England holds on for a draw in the Ashes 2009 First Test Match

England 435 & 252/9 - MATCH DRAWN
Australia: 674/6d

Day 5 LIVE Updates

And the match is drawn. England tailenders James Anderson and Monty Panesar have negotiated the Australian bowling attack for 40 minutes to save the first test match. All credit to Paul Collingwood who played a terrific knock to clinch a draw. Paul Collingwood scored 74 in 245 balls which lasted for about five hours forty five minutes. The draw must be a huge relief for England skipper Andrew Strauss. Australia tried everything, put a fantastic effort but was denied the victory. So its still 0-0 and 4 more test matches to go in this exciting Ashes 2009 series. Ricky Ponting receives the Man of the match award. He gets a cheque worth 2500 pounds. The second test match will start on July 16 at Lord's. Check out the full Ashes 2009 Schedule.

Andrew Strauss quotes
"All credit to Paul Collingwood. What a knock that was. He does it time and time again. Outstanding. But also the two at the end, Monty and Jimmy"
"They showed a lot of character and fight and thankfully it's still nil all. We recognise there's a lot to work on for Lord's."
On changes in the squad for the second test - "Not sure. We'll name the squad tomorrow afternoon and think with calm heads...it's a huge lift, momentum is everything for us, we need to play better. We're just very, very thankful and proud for the fight we showed today."

Ricky Ponting quotes
"I'd give this back straight away for another wicket,"
"[England] did a good job,"
"We're not jumping to any conclusions and we have to play at the level we played in this game if we're to win."

James Anderson quotes
"It's huge that we're still level in the series, with Lord's in a few days,"
"It is a massive boost for us. It was a tricky last couple of hours but we are so happy to come out with a draw."

Over 105: England lead by 13 runs. And handshakes. The match is drawn. England played extremely well to draw the match.
England 435 & 252/9 (105 Overs) James Anderson 21*(53), Monty Panesar 7*(35)

Over 104: Marcus North to continue. England survives another over.
England 435 & 251/9 (104 Overs) James Anderson 21*(47), Monty Panesar 7*(35)

Over 103: Maiden over. England lead by 12 runs. 2 overs left in the match.
England 435 & 251/9 (103 Overs) James Anderson 21*(47), Monty Panesar 7*(29)

Over 102: Marcus North comes into the attack. A misfield goes to four and England might just save this game. England leads by 12 runs. Minimum of 3 overs to be bowled.
England 435 & 251/9 (102 Overs) James Anderson 20*(41), Monty Panesar 7*(29)

Over 101: Hauritz to continue. One run from the over. Four overs to go.
England 435 & 246/9 (101 Overs) James Anderson 20*(40), Monty Panesar 2*(24)

Over 100: A maiden over. England leads by 6 runs. 5 overs to go.
England 435 & 245/9 (100 Overs) James Anderson 19*(37), Monty Panesar 2*(21)

Over 99: One run from the over. England lead by 6 runs.
England 435 & 245/9 (99 Overs) James Anderson 19*(37), Monty Panesar 2*(15)

Over 98: Anderson hits a couple of fours and England leads by 5 runs. A minimum of 7 overs left in the game.
England 435 & 244/9 (98 Overs) James Anderson 19*(32), Monty Panesar 2*(14)

Over 97: A maiden over from Hauritz. 8 overs left in the match.
England 435 & 236/9 (97 Overs) James Anderson 11*(26), Monty Panesar 2*(14)

Over 96: Another over negotiated. 9 overs to go.
England 435 & 236/9 (96 Overs) James Anderson 11*(26), Monty Panesar 2*(8)

Over 95: Maiden over. England trail by 4 runs. 10 overs to go.
England 435 & 235/9 (95 Overs) James Anderson 11*(26), Monty Panesar 1*(2)

Over 94: 3 runs from the over. 11 overs to go. Australia need 1 more wicket to win the first test match.
England 435 & 235/9 (94 Overs) James Anderson 11*(20), Monty Panesar 1*(2)

