Live Blogs / Ed Hawkins / 25 November 2010 /

A fully rested Ed Hawkins was ensconced on the sofa to take you through the action from the Gabba. Email him "here":mailto:hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk and following him on Twitter "here":https://twitter.com/cricketbetting. He will take a well-deserved break from blogging tonight but will return from day four

CLOSE Aus 220-5
Rain and bad light turned up at an opportune time. With 80 overs on the clock and a new ball due, it means there is time for reflection before a stage in play which will have a huge say on how this Test ends.

England will hope that they can claim the final five Aussie wickets for close to first-innings parity. Australia will back themselves to survive and then prosper, securing a vital lead.

The match-odds market is clear as to which side is in control. Australia are [1.51] with England [4.40]. But just as day one saw the hosts overrated, the same applies at the end of day two. A new ball England are a decent wager because the likelihood of them taking wickets is greater.

Also, there is the fact that the Gabba wicket is beginning to crumble, meaning this could be a first-innings shootout. Hell, the cracks and puffs of dust suggest anything from 180 upwards could be mighty tricky to chase.

05.48 Aus 198-5
Five minutes ago yesterday, Siddle claimed the first of his hat-trick victims. Steve Finn comes into the attack for England. Six overs to the new ball. Shane Warne is suggesting KP or Colly try to pinch a cheap wicket beforehand.

05.39 Aus 196-5
England look as though they might be 'sitting in' and waiting for the new ball, which is due in 10 overs' time. James Anderson dropped his pace and just hit the top of off although that ploy is dependant on Swann being equally stingy. No good then if Hussey hoiks him for four over square leg. Hussey looks ace, by the way. Australia [1.57].

05.20 Aus 182-5
One of the occupational hazards of this gig is that the "email":mailto:hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk address gets flooded by scamsters. What they do, you see, is release these bots which trawl the web for published addresses and then send out bogus mails, like this one. "Your mail ID has won £1,000,000.00 in the Telecom Xmas PROMO". So cschoenber​g@sbcglobal​.net, see how you like it.

05.03 Aus 173-5
Australia are [1.64] as we resume. That remains in lay territory. They are 87 behind. Swann and Hussey the key men. They're having a ding-dong battle, the old Northants pals.

TEA 04.40 Aus 168-5
England claim their first session of this Ashes series. An impressive fightback. Their bowlers found the correct length and Swann has found his rhythm. Australia, Mike Hussey aside, look shaky in the middle order with Michael Clarke barely fit and Marcus North vulnerable. Australia [1.70], England [2.96] and the draw [11.50].

04.29 Aus 159-5
The task facing Swann in this series. He'll have to buck the trend.
Spinners in Oz since 2000
Bowler Tests Wickets Average
Anil Kumble 8 44 34.65
Daniel Vettori 8 29 37.55
Danish Kaneria 5 24 40.58
Upul Chandana 2 12 22.50
Sulieman Benn 3 11 37.09
Paul Harris 3 10 38.70
Monty Panesar 3 10 37.90
Ashley Giles 3 9 50.33
Harbhajan Singh 4 9 73.22
Muttiah Muralitharan 3 9 61.88
Claude Henderson 3 8 60.00
Ray Price 2 6 61.83
Richard Dawson 4 5 79.60

04.13 Aus 143-5
I tell you what, the crystal ball is working well at the moment. All we need to do is suggest a batsman is dodgy and off they pop. Brad Haddin is the new batsman. Australia out to [1.95] and England [2.58].

04.11 Aus 143-5
M North C Collingwood b Swann 1

04.06 Aus 140-4
Inevitable that Clarke went sooner rather than later. He looked dreadful, taking 49 balls for his nine. Marcus North is the new man and England will be doubly-delighted to see him. I believe he is officially the worst starter in domestic Australia cricket history. So another wicket could be just around the corner. England are [3.00] and Australia [1.71].

WICKET 04.03 Aus 140-4
M Clarke c Prior b Finn 9

03.57 Aus 135-3
A maiden from Swann. That's a relief for England. Before that over he was going for more than eight an over. There are some fascinating stats knocking about highlighting the task facing Swann on this tour. I shall dig them out. Hussey, by the way, is looking good. Clarke less so. Doubts over his fitness.

03.35 Aus 122-3
If you reckon Michael Vaughan knows a thing or two about getting decisions right in the Ashes - and to be fair his record was pretty good - you can take his advice and back England at [2.40] for a lead.

03.31 Aus 115-3
Clarke and Hussey looking a little more at ease but they are working awfully hard. Clarke has just been whacked on the head by Broad while Hussey has enjoyed a couple of pull strokes. Michael Vaughan, former England skipper and betting.betfair colleague, reckoned 20 minutes ago that England were a good bet, saying he fancied them for a lead.

03.17 Aus 106-3
A really important 15-20 minutes in this Test. A wicket looks imminent. Clarke and Hussey are both struggling as the ball grips those green tufts of grass on the Gabba surface and zips past the bat. England had Clarke a few moments ago but a referral for a caught behind proved fruitless. Snicko, which is not allowed to be used by the third ump, showed contact. As bettors we are in a nice position. We can trade England now and hope they make this count. Or we can trade Australia - but only if they survive this tricky spell - in the knowledge that the batsmen will come to terms.

