       When will we see Shane Warne? Surely Ponting must be thinking about
        giving him a bowl
  30.3 Lee to GO Jones, no run, just short of a length and on the stumps.
        This one keeps a little low but Jones is able to watch it onto his
        bat and defend late
  30.4 Lee to GO Jones, no run, full and outside the off, very pacy, left
        alone to the keeper
  30.5 Lee to GO Jones, no run, straight and on a good length, defended
        back down the pitch
  30.6 Lee to GO Jones, no run, slanted in to the stumps, Jones defends
        well to the on side

End of over 31 (maiden) England 68/5 (trail by 122 runs)
B Lee 11-5-21-0 - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 19* (50b 3x4) GO Jones 29* (50b 6x4)

  31.1 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, fullish and on the off, Gillespie
        now slanting the ball in from wide of the crease, defended to mid-
        on
  31.2 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, this one pitches outside the off
        and goes away off the pitch, left alone to the keeper
  31.3 Gillespie to Pietersen, FOUR, too straight and too full from
        Gillespie. That is Pietersen's strength, he moves across and
        flicks magnificently through midwicket. That brings up the 50
        partnership as well!
  31.4 Gillespie to Pietersen, FOUR, short one from Gillespie and
        Pietersen rocks back and launches this one over mid-on. Cracking
        shot that!
  31.5 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, just short of a good length and
        outside the off, left alone to the keeper this time. Pietersen
        showing good temperemant.
  31.6 Gillespie to Pietersen, no run, driven fluently but straight to the
        man at mid-off

End of over 32 (8 runs) England 76/5 (trail by 114 runs)
JN Gillespie 8-1-30-0 (1nb) - Nursery End
GO Jones 29* (50b 6x4) KP Pietersen 27* (56b 5x4)

  32.1 Lee to GO Jones, no run, Excellent swinging yorker from Lee. Jones
        shows his stuff keeping it out well. Top cricket all around.
  32.2 Lee to GO Jones, no run, just short of a length this time and
        outside the off, a bit of curve in to the right-handed Jones,
        defended to the on side
  32.3 Lee to GO Jones, no run, slipping down the leg side, Jones has a
        flick and a miss, through to the keeper
  32.4 Lee to GO Jones, (noball) one run, short one, fended away to fine
        leg, and it's a no-ball to boot
  32.4 Lee to Pietersen, no run, another short one, Pietersen watches it
        well and sways out of harm's way
  32.5 Lee to Pietersen, one run, nurdled away to the leg side
  32.6 Lee to GO Jones, no run, uncomfortably quick one on the stumps,
        shaping in to Jones who manages to fend the ball to the ons ide

End of over 33 (3 runs) England 79/5 (trail by 111 runs)
B Lee 12-5-24-0 (1nb) - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 28* (58b 5x4) GO Jones 30* (55b 6x4)

       And there's the moment. Shane Warne comes in to the attack,
        replacing Gillespie at the Nursery End
       Warne to Pietersen, here we go!
  33.1 Warne to Pietersen, no run, drifting onto the pads, Pietersen
        defends and misses, shout for lbw, turned down
  33.2 Warne to Pietersen, no run, tossed up and outside the leg stump, a
        bit of turn, rapped on the pad
  33.3 Warne to Pietersen, no run, outside the leg stump and Pietersen
        goes for a sweep, off the glove bouncing down to the keeper
  33.4 Warne to Pietersen, no run, on the off this time, nice loop going,
        Pietersen defends
  33.5 Warne to Pietersen, no run, tossed up a bit more and outside the
        off, driven firmly but straight to short cover
  33.6 Warne to Pietersen, no run, slower this time and on the leg stump,
        Pietersen defends carefully and Warne starts with a maiden over

End of over 34 (maiden) England 79/5 (trail by 111 runs)
SK Warne 1-1-0-0 - Nursery End
GO Jones 30* (55b 6x4) KP Pietersen 28* (64b 5x4)

       A couple of overs probably left in the day
  34.1 Lee to GO Jones, OUT: Lee bangs one in short and it flies off the
        pitch, Jones can only fend the ball straight into the air for
        Gilchrist to catch! Lee gets a well-deserved wicket. He has
        absolutely steamed in all day

       England 79/6, Partnership of 58
       GO Jones  c Gilchrist b Lee  30 (56b 6x4 0x6)
       KP Pietersen 28* (64b 5x4) B Lee 12.1-5-24-1 (1nb)

       England in more trouble, losing that vital wicket just as a
        partnership was building, with the end of the day nearing
  34.2 Lee to Giles, no run, Lee goes for the inswinging yorker but Giles
        seems to know it's coming and defends well
  34.3 Lee to Giles, no run, bouncer to follow the yorker, Giles ducks
        well under that
  34.4 Lee to Giles, no run, just short of a length and on the stumps,
        tapped to the on side
  34.5 Lee to Giles, FOUR, just short of a length and outside the off,
        Giles pokes at it and the ball just evades the slip fielder and
        runs down to the third man fence
  34.6 Lee to Giles, (noball) no run, short and very quick, that is a
        lethal Lee delivery! Giles pops up a catch but it's a no-ball!
  34.6 Lee to Giles, FOUR, full this tiome and Giles pushes it beautifully
        through mid-on for a boundary