Over 93.3: And Peter Siddle strikes for Australia. Collingwood OUT 74(245). Monty Panesar is the new man in.
England 435 & 233/8 (93.3 Overs) Paul Collingwood 74(245), James Anderson 10*(19)

Over 93: Maiden from Nathan Hauritz. Another over negotiated.
England 435 & 232/8 (93 Overs) Paul Collingwood 74*(243), James Anderson 9*(18)

Over 92: Anderson smashes a wide delivery from Mitchell Johnson for a four. Crowd cheers. 13 overs to go. The deficit is 7 runs.
England 435 & 232/8 (92 Overs) Paul Collingwood 74*(237), James Anderson 9*(18)

Over 91: 3 from the over. England trail by 11. 14 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 228/8 (91 Overs) Paul Collingwood 74*(237), James Anderson 5*(12)

Over 90: 1 run from the over. England trail by 14. 15 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 225/8 (90 Overs) Paul Collingwood 74*(232), James Anderson 2*(11)

Over 89: Nathan Hauritz comes into the attack. Just one run from the over. 16 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 224/8 (89 Overs) Paul Collingwood 74*(231), James Anderson 1*(6)

Over 88: 2 runs in the over. England trail by 16 runs. 17 overs left in the match.
England 435 & 223/8 (88 Overs) Paul Collingwood 74*(226), James Anderson 0*(5)

Over 87: James Anderson is the new man in. 18 overs left in the day. Australia needs 2 wickets to win the match.
England 435 & 221/8 (87 Overs) Paul Collingwood 72*(220), James Anderson 0*(5)

Over 86.1: And finally a much needed break through for Australia. Swann OUT 31(63). Hilfenhaus strikes.
England 435 & 221/8 (86.1 Overs) Paul Collingwood 72*(220), Graeme Swann 31(63)

Over 86: Johnson to continue. 6 runs from the over. 19 overs left in the day. The deficit is now 18 runs.
England 435 & 221/7 (86 Overs) Paul Collingwood 72*(220), Graeme Swann 31*(62)

Over 85: Swann hits the second ball for a four. 4 runs from Hilfenhaus's over. 20 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 215/7 (85 Overs) Paul Collingwood 66*(214), Graeme Swann 31*(62)

Over 84: A first ball wide brings up the fifty partnership. 3 runs from the over. 22 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 211/7 (84 Overs) Paul Collingwood 66*(214), Graeme Swann 27*(56)

Over 83: A loud shout for LBW and Umpire Aleem Daar shakes his head. 6 runs from the over. 22 overs left in the day. England trail by 31 runs.
England 435 & 208/7 (83 Overs) Paul Collingwood 64*(208), Graeme Swann 27*(56)

Over 82: Mitchell Johnson comes into the attack. 23 overs left in the match.
England 435 & 202/7 (82 Overs) Paul Collingwood 64*(208), Graeme Swann 21*(50)

Over 81: Ben Hilfenhaus comes into the attack. First delivery off the new ball goes past the outside edge. A bit of encouragement for Australia. One run from the over and Collingwood retains strike. 24 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 201/7 (81 Overs) Paul Collingwood 64*(202), Graeme Swann 21*(50)

Over 80: 6 runs from the over. 25 overs left in the day. England trail by 39 runs. And Australia takes the new ball.
England 435 & 200/7 (80 Overs) Paul Collingwood 63*(196), Graeme Swann 21*(50)

Over 79: Hauritz to bowl from round the wicket to Swann. 4 men in catching position. 5 runs from the over. 26 overs left in the day. 1 over to go before the new ball can be taken.
England 435 & 194/7 (79 Overs) Paul Collingwood 63*(196), Graeme Swann 19*(44)

Over 78: 3 runs from Katich's over. 27 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 189/7 (78 Overs) Paul Collingwood 63*(194), Graeme Swann 13*(40)

Over 77: Nathan Hauritz to continue. 3 runs from the over. 28 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 186/7 (77 Overs) Paul Collingwood 63*(193), Graeme Swann 11*(35)

