My take on day 1 is that it's good to see so many England batsmen who look like they have some form, although it was disappointing that none of them manged to go to make 100+
Strauss hit 30 before failing to get out of the way of a bouncer
Cook was the only one who didn't really do it, playing at a wide one and going down to a good catch
Bopara looked like he was playing well before being done by a good slow ball
Pietersen hit 69 before giving his wicket away - he won't do that again this series
Collingwood hit 60+ before being caught behind to a good ball
Prior hit a quick-fire 50+ before succumbing to a good inswinger
Flintoff looked like he was enjoying himself before playing on a poor delivery well outside off-stump
Anderson and Broad look ok from the few deliveries faced
Aussie bowlers
Johnson looked ok with some good and some average balls
Hilfenhaus looked dangerous every time he was thrown the ball
Siddle did ok but was punished for bowling too many wide on the off-side - lucky to get Flintoff, good ball to get Prior
Hauritz looked very ordinary, no threat there - Pietersen gave him a boost by giving away his prize wicket
Clarke and Katich - part timers who were just using up overs
Overall, that pitch should produce a result and both teams will think they are still in it. If England can get up to 400+ the Aussies will be under pressure on a wicket that looks like it will give something to Swann and Panesar. If we get nice cloudy conditions tomorrow I fancy Anderson to take a few wickets with the swinging ball.
A good first day to kick off the series; runs, wickets, and some very fine play from both sides makes for a great Ashes summer.
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