End of over 35 (9 runs) England 88/6 (trail by 102 runs)
B Lee 13-5-33-1 (2nb) - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 28* (64b 5x4) AF Giles 8* (6b 2x4)

  35.1 Warne to Pietersen, no run, full and on the pads, Pietersen kicks
        it away tucking bat behind pad
  35.2 Warne to Pietersen, no run, once again on the pads and Pietersen
        does the same thing again, kicking the ball to short leg
  35.3 Warne to Pietersen, no run, on the pads and Pietersen tries to
        flick but can't quite manage
  35.4 Warne to Pietersen, no run, short and a bit of width, should have
        been put away but Pietersen can only chop it into the ground
  35.5 Warne to Pietersen, one run, punched off the back foot to the left
        of cover for a single
  35.6 Warne to Giles, one run, on the pads, tucked away to fine leg for a
        single and Giles will keep the strike for what should be the last
        over of the day

End of over 36 (2 runs) England 90/6 (trail by 100 runs)
SK Warne 2-1-2-0 - Nursery End
AF Giles 9* (7b 2x4) KP Pietersen 29* (69b 5x4)

  36.1 Lee to Giles, no run, short one from Lee just outside the off,
        Giles watches it carefully and leaves it alone to the keeper
  36.2 Lee to Giles, no run, another short one, just about fended past the
        man at short leg
  36.3 Lee to Giles, no run, and predictably another short one, and
        equally predictably Giles ducks under it
       Lee now comes round the wicket. Plenty of eddoft into each ball
        here from the fast bowler.
  36.4 Lee to Giles, no run, banged in short and slanting in to Giles,
        through to the keeper
  36.5 Lee to Giles, two runs, just short of a length and outside the off,
        punched past mid-off for a brace
       And here's the last ball of the day ...
       Over the wicket again comes Lee
  36.6 Lee to Giles, OUT: slightly short, slipping down the leg side, good
        pace, and Giles goes for a glance, through to the keeper and up
        goes the finger!

       England 92/7, Partnership of 13
       AF Giles  c Gilchrist b Lee  11 (13b 2x4 0x6)

End of over 37 (2 runs) England 92/7 (trail by 98 runs)
B Lee 14-5-35-2 (2nb) - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 29* (69b 5x4) 

       Apologies for the confusion on that last dismissal. The excitement
        of a long, full day's cricket is getting to all of us!
       But what a day it has been ...
       England over the moon with getting Australia out for just 190,
        Stephen Harmison kicking in with a superb 5 for 43
       Then came Glenn McGrath, the metronome, and picked up his 500th
        Test wicket, following it up with a brilliant spell that left
        England reeling at 21 for 5
       Geraint Jones and Kevin Pietersen then forged a recovery of sorts,
        but at the end of the day england are still 98 behind and
        struggling at 92 for 7
       We hope you enjoyed the day's play as much we enjoyed bringing it
        to you
       That's it for the moment from us. Join us again tomorrow at 9.30am
        GMT for all the action from the second day's play

Match State: Stumps - Day 1

       Hello and welcome to the Cricinfo's coverage of the second day's
        play of this amazing Ashes Test match at Lord's
       I'm Anand Vasu, and I'll be your commentator for the day.
       Amazing scenes greeted a packed house on the first day. Stephen
        Harmison began the rout with a fierce spell, and ended with 5 for
        43
       But it was Glenn McGrath, the never-say-die metronome, who had the
        last laugh, with a five-wicket burst that broke the back of the
        English batting line-up
       All of a sudden, with England reeling at 92 for 7, and even getting
        there only thanks to Geraint Jones and Kevin Pietersen,
        Australia's 190 doesn't seem so dismal
       The second day has dawned cloudy and a bit overcast, which should
        help McGrath and a pumped up Brett Lee
       The forecast is for a cloudy day with sunny intervals
       The temperature should be in a moderate, pleasant range and the
        humidity is not especially high
       This match has been set up perfectly, as if to prove that loads of
        runs are not the only way you can have an exciting game
       The players have come out on to the field now and play should get
        under way any moment
       Kevin Pitersen is on strike and he has Matthew Hoggard for company
       It will be Shane Warne to start things off at the Nursery End
       This should be fun ... Warne to KP
       The field is attacking - a short leg and a slip for Warne
  37.1 Warne to Pietersen, no run, tossed up and drifting down the leg
        side, goes past Pietersen's pad and to Gilchrist
  37.2 Warne to Pietersen, no run, this is a straight one and on the
        stumps, Pietersen pads up with bat close, loud, loud shout for lbw
        but Pietersen is well forward and survices
  37.3 Warne to Pietersen, no run, a bit of width and short, chopped to
        point
  37.4 Warne to Pietersen, no run, flatter and on the pads, Pietersen
        sqeezes it to the on side
  37.5 Warne to Pietersen, no run, slower and on the stumps, Pietersen
        gets well forward and defends carefully
  37.6 Warne to Pietersen, one run, on the pads again and this time
        Pietersen can work it away through square for a single