Over 76: Simon Katich into the attack. Just a few overs left for the new ball. 2 runs from the over. 29 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 183/7 (76 Overs) Paul Collingwood 61*(189), Graeme Swann 10*(33)

Over 75: Just one run from that over. England trail by 58. 30 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 181/7 (75 Overs) Paul Collingwood 60*(186), Graeme Swann 9*(30)

Over 74: Peter Siddle to continue. A good drive from Swann and the ball races to the boundary. Swann goes for a straight drive, but the ball hits the stumps at the non-striking end. Another shot ball hits the helmet of Swann and they run for 2. 7 runs from the over.
England 435 & 180/7 (74 Overs) Paul Collingwood 59*(184), Graeme Swann 9*(26)

Over 73: Hauritz to continue. England trial by 66 runs.
England 435 & 173/7 (73 Overs) Paul Collingwood 58*(183), Graeme Swann 5*(21)

Over 72: Just one run from the over after tea.
England 435 & 170/7 (72 Overs) Paul Collingwood 56*(179), Graeme Swann 4*(19)

And it's Tea on Day 5 of the first test. A good one for Australia again. England are 169/7 with 3 wickets in hand. Paul Collingwood is at crease unbeaten on 55 runs. They still trail by 70 runs. Join us for the final session in about 20 minutes.

Over 71: 3 runs from that over. And it's tea on the final day of first test match.
England 435 & 169/7 (71 Overs) Paul Collingwood 55*(177), Graeme Swann 4*(15)

Over 70: Peter Siddle to continue. Siddle fires in a bouncer and it hits Swann right on the fingers. One run from the over. Swann got hit thrice in that over.
England 435 & 166/7 (70 Overs) Paul Collingwood 52*(173), Graeme Swann 4*(13)

Over 69: Just 1 run from the over.
England 435 & 165/7 (69 Overs) Paul Collingwood 51*(171), Graeme Swann 4*(9)

Over 68: 38 overs left in the day. And a single on the leg side brings up his fifth. A good effort by Collingwood there trying to save the match for England. 5 runs from the over.
England 435 & 164/7 (68 Overs) Paul Collingwood 50*(167), Graeme Swann 4*(7)

Over 67: Graeme Swann is the new man in. Nathan Hauritz picks up his 6th wicket in the match. Maiden wicket for Hauritz.
England 435 & 159/7 (67 Overs) Paul Collingwood 49*(166), Graeme Swann 0*(2)

Over 66.4: And Nathan Hauritz gets the break. Stuart Broad OUT 14(47). 3 more wickets for Australia. England in a crisis.
England 435 & 159/7 (66.4 Overs) Paul Collingwood 49*(166), Stuart Broad 14(47)

Over 66: Just one run from the over. 39 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 159/6 (66 Overs) Paul Collingwood 49*(166), Stuart Broad 14*(43)

Over 65: Hauritz to continue. Just one run from the over.
England 435 & 158/6 (65 Overs) Paul Collingwood 49*(159), Stuart Broad 14*(43)

Over 64: Edge off Stuart Broad's bat falls shot of Ricky Ponting at second slip. 6 runs from the over.
England 435 & 157/6 (64 Overs) Paul Collingwood 48*(155), Stuart Broad 14*(41)

Over 63: 3 runs from the over.
England 435 & 151/6 (63 Overs) Paul Collingwood 48*(154), Stuart Broad 10*(36)

Over 62: Peter Siddle into the attack. Just one run from the over.
England 435 & 148/6 (62 Overs) Paul Collingwood 48*(147), Stuart Broad 10*(35)

Over 61: 4 runs from the over.
England 435 & 147/6 (61 Overs) Paul Collingwood 48*(145), Stuart Broad 9*(31)

Over 60: North to continue. Peter Siddle is warming up on the field. That's 4 maiden overs in a row.
England 435 & 143/6 (60 Overs) Paul Collingwood 44*(139), Stuart Broad 9*(31)