03.00 Aus 101-3
Yes, definite seam movement. The like of which allowed Siddle to rip through England. This wicket really is a fascinating one. Why has it suddenly started to nip? England [3.95]

02.58 Aus 101-3
England have come back strongly after the break, making two vital breakthroughs. They have shortened to [3.80]. As I type, Mike Hussey, first ball, has edged to Swann at slip but it bounced just in front. This Gabba pitch would appear to be one of those where wickets fall in clusters. Michael Clarke, by the way, looks very nervy and is going hard at everything. Australia are [1.57]. I was going to suggest we expect a partnership but give it a few more overs before you put money on it.

WICKET 02.55 Aus 100-3
S Katich c and b Finn 50

02.50 Aus 100-2
I suspect that Sky's viewing figures would have taken a big dip. First, most watching in the UK would be grumpy England fans so would have headed off to bed at lunch and second, a smaller bunch this lot, punters' disgusted at Ponting's dismissal would have angrily punched the 'off' button. The Aussie skipper was a popular wager for top bat because of his Gabba record.

02.43 Aus 96-2
The first ball after lunch and Ponting goes to such a soft dismissal, a strangle down the leg side. Boy did England need that. England into [5.40]. Michael Clarke is the new man and first ball, oooh, so close to the outside edge.

WICKET 02.41 Aus 96-2
R Ponting c Prior b Anderson 10

LUNCH 02.03 Aus 96-1
That has to go down as a comfy Australia session win, their second of the Test. England are yet to get off the mark in that regrad having only managed to share two yesterday. Graeme Swann bowled his first over before the break and if England are to start making inroads, he must be given an extended spell. England were too short early on and look to have missed an opportunity with moisture in the surface and in the air first up. Australia [1.40], England [6.60] and the draw [7.00]

01.40 Aus 80-1
Nasser Hussain reckons that England will pepper Ponting with short stuff. That should be Plan B if you ask me. Plan A is to exploit his nervous nature at the start. He has a tendency to fall over in his stance, making him a leg before candidate, and he can be too keen to get off the mark, going hard at balls which he should leave alone.

01.31 Aus 78-1
England needed that. The ball before they had lost a review to a Watson lbw shout and one was beginning to wonder whether they would start to feel sorry for themselves. But Anderson got nice shape on that. Ponting comes in to boos from the England fans. The mentality of some people beggars belief. They've travelled all that way and as soon as they clap eyes on one of the greatest players of all time, they abuse him. England are into [6.40] from [7.40]. Australia [1.42].

WICKET 01.28 Aus 78-1
S Watson c Strauss b Anderson 36

01.18 Aus 71-0
Katich gets a break. Given leg before against Anderson by ump Doctrove, he has gone upstairs and been spared. It was going well over the top.

01.14 Aus 63-0
About time Graeme Swann had a bowl. In his 25 Tests, 21 times he has taken a wicket in the first over of a spell. England are increasingly desperate for a breakthrough so there really is no need for the delay. Swann himself looks a little miffed.

01.04 Aus 59-0
Drinks. Talking earlier about the overreaction in the UK about England's effort, one of those having a pop was Nigel Farrage, the politician. Euuuuegh! Remember that nasty plane crash (actually, most plane crashes are basty by definition)? I think the pilot sent the craft into a nosedive on purpose as soon as the bloke opened his gob. Not crashing is England's price, which has hit [7.00].

00.44 Aus 51-0
Steven Finn is coming on for James Anderson. His natural length is back of a length, which should not suit this wicket. Despite appearing to get a handle on things a bit earlier, England have generally been too short. Broad has been most culpable.

00.32 Aus 46-0
Things starting to happen for England now. Broad and Anderson are getting a bit of seam movement and they could, nay should, have run out Katich when he found himself stranded. Cook had an eternity to hit two-and-a-half stumps. He missed. England have drifted to [6.20] and now they have hit their straps, it might be worth a go. Australia are [1.42] and the draw is [6.80].

00.18 Aus 38-0
Let's take a look at the top Australia first-innings bat market.

Australian batting averages at ground
Katich 62.2
Watson 5.50
Ponting 66.4
Clarke 84.8
Hussey 50
North 79
Haddin 21

Katich and Watson are [4.30] and [5.20] respectively. Ponting, with that amazing record - he also averages 100 here against the Poms - is [4.40]. Any Other, including the underrated Marcus North, is [8.00]. Michael Clarke, dodgy back and all, makes little appeal ata round [4.00]. Ponting, by the way, is [2.06] for a 50.

00.06 Aus 27-0
When I have not been catching up on sleep, I have spent most of the day irked. I found it frustrating, yet inevitable, that the majority of media in the UK went with a 'here we go again' line with regard to England's performance. I suppose it was easier than doing any research. The tourists did okay on a wicket which has been darn tricky to bat on. Hell, at the start of the month NSW beat Queensland by an innings after posting just 262 in the first innings. England, so long as they pitch it up, are in the game.

00.00 Aus 25-0
Am I right in thinking that Sirloin of Beef was wearing sandals with socks when doing the pitch report? He really has no judgement on anything does he?

23.45
Yes my nocturnal chums, day two is upon us. Hopefully you are feeling perky enough for another marathon. Sleep has worked wonders, not just for the constitution but the match-odds market, too. Sense seems to have prevailed as far as England's price is concerned. This morning, they were [6.80]. They have now shortened to [5.20] - an incredible dip. It is correct though. The Gabba pitch behaved exactly as expected on day one and with overhead conditions likely to help England, they should be capable of restricting Australia to under 300.

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