End of over 38 (1 run) England 93/7 (trail by 97 runs)
SK Warne 3-1-3-0 - Nursery End
KP Pietersen 30* (75b 5x4) MJ Hoggard 0* (0b)

       Good first over from Warne, keeping the pressure on Pietersen and
        getting a very good shout in. It's not going to be easy to keep
        Warne out of this game even if the quick bowlers have taken all
        the wickets to fall so far
       Five-star McGrath to bowl from the Pavilion End.
       Pietersen backs away as McGrath comes in to bowl and McGrath lets a
        gentle one go anyway. Pietersen slides out of the way and there's
        laughter all round
  38.1 McGrath to Pietersen, FOUR, just short of a length and outside the
        off, Pietersen flashes it hard through point to the third man
        fence
  38.2 McGrath to Pietersen, one run, just short of a length and on the
        off, Pietersen works it to mid-on, his scoring zone, and scampers
        a single
       Hoggard now faces his first ball
  38.3 McGrath to Hoggard, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, Hoggard leaves it well alone. You can't help think McGrath is
        setting up Hoggard by bowling it so far wide of the stumps
  38.4 McGrath to Hoggard, no run, another one well outside the off and
        Hoggard can leave it alone. But the tailender better watch out ...
  38.5 McGrath to Hoggard, no run, and another from McGrath far outside
        the off, he doesn't bowl there without a reason
  38.6 McGrath to Hoggard, no run, short one to end the over, Hoggard
        sways out of the way

End of over 39 (5 runs) England 98/7 (trail by 92 runs)
GD McGrath 14-5-26-5 - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 35* (77b 6x4) MJ Hoggard 0* (4b)

  39.1 Warne to Pietersen, one run, eased past mid-on
  39.2 Warne to Hoggard, no run, tossed up and on the stumps, Hoggard gets
        well forward and defends with bat and pad held close together
  39.3 Warne to Hoggard, no run, down the leg side this time and Hoggard
        just takes it on the pad
  39.4 Warne to Hoggard, no run, that's the straight one, slightly quicker
        too, Hoggard struggles and is beaten but manages not to get out,
        the ball goes through to Gilchrist
  39.5 Warne to Hoggard, no run, floated, teasing, tossed up delivery on
        the pads, spins and takes the outside of the bat and rolls to slip
  39.6 Warne to Hoggard, no run, slightly short and wide, Hoggard goes for
        the cut and misses

End of over 40 (1 run) England 99/7 (trail by 91 runs)
SK Warne 4-1-4-0 - Nursery End
KP Pietersen 35* (78b 6x4) MJ Hoggard 0* (9b)

  40.1 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, full and on the off, shaping in to
        the right-handed Pietersen, who walks across and tries to whip the
        ball to the on side, the ball goes to mid-on
  40.2 McGrath to Pietersen, no run, just short of a length and outside
        the off,Pietersen gets on the back foot and defends
  40.3 McGrath to Pietersen, one run, McGrath goes for the yorker but
        Pietersen squeezes it through midwicket and England get to three
        figures
  40.4 McGrath to Hoggard, no run, another attempted yorker, Hoggard keeps
        it out well
       Two slips and a gully for McGrath when Hoggard is batting, and a
        man at short leg as well
  40.5 McGrath to Hoggard, no run, outside the off ad well short of a
        driving length, left alone
  40.6 McGrath to Hoggard, bye: one run, Gilchrist fumbles one and the
        batsmen can go through for a single

End of over 41 (2 runs) England 101/7 (trail by 89 runs)
GD McGrath 15-5-27-5 - Pavilion End
MJ Hoggard 0* (12b) KP Pietersen 36* (81b 6x4)

  41.1 Warne to Hoggard, no run, tossed up and on the pads, spinning
        across Hoggard, he leaves it alone and it just passes the off
        stump
  41.2 Warne to Hoggard, no run, outside the leg stump now and Hoggard can
        kick it away easily
  41.3 Warne to Hoggard, no run, flat and on the pads, defended with bat
        and pad held close together
  41.4 Warne to Hoggard, OUT: Warne gets his man! Hoggard cuts one that is
        short and a bit wide, Hayden parries the ball that comes fast to
        him and takes a good one-handed reflex catch after. Fine slip
        fielding and Warne has his first wicket of the game!

