Live Blogs / Ed Hawkins / 24 November 2010 / 1

Ed Hawkins went through the night to give you tips, trends and titters for day one of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. And he'll be back for more on Thursday. Email him "here":mailto:hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk and follow him on Twitter "here":https://twitter.com/cricketbetting

CLOSE 07.38 Aus 25-0
On the face of it then, the status quo of every Ashes series Down Under since 1990 remains intact. England supporters are entitled to feel they woke to a nightmare, if that isn't too confusing. The reality, or the rational view, is that it is not as dramatic as that. The domestic Sheffield Shield matches this term at the Gabba gave us strong a pointer to expect a bowler-dominated day (see post at 00.00). What we didn't expect was an extraordinary hat-trick from Peter Siddle, even if he joined Cameron and Swan as the identikit bowler for success this season on the surface.

On day two, England must learn from the way Siddle pitched the ball up. At a close of [6.80] they have drifted quickly but we should not be surprised if they come back as quickly. For that to happen, of course, the staus quo needs to be shanked. No mean feat but England are supposed to be the toughest outfit to be sent Down Under since 1986. Australia, as doughty as ever, are [1.45] and the draw is [4.80].

07.20 Aus 9-0
Some stats for you if a top Aussie bat wager is in your sights...
Australian batting averages at ground
Katich 62.2
Watson 5.50
Ponting 66.4
Clarke 84.8
Hussey 50
North 79
Haddin 21

07.17 Aus 8-0
Anderson has found the right line and length: full, trying to get the batsman feeling for it outside off. Broad may need another over. He was too short. Katich is wandering across his stumps and England should aim to get him leg before with a ball nipping back in.

07.03 Aus 0-0
There are another 11 overs left today. A nasty mini-session for Australia. England will be desperate to breakthrough to try to rescue something from the day. In truth, they should be capable. Siddle's hat-trick aside, of course, England's innings should not have been a surprise. If the tourists pitch the ball up, then they can trouble the Aussies. That is reflected in the prices: [1.53] Australia, [4.00] England and [8.60] the draw.

WICKET 06.54 Eng 260
J Anderson b Doherty 11

06.53 Eng 260-9
Xavier Doherty, who has been neat and tidy, claims his first Test wicket as England's hopes of 300 probably go with Bell back to the pavilion.

WICKET 06.50 Eng 254-9
I Bell c Watson b Doherty 76

06.48 Eng 254-8
Ian Bell carves Hilfenhaus over cover for four. If England can get to 300, they have done pretty well. Let's not forget the recent form for sides getting knocked over cheaply on this wicket. Much depends on Bell, though

06.30 Eng 241-8
Siddle's was the 10th Australian hat-trick in all Tests, the fifth in Ashes