Over 59: Nathan Hauritz to continue his spell. That's another maiden over. England will be happy with those maidens as long as they don't lose any wickets.
England 435 & 143/6 (59 Overs) Paul Collingwood 44*(139), Stuart Broad 9*(25)

Over 58: Marcus North to continue. Another maiden over.
England 435 & 143/6 (58 Overs) Paul Collingwood 44*(133), Stuart Broad 9*(25)

Over 57: Ponting having a chat with the bowler Nathan Hauritz. 4 men in catching positions for Stuart Broad. 1 run from the over.
England 435 & 143/6 (57 Overs) Paul Collingwood 44*(133), Stuart Broad 9*(19)

Over 56: A pull from Collingwood takes him to 44.
England 435 & 142/6 (56 Overs) Paul Collingwood 44*(128), Stuart Broad 8*(18)

Over 55: Another maiden over. England are 137/6. Still 50 overs left in the day.
England 435 & 137/6 (55 Overs) Paul Collingwood 40*(125), Stuart Broad 7*(15)

Over 54: Marcus North into the attack. A maiden over. England trail by 102 runs with 4 wickets remaining.
England 435 & 137/6 (54 Overs) Paul Collingwood 40*(119), Stuart Broad 7*(15)

Over 53: 3 runs from Hauritz's over.
England 435 & 134/6 (53 Overs) Paul Collingwood 40*(119), Stuart Broad 7*(9)

Over 52: 4 runs from the over.
England 435 & 134/6 (52 Overs) Paul Collingwood 40*(116), Stuart Broad 4*(6)

Over 51: 3 runs from Hauritz's over.
England 435 & 130/6 (51 Overs) Paul Collingwood 39*(112), Stuart Broad 1*(4)

Over 50: And that's Ricky Ponting's 150th catch in test cricket. Stuart Broad is the new man in. A quick shout for LBW. That ball looks like it might hit the legstump and Hawk eye thinks the same. A successful over for Australia.
England 435 & 127/6 (50 Overs) Paul Collingwood 37*(108), Stuart Broad 0*(2)

Over 49.4: Mitchell Johnson is still on. And he gets the break finally. Flintoff OUT 26(71). He was caught in the slip by Ricky Ponting off Mitchell Johnson. The partnership breaks.
England 435 & 127/6 (50.4 Overs) Paul Collingwood 37*(108), Andrew Flintoff 26(71)

Over 49: Maiden over from Hauritz
England 435 & 126/5 (49 Overs) Paul Collingwood 36*(105), Andrew Flintoff 26*(70)

Over 48: 2 runs from the over.
England 435 & 126/5 (48 Overs) Paul Collingwood 36*(105), Andrew Flintoff 26*(64)

Over 47: Hilfenhaus to continue. He has taken 2 wickets so far. A maiden over.
England 435 & 124/5 (47 Overs) Paul Collingwood 35*(103), Andrew Flintoff 25*(60)

Over 46: England trail by 115 runs. 3 runs from the over.
England 435 & 124/5 (46 Overs) Paul Collingwood 35*(103), Andrew Flintoff 25*(54)

Over 45: 3 runs from Flintoff gives 50 runs partnership for the pair. 3 runs from the over.
England 435 & 121/5 (45 Overs) Paul Collingwood 35*(100), Andrew Flintoff 22*(51)

Over 44: A maiden over from Johnson. England trail by 118 runs.
England 435 & 118/5 (44 Overs) Paul Collingwood 35*(97), Andrew Flintoff 19*(48)

Over 43: A glorious drive from Flintoff gives him a four. And a good comeback by Hilfenhaus, just missing the edge of the bat to the keeper. And another edge from Flintoff runs to the boundary. No second slip there. 98 runs from the over.
England 435 & 118/5 (43 Overs) Paul Collingwood 35*(91), Andrew Flintoff 19*(48)

Over 42: 4 leg byes off the last ball of Johnson's over. England batsmen playing cautiously. Their strategy is clear, bat the whole day and save the game.
England 435 & 109/5 (42 Overs) Paul Collingwood 35*(91), Andrew Flintoff 11*(41)