       England 101/8, Partnership of 9
       MJ Hoggard  c Hayden b Warne  0 (16b 0x4 0x6)
       KP Pietersen 36* (81b 6x4) SK Warne 4.4-1-4-1

  41.5 Warne to Harmison, no run, full and on the off, defended carefully
  41.6 Warne to Harmison, no run, just past the outside edge of Harmison's
        bat. End of a successful over from Warne

End of over 42 (maiden) England 101/8 (trail by 89 runs)
SK Warne 5-2-4-1 - Nursery End
KP Pietersen 36* (81b 6x4) SJ Harmison 0* (2b)

  42.1 McGrath to Pietersen, FOUR, Cracking shot! McGrath is full and
        Pietersen bludgeons that back past the bowler for four. That is
        some hand-eye co-ordination!
  42.2 McGrath to Pietersen, SIX, Maximum! Glenn McGrath being treated by
        a club bolwer on this occasion! Pietersen gets to th epitch of the
        ball and creams it into the stands over long-off. That is an
        incredible shot!
  42.3 McGrath to Pietersen, FOUR, And now a spanking cover drive to bring
        up his half-century! Pietersen really turning it on with power and
        panache. Great knock from him in his first Test innings
  42.4 McGrath to Pietersen, one run, just short of a length and outside
        the off, slanted down to third man for a single
  42.5 McGrath to Harmison, no run, left well alone outside the off stump
       All feedback about the game and our coverage are welcomed http://www.cricinfo.com/co
        mmentary.html
  42.6 McGrath to Harmison, no run, once again left well alone and
        Harmison survives

End of over 43 (15 runs) England 116/8 (trail by 74 runs)
GD McGrath 16-5-42-5 - Pavilion End
KP Pietersen 51* (85b 8x4 1x6) SJ Harmison 0* (4b)

       Just to remind you, we welcome all feedback - positive and negative
        - on our coverage and on the game. Please write in to  http://www.cricinfo.com/co
        mmentary.html
  43.1 Warne to Pietersen, no run, back foot punch through cover but
        Pietersen turns down the single to keep Harmison away from the
        strike
  43.2 Warne to Pietersen, no run, tossed up and inviting the big hit,
        Pietersen goes for it but can't make clean contact
  43.3 Warne to Pietersen, SIX, He's certainly taken the invitation this
        time, and clobbered Warne over midwicket into the hospitality
        boxes in the stands! Audacious shot that!
  43.4 Warne to Pietersen, OUT: Pietersen goes for another mighty hit and
        the ball sails high and handsome between midwicket and long on,
        Damien Martyn charges about twenty metres to his left, dives full
        length and pulls off a stunning catch just metres from the ropes!

       England 122/9, Partnership of 21
       KP Pietersen  c Martyn b Warne  57 (89b 8x4 2x6)
       SJ Harmison 0* (4b) SK Warne 5.4-2-10-2

       That is an incredible catch to brinbg the curtain down on a fine,
        fine innings from Pietersen that saved England's blushes
  43.5 Warne to Harmison, one run, full toss, and Harmison gets down on
        one knee and laps the ball round the corner
  43.6 Warne to SP Jones, one run, outside the opff and Jones gets off the
        mark with a single to third man

End of over 44 (8 runs) England 124/9 (trail by 66 runs)
SK Warne 6-2-12-2 - Nursery End
SP Jones 1* (1b) SJ Harmison 1* (5b)

  44.1 McGrath to SP Jones, no run, full and on th epads, cramping Jones
        up, defended inside out towards mid-off
  44.2 McGrath to SP Jones, no run, played back to McGrath who collects in
        his follow through and has a shu at the stumps but misses
  44.3 McGrath to SP Jones, FOUR, slightly overpitched and Jones takes
        full toll driving through cover with power and placement.
        Excellent shot from Jones!
  44.4 McGrath to SP Jones, no run, bouncer banged in to Jones. He sees it
        early and ducks well under it. Well bowled, well played.
  44.5 McGrath to SP Jones, no run, another slightly short one, this time
        Jones has a go, misses. The ball sails through to Gilchrist
  44.6 McGrath to SP Jones, no run, another short one to end the over.
        Left well alone

End of over 45 (4 runs) England 128/9 (trail by 62 runs)
GD McGrath 17-5-46-5 - Pavilion End
SJ Harmison 1* (5b) SP Jones 5* (7b 1x4)

       Lee brought into the attack. Expect a bouncer or two ...
  45.1 Lee to Harmison, no run, short, fast and furious, airy swish from
        Harmison, but the ball sails through to the keeper without any
        difficulty
  45.2 Lee to Harmison, (noball) no run, No-ball from Lee, he's really
        giving it everything. 100% effort from the fast bowler
  45.2 Lee to Harmison, (noball) no run, And another no-ball. This time
        it's the bouncer. Goes through to the keeper.
  45.2 Lee to Harmison, one run, just back of a length and on the stumps,
        pulled to the on side for a single
  45.3 Lee to SP Jones, two runs, Short and a bit of width, Jones manages
        to get the ball away over the infield towards cover. Not the
        prettiest shot, but it's the result that counts at this stage
  45.4 Lee to SP Jones, FOUR, slightly short again and outside the off,
        Jones backs away and slices this one to the third man boundary.
        Clever batting from Jones
  45.5 Lee to SP Jones, three runs, and once more, not especially pleasing
        to look at, but Jones effectively scoops the ball over the
        infield, sending it towards cover for more invaluable runs
  45.6 Lee to Harmison, one run, now Harmison comes to the party carving
        Lee over point towards third man for a single

End of over 46 (13 runs) England 141/9 (trail by 49 runs)
B Lee 15-5-47-2 (4nb) - Nursery End
SJ Harmison 3* (10b) SP Jones 14* (10b 2x4)

  46.1 McGrath to Harmison, no run, full and down the leg side, Harmison
        swishes and misses, through to Gilchrist
  46.2 McGrath to Harmison, one run, just a bit of width and Harmison is
        able to chop the ball past point for a single
  46.3 McGrath to SP Jones, FOUR, Jones has another big heave and the ball
        slices off his blade and screams away to the third man fence.
        Again not classical from Jones, but precious runs being added
  46.4 McGrath to SP Jones, no run, full and straight, pushed to mid-on
  46.5 McGrath to SP Jones, one run, squeezed past mid-off for a quick
        single. Jones is batting well here
  46.6 McGrath to Harmison, one run, full and swinging in, Harmison has a
        go and the ball runs down to fine leg off the inside edge

End of over 47 (7 runs) England 148/9 (trail by 42 runs)
GD McGrath 18-5-53-5 - Pavilion End
SJ Harmison 5* (13b) SP Jones 19* (13b 3x4)

       Very vital partnership this. It's already worth 26 and that is a
        lot in the context of a low-scoring game.
       new bowl skw
       Warne back in the attack
  47.1 Warne to Harmison, FOUR, tossed up and on the pads, Harmison
        waltzes down the pitch and effortlessly lofts the ball over mid-
        on. That is not the shot of a No. 10 batsman! 150 for England
  47.2 Warne to Harmison, no run, rapped on thwe pad but slipping down the
        leg, half-hearted shout for lbw
  47.3 Warne to Harmison, one run, taken from well outside the off stump
        and swept through square leg for a single
  47.4 Warne to SP Jones, one run, Booming drive to a big turner from
        Warne. Inside edge runs to square leg
  47.5 Warne to Harmison, no run, quicker straight one, Harmison cuts and
        misses, stifled appeal for caught behind
  47.6 Warne to Harmison, one run, lap sweep tp the full toss, another
        single

End of over 48 (7 runs) England 155/9 (trail by 35 runs)
SK Warne 7-2-19-2 - Nursery End
SJ Harmison 11* (18b 1x4) SP Jones 20* (14b 3x4)

       Lee comes into the attack at the Pavilion End
  48.1 Lee to Harmison, OUT: Full and on the off, Harmison goes for a big
        hit but can only spoon a catch to Damien Martyn at mid-off

       England 155/10, Partnership of 33
       SJ Harmison  c Martyn b Lee  11 (19b 1x4 0x6)
       SP Jones 20* (14b 3x4) B Lee 15.1-5-47-3 (4nb)

       End of the England innings and they still trail by 35
       But Australia will not be especially pleased at the number of runs
        the England tail added
       63 runs scored off 11.1 overs this morning
       Australia will bat in their second innings shortly. That should be
        in about 10 minutes.
       This is Anand Vasu, your commentator, signing off very briefly. See
        you again in about 10 minutes!
       Remember to write in to us with any comments you have about our
        coverage or the match. The place to do that is
        http://www.cricinfo.com/co
        mmentary.html
       And the players are back on the field and this is Anand Vasu
        welcoming you back to Cricinfo's coverage of this Ashes Test
       Australia are about to begin their second innings. Hayden and
        Langer run out onto the field to join the England team
       Harmison to begin, Langer on strike
   0.1 Harmison to Langer, one run, And Australia are under way
        immediately as Langer watches a full one and tucks it away to fine
        leg for a single
   0.2 Harmison to Hayden, no run, short ball, a bit of variable bounce as
        the ball does not climb as much as Hayden expected it, struck in
        the midriff
   0.3 Harmison to Hayden, one run, down the leg and Hayden swats it to
        fine leg to get off the mark
   0.4 Harmison to Langer, no run, full and speared in on the stumps,
        Langer manages to defend well with a straight bat
   0.5 Harmison to Langer, no run, just back of a length and outside the
        off - Harmison's standard line and length - and left alone to the
        keeper
   0.6 Harmison to Langer, no run, outside the off and short of a driving
        length, left alone to the keeper who gathers this one low. A touch
        of variable bounce once more on this Lord's pitch

End of over 1 (2 runs) Australia 2/0 (lead by 37 runs)
SJ Harmison 1-0-2-0 - Pavilion End
ML Hayden 1* (2b) JL Langer 1* (4b)