Over 41: Hilfenhaus bowls two no-balls in that over and those are the only runs England scored in that over.
England 435 & 105/5 (41 Overs) Paul Collingwood 35*(85), Andrew Flintoff 11*(41)

Over 40: Johnson to continue. Just 1 wide from the over. England tail by 136 runs.
England 435 & 103/5 (40 Overs) Paul Collingwood 35*(85), Andrew Flintoff 11*(33)

Over 39: Ben Hilfenhaus to bowl to Andrew Flintoff. A maiden over.
England 435 & 102/5 (39 Overs) Paul Collingwood 35*(79), Andrew Flintoff 11*(33)

Over 38: Welcome to Session 2 on the final day of first test match. Mitchell Johnson into the attack right away. A good maiden first over in the second session.
England 435 & 102/5 (38 Overs) Paul Collingwood 35*(79), Andrew Flintoff 11*(27)

England 435 & 102/5 (37 Overs) at Lunch; Paul Collingwood 35*(73), Andrew Flintoff 11*(27)
England trail by 137 runs with 5 wickets in hand.

And that's lunch on the final day of the first test. A very good session for Australia as they picked up 3 wickets. England trail by 137 runs. Hauritz picked up 2 wickets in the second innings and Siddle picked up the crucial wicket of Kevin Pietersen in the morning. A good partnership between Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff is very much necessary for England now to save the test match.

Over 37: And eight runs from the last over before lunch. They trail by 137 runs.
England 435 & 102/5 (37 Overs) Paul Collingwood 35*(73), Andrew Flintoff 11*(27)

Over 36: Marcus North in the attack now. He has taken 2 wickets in the 3 test matches he played. 4 runs from the over.
England 435 & 94/5 (36 Overs) Paul Collingwood 32*(71), Andrew Flintoff 6*(23)

Over 35: Ponting having a conversation with Hauritz. Mitchell Johnson loosening up at the ropes. And it's a maiden over.
England 435 & 90/5 (35 Overs) Paul Collingwood 28*(65), Andrew Flintoff 6*(23)

Over 34: 4 runs from Michael Clarke's over. England trail by 149 runs.
England 435 & 90/5 (34 Overs) Paul Collingwood 28*(65), Andrew Flintoff 6*(17)

Over 33: 3 runs from Hauritz's over. England trail by 153 runs.
England 435 & 86/5 (33 Overs) Paul Collingwood 24*(59), Andrew Flintoff 6*(17)

Over 32: Clarke not getting much of a turn there. 3 runs from the over.
England 435 & 83/5 (32 Overs) Paul Collingwood 22*(57), Andrew Flintoff 5*(13)

Over 31: Hauritz to continue. One run from the over.
England 435 & 80/5 (31 Overs) Paul Collingwood 20*(52), Andrew Flintoff 4*(12)

Over 30: Michael Clarke in the attack. 2 runs from the over.
England 435 & 79/5 (30 Overs) Paul Collingwood 19*(46), Andrew Flintoff 4*(12)

Over 29: Just one run from Hauritz's over.
England 435 & 77/5 (29 Overs) Paul Collingwood 19*(42), Andrew Flintoff 3*(10)

Over 28: Peter Siddle to continue. Siddle and Hauritz's spell is working for Australia. They took 3 wickets so far today. Australia needs 5 more wickets for a victory in this test match. An edge from Collingwood runs to the boundary. 5 runs from the over.
England 435 & 76/5 (28 Overs) Paul Collingwood 19*(42), Andrew Flintoff 2*(4)

Over 27: Good over from Hauritz. Run and a wicket from that over. England trail by 168 runs.
England 435 & 71/5 (27 Overs) Paul Collingwood 15*(38), Andrew Flintoff 1*(2)

Over 26.3: And there goes another wicket. Matt Prior OUT 14(32). Hauritz takes another wicket. Andrew Flintoff is the new man in.
England 435 & 70/5 (26.3 Overs) Paul Collingwood 15*(37), Matt Prior 14(32)