   1.1 Hoggard to Hayden, two runs, full and a touch too straight, Hayden
        tucks the ball away down to fine leg
   1.2 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, just short of a driving length and
        outside the off, Hayden plays on the up to mid-off
   1.3 Hoggard to Hayden, one run, pushed wide of mid-off for a quick
        single
   1.4 Hoggard to Langer, no run, defended to the off side
   1.5 Hoggard to Langer, no run, full and just outside the off, driven to
        cover, Hayden backs up a touch too much and then has to dive back
        to the crease as Pietersen has a shy
   1.6 Hoggard to Langer, FOUR, just a bit of width and Langer can help
        himself to a welcome boundary squeezing the ball past point

End of over 2 (7 runs) Australia 9/0 (lead by 44 runs)
MJ Hoggard 1-0-7-0 - Nursery End
ML Hayden 4* (5b) JL Langer 5* (7b 1x4)

       We can also tell you that Graham Thorpe has announced his
        retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. For
        all the news on that one please do look at http://www.cricinfo.com
   2.1 Harmison to Hayden, no run, pushed to cover
   2.2 Harmison to Hayden, no run, fullish and outside the off, angling
        away from the left-handed Hayden, left alone to the keeper
   2.3 Harmison to Hayden, no run, slightly wider outside the off, still
        full, but Hayden goes for it anyway and misses, the ball beats bat
        and goes to the keeper
   2.4 Harmison to Hayden, no run, and once again left alone. Harmison a
        bit off the pace here today. About 85 mph rather than the 90s he
        was touching regularly yesterday
   2.5 Harmison to Hayden, no run, good bounce and carry on this one as it
        sails through to the keeper after Hayden shoulder arms
   2.6 Harmison to Hayden, no run, on the stumps and quite full, defended
        towards mid-on

End of over 3 (maiden) Australia 9/0 (lead by 44 runs)
SJ Harmison 2-1-2-0 - Pavilion End
JL Langer 5* (7b 1x4) ML Hayden 4* (11b)

   3.1 Hoggard to Langer, one run, pushed to the off side, Pietersen
        screams in and takes a shy at the stumps, Hayden dives in but that
        might well have been out had the ball struck its target!
   3.2 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, defended back down the pitch
   3.3 Hoggard to Hayden, no run
   3.4 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, full and outside the off stump, defended
        carefully towards point
   3.5 Hoggard to Hayden, FOUR, overpitched almost and outside the off,
        not much pace on it either, Hayden absolutely smashes that one
        through the covers. That is Hayden the big bully at his best!
   3.6 Hoggard to Hayden, no run, full and on the stumps, defended this
        time

End of over 4 (5 runs) Australia 14/0 (lead by 49 runs)
MJ Hoggard 2-0-12-0 - Nursery End
JL Langer 6* (8b 1x4) ML Hayden 8* (16b 1x4)

   4.1 Harmison to Langer, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, good pace and carry through to the keeper as Langer shoulders
        arms
   4.2 Harmison to Langer, no run, short and a bit of width. Langer goes
        for the cut. He loves that shot. Straight to point though and no
        runs.
   4.3 Harmison to Langer, no run, just short of a length and on the off,
        a bit of awkward bounce, Langer defends
   4.4 Harmison to Langer, no run, fuller and straighter, clipped to the
        on side
   4.5 Harmison to Langer, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, left alone to the keeper
   4.6 Harmison to Langer, no run, driven firmly but straight to point and
        that's another maiden over from Harmison

End of over 5 (maiden) Australia 14/0 (lead by 49 runs)
SJ Harmison 3-2-2-0 - Pavilion End
ML Hayden 8* (16b 1x4) JL Langer 6* (14b 1x4)

       And here's Freddie! Flintoff replaces Hoggard, who has been
        struggling to swing the ball, at the Nursery End
   5.1 Flintoff to Hayden, no run, Flintoff starts round the wicket and
        lets one go outside the off and on a good length, left well alone
   5.2 Flintoff to Hayden, (noball) two runs, on the pads and full, eased
        through midwicket
   5.2 Flintoff to Hayden, one run, pushed into the off side for another
        easy single
   5.3 Flintoff to Langer, no run, Langer drops the ball down towards
        cover and sprints for a quick single. Kevin Pietersen - you can't
        keep this man out of the game for long - charges in from cover,
        picks the ball up one handed and throws the stumps down underarm,
        Langer dives ...
       But he is found well short by the trhird umpire!

       Australia 18/1, Partnership of 18
       JL Langer  run out (Pietersen)  6 (15b 1x4 0x6)

       Suicidal run from Langer that. He pushed his luck a touch too far
        taking on the fielder's arm and paid the ultimate price
   5.4 Flintoff to Hayden, (noball) no run, Flintoff sends down another
        no-ball
   5.4 Flintoff to Hayden, no run, just short of a good length and on the
        off, defended back down the pitch
   5.5 Flintoff to Hayden, no run, full and this time on the stumps,
        driven back down the pitch with the full face of the bat
   5.6 Flintoff to Hayden, no run, outside the off and moving away a touch
        off the seam, left well alone

End of over 6 (5 runs) Australia 19/1 (lead by 54 runs)
A Flintoff 1-0-5-0 (2nb) - Nursery End
RT Ponting 0* (0b) ML Hayden 11* (23b 1x4)

       End of a successful over for England, and we will now see how
        Australia's captain responds to the challenge. Ponting, after
        receiving several stitches to the gash on his face that occurred
        when the ball hit his helmet yestrday, is at the crease.
   6.1 Harmison to Ponting, no run, good length and on the stumps,
        slanting in, jammed to the on side
   6.2 Harmison to Ponting, no run, Ponting gets in a bit of a tangle
        trying to work a full one to the leg side. The ball pops up back
        down the pitch
   6.3 Harmison to Ponting, two runs, And the Australian skipper is off
        the mark with a neatly played clip past mid-on for a brace
   6.4 Harmison to Ponting, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, left well alone to the keeper
   6.5 Harmison to Ponting, no run, outside the off, short of a length,
        but that one scoots through low and below Ponting's bat! That did
        not even get up shin high! This is tough for any batsman
   6.6 Harmison to Ponting, no run, short one, Harmison bends his back on
        this one and it climbs and soars past a weaving Ponting

End of over 7 (2 runs) Australia 21/1 (lead by 56 runs)
SJ Harmison 4-2-4-0 - Pavilion End
ML Hayden 11* (23b 1x4) RT Ponting 2* (6b)

   7.1 Flintoff to Hayden, one run, pushed to the off side and a slight
        misfield from Pietersen gives away the single
   7.2 Flintoff to Ponting, three runs, just short of a good length and
        outside the off, Ponting waits on the ball and punches it with
        fine timing and placement through point. Excellent running gives
        the batsman three as Jones throws the ball in from the outfield
   7.3 Flintoff to Hayden, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, defended, off the edge towards the slips cordon
   7.4 Flintoff to Hayden, FOUR, just short of a length and outside the
        off, Hayden stands tall, opens those powerful shoulders of his and
        biffs the ball past mid-off for four!
   7.5 Flintoff to Hayden, two runs, this one is easily worked to the on
        side for a couple
   7.6 Flintoff to Hayden, one run, overpitched and outside the off,
        driven to cover for a single

End of over 8 (11 runs) Australia 32/1 (lead by 67 runs)
A Flintoff 2-0-16-0 (2nb) - Nursery End
ML Hayden 19* (28b 2x4) RT Ponting 5* (7b)

   8.1 Harmison to Hayden, no run, short ball outside the off, Hayden goes
        for some sort of pull but can only bottom edge the ball down to
        the slips cordon
   8.2 Harmison to Hayden, no run, just short of a length and on the off,
        driven to cover
   8.3 Harmison to Hayden, FOUR, short, a bit of width, and Hayden would
        not appreciate this one more if it was gift-wrapped. He climbs
        into it and brutalises it through cover!
   8.4 Harmison to Hayden, no run, fullish and outside the off, left well
        alone
   8.5 Harmison to Hayden, no run, once again outside the off and left
        alone
       We're nearing lunch on the second day now, and Australia seem to
        have picked up the pace. Do write in with all your comments on our
        coverage at:  http://www.cricinfo.com/co
        mmentary.html
   8.6 Harmison to Hayden, one run, short one, Hayden once again tackles
        it awkwardly and the ball bobs off down the leg side

End of over 9 (5 runs) Australia 37/1 (lead by 72 runs)
SJ Harmison 5-2-9-0 - Pavilion End
ML Hayden 24* (34b 3x4) RT Ponting 5* (7b)

       Simon Jones comes into the attack now
   9.1 SP Jones to Hayden, FOUR, Jones begins with a loosener down the leg
        side, only 84 mph and misdirected, Hayden has no trouble
        swivelling and cracking the ball down to fine leg!
   9.2 SP Jones to Hayden, no run, just short of a good length and on the
        off, defended with a straight bat
   9.3 SP Jones to Hayden, no run, fuller and just a touch outside the
        off, the ball suggests it might swing in late but holds its line,
        Hayden wisely leaves it alone to the keeper
   9.4 SP Jones to Hayden, no run, full and wide outside the off, elft
        alone
   9.5 SP Jones to Hayden, no run, full and outside the off, left alone to
        the keeper once more
   9.6 SP Jones to Hayden, no run, on the stumps this time and shaping in,
        Hayden covers the swing and defends

End of over 10 (4 runs) Australia 41/1 (lead by 76 runs)
SP Jones 1-0-4-0 - Nursery End
RT Ponting 5* (7b) ML Hayden 28* (40b 4x4)