Over 26: Good over for England. 6 runs from it.
England 435 & 70/4 (26 Overs) Paul Collingwood 15*(37), Matt Prior 14*(29)

Over 25: Hauritz to bowl to Collingwood. 1 run from the over.
England 435 & 64/4 (25 Overs) Paul Collingwood 12*(33), Matt Prior 11*(27)

Over 24: 4 byes from the last ball of the over.
England 435 & 63/4 (24 Overs) Paul Collingwood 11*(30), Matt Prior 11*(24)

Over 23: 3 runs from the over. Few chances for Australia there, but they were tough.
England 435 & 59/4 (23 Overs) Paul Collingwood 11*(30), Matt Prior 11*(18)

Over 22: Siddle continues his spell. He is bowling very good so far in the match today. Just one run from the over.
England 435 & 56/4 (22 Overs) Paul Collingwood 11*(26), Matt Prior 8*(16)

Over 21: A couple of shouts for LBW in Hauritz's over. Umpire Aleem Dar says no to both of them. Good Maiden from Hauritz.
England 435 & 55/4 (21 Overs) Paul Collingwood 11*(23), Matt Prior 7*(13)

Over 20: Siddle to continue. 4 runs from the over.
England 435 & 55/4 (20 Overs) Paul Collingwood 11*(17), Matt Prior 7*(13)

Over 19: Nathan Hauritz to continue. And Matt Prior gets off the mark with a double.
England 435 & 51/4 (19 Overs) Paul Collingwood 11*(17), Matt Prior 3*(7)

Over 18: Matt Prior is the new man in. Peter Siddle replaces Mitchell Johnson. One run from the over. England trail by 192 runs with 6 wickets remaining.
England 435 & 47/4 (18 Overs) Paul Collingwood 10*(13), Matt Prior 0*(5)

Over 17: Strauss looks like a very patient man. He is determined to save this test match. Strauss hits a 4 off a fractionally short ball and the crowd cheers. And he is gone the next ball. Strauss OUT 17(54). Nathan Hauritz strikes.
England 435 & 46/4 (17 Overs) Andrew Strauss 17(54), Paul Collingwood 9*(12)

Over 16: 1 run from Johnson's over. England trial by 197 runs.
England 435 & 42/3 (16 Overs) Andrew Strauss 13*(48), Paul Collingwood 9*(12)

Over 15: Nathan Hauritz in the attack for the first time in the second innings. He took 3 wickets for 95 runs in the first innings. A maiden from Hauritz
England 435 & 41/3 (15 Overs) Andrew Strauss 12*(42), Paul Collingwood 9*(12)

Over 14: And that's a maiden. A good over from Johnson again.
England 435 & 41/3 (14 Overs) Andrew Strauss 12*(42), Paul Collingwood 9*(6)

Over 13: 6 runs from the over.
England 435 & 41/3 (13 Overs) Andrew Strauss 12*(36), Paul Collingwood 9*(6)

Over 12: Johnson to continue. Just one run from the over. A good one from Johnson.
England 435 & 35/3 (12 Overs) Andrew Strauss 11*(34), Paul Collingwood 4*(2)

Over 11: Paul Collingwood is the new man in. England in a crisis situation here and this is just what the Aussies wanted, a wicket in the first 20 mins. of play. He is off the mark the very first ball. Successful over for Australia.
England 435 & 34/3 (11 Overs) Andrew Strauss 11*(29), Paul Collingwood 3*(1)

Over 10.4: Hilfenhaus to continue. An edge off Pietersen goes up in the air but falls safe. Hilfenhaus comes back strongly. Bowled Kevin Pietersen 8(24). What a wicket for Australia. A misjudgement from Pietersen there.
England 435 & 31/3 (10.4 Overs) Andrew Strauss 11*(28), Kevin Pietersen 8(24)

Over 10: Mitchell Johnson in the attack. The pitch looks slow as an edge from Pietersen fell short of Ricky Ponting in the second slip. 3 runs from the over.
England 435 & 28/2 (10 Overs) Andrew Strauss 10*(27), Kevin Pietersen 6*(21)

Over 9: Ben Hilfenhaus to bowl from the other end. A loud shout for LBW as the ball brushes Pietersen's pad. Just 1 run from the over.
England 435 & 25/2 (9 Overs) Andrew Strauss 8*(25), Kevin Pietersen 5*(17)

Over 8: A single of the second ball of the over. 98 overs will be bowled today. So, England has 98 overs to survive and Australia have 98 overs to bowl out England and win the first test match. 4 runs from the first over of the day.
England 435 & 24/2 (8 Overs) Andrew Strauss 7*(22), Kevin Pietersen 5*(14)

Ricky Ponting marshalling his men on the field. Peter Siddle to bowl the first over of the day. Two slips and a gully for Strauss.

Ricky Ponting and his men are in a huddle on the ground. Strauss and Pietersen walks in. An exciting day of action ahead.

Welcome to the final day of the first Ashes 2009 Test match between England and Australia. After the rain yesterday, the match will start on time today. It's 17°C now and it's partly cloudy. England are 219 runs behind and they have 8 wickets in hand. Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen are at crease at Stumps on Day 3.

Day 4

Day 4 started with heavy clouded conditions and Marcus North and Brad Haddin punished the English bowling attack. North reached his first Ashes century. At lunch Australia had reached 577/5. After lunch, Haddin became the destroyer-in-chief, flicking three successive Anderson deliveries to the boundary and closed in on his second Test ton with booming sixes off the ineffective English attack. When Haddin was finally dismissed, skipper Ricky Ponting declared the Australian innings at 674/6, the largest total against England since 1934 and fourth highest in The Ashes series. In the short time before tea England failed miserably to hold on, losing Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara. The rain started as tea was taken and play ended for the day with England 219 runs behind in dire straits to save the match.

England 435 & 20/2 (7 Overs) Andrew Strauss 6*(20), Kevin Pietersen 3*(9)
Australia: 674/6 dec.

Day 3

Michael Clarke and Marcus North helped Australia get a lead of 44 runs by the end of Day 3 at Cardiff. After skipper Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich laid the stage for a big lead, Clarke and North played sensibly taking runs at regular intervals to ensure Australia gets a lead in the first innings of the first test match. Clarke appeared to score his first test century against England, but he gloved a pull off Stuart Broad after a two-hour rain delay in the third session. The third session was played under lights for the first time in a test match in England.

Australia reached 479/5 at stumps on Day 3 with Marcus North on 54 and Brad Haddin on 4. Earlier captain Ricky Ponting scored 150 and Simon Katich 122. Katich was the first man to depart off James Anderson's bowling on day 3 after England took the second new ball. Australia lead by 44 runs.

Australia: 479/5 (139 overs) Ricky Ponting 150, Simon Katich 122, Michael Clarke 83

England: 435 (106.5 overs)

Day 2

A great day for Australia. An unbeaten second wicket partnership between skipper Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich of 189 runs helped Australia reach 249/1 at end on Day 2. The deficit is 186 runs now, but more importantly, England has to deal with the centurions Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich tomorrow.

Australia: 249/1 (71 overs) Ricky Ponting 100*(155), Simon Katich 104*(219)

England: 435 (106.5 overs)

Day 1

England won the toss and chose to bat first in the first Ashes 2009 test match. England slumped to 90/3 early but recovered with a fine partnership of 138 runs between Pietersen and Collingwood. Nathan Hauritz dismissed Pietersen for the crucial fifth wicket when he offered a simple catch to short leg, attempting to sweep from outside the off stump. Australia did well in the end as Peter Siddle picked up two crucial wickets in the last four overs of play. England ended the day at 336/7.

England : 336/7 (90.0 overs)

Andrew Strauss 30(60), Ravi Bopara 35(52), Kevin Pietersen 69(141), Paul Collingwood 64(145), Matt Prior 56 (62), Andrew Flintoff