  10.1 Harmison to Ponting, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, no menacing pace though from Harmison today - or not yet
        anyway - and Ponting has no trouble watching the ball carefully
        and letting it go
  10.2 Harmison to Ponting, one run, on th epads and fuller, clipped away
        to the leg sidew for a quick single
  10.3 Harmison to Hayden, no run, just short of a length and on the off,
        Hayden stands tall and defends
  10.4 Harmison to Hayden, no run, just short of a good length and outside
        the off, left alone to the keeper
  10.5 Harmison to Hayden, no run, short one but the radar is off, down
        the leg side and the only person troubled isGeraint Jones
  10.6 Harmison to Hayden, no run, left well alone to end the over

End of over 11 (1 run) Australia 42/1 (lead by 77 runs)
SJ Harmison 6-2-10-0 - Pavilion End
RT Ponting 6* (9b) ML Hayden 28* (44b 4x4)

  11.1 SP Jones to Ponting, no run, full and on the off, driven to mid-off
  11.2 SP Jones to Ponting, one run, once gain it 41 4;once again it is
        full and straight but tthis time Ponting manages to hit it to the
        right of mid-off and take a single
  11.3 SP Jones to Hayden, FOUR, short ball, a bit too straight, Hayden
        welcomes that and transfers his weight beautifully onto the back
        foot and pulls through square leg!
  11.4 SP Jones to Hayden, no run, overpitched and outside the off, driven
        to mid off
  11.5 SP Jones to Hayden, no run, outside the off, fullish, not doing
        much at all, left alone by Hayden
  11.6 SP Jones to Hayden, no run, and once again it's full, outside the
        off, and Hayden leaves it well alone knowing his lunch is waiting
        for him in the dressing room!

End of over 12 (5 runs) Australia 47/1 (lead by 82 runs)
SP Jones 2-0-9-0 - Nursery End
RT Ponting 7* (11b) ML Hayden 32* (48b 5x4)

Match State: Lunch - Day 2

       With that, it's lunch. Australia are 82 ahead and in decent control
        it appears.
       Hayden and Ponting will be back in 40 minutes to resume their
        battle against England's bowlers. We'll be there before that!
       Do join us in about 35 minutes, at 12.10GMT for all the action from
        the post-lunch session.
       Till then, this is Anand Vasu, your commentator, signing off. Do
        write to us with all your thoughts on the game and our coverage at
        :  http://www.cricinfo.com/co
        mmentary.html
       Hello again! This si Anand Vasu welcoming you to Cricinfo's
        coverage of the post-lunch session of play on the second day of
        the first Ashes Test
       The players are on the field and play is about to begin
       Ponting is facing and Flintoff will begin the attack
  12.1 Flintoff to Ponting, no run, fullish and on the off, slanting in to
        the right-handed Ricky Ponting. Defended carefully to the on side
  12.2 Flintoff to Ponting, no run, this one comes in with the arm,
        pitches just outside the off on a good length and moves away. Left
        well alone
  12.3 Flintoff to Ponting, no run, fuller and straighter, Ponting defends
        back down the wicket with a straight bat
  12.4 Flintoff to Ponting, one run, full and on the off, Ponting opens
        the face of the bat ever so slightly and guides the ball wide of
        mid-off to pick up a single and rotate the strike
  12.5 Flintoff to Hayden, no run, left alone outside the off, the ball
        goes to the keeper
  12.6 Flintoff to Hayden, two runs, short ball from Flintoff and Hayden
        goes for the pull. The ball goes off the edge and flies up but
        lands safe of the man at fine leg sho is quite square. Brings up
        the 50 for Australia

End of over 13 (3 runs) Australia 50/1 (lead by 85 runs)
A Flintoff 3-0-19-0 (2nb) - Pavilion End
RT Ponting 8* (15b) ML Hayden 34* (50b 5x4)

  13.1 SP Jones to Ponting, FOUR, leg stump full toss, don't bowl to
        Ponting there unless you want to see that Kookaburra bat flashing
        in an arc and sending the ball sizzling across the turf to the
        square leg fence
  13.2 SP Jones to Ponting, no run, just short of a good length and
        outside the off, left alone to the keeper
  13.3 SP Jones to Ponting, no run, just short of a length and outside the
        off, a hint of outside, left well alone by Ponting who appears to
        be seeing the ball quite well here
  13.4 SP Jones to Ponting, no run, full and on the off, Ponting falls
        across a little but is well behind the line of the ball and can
        play it away to mid off with ease
  13.5 SP Jones to Ponting, no run, slightly shorter and slanting into the
        pads, Ponting works it away to square leg
  13.6 SP Jones to Ponting, no run, slightly shorter this time but it is a
        good ball, exaggerated away movement after pitching. Ponting
        leaves it alone and nods in appreciation

End of over 14 (4 runs) Australia 54/1 (lead by 89 runs)
SP Jones 3-0-13-0 - Nursery End
ML Hayden 34* (50b 5x4) RT Ponting 12* (21b 1x4)

  14.1 Flintoff to Hayden, no run, quick, keeping a touch low, speared
        into the pads, Hayden can't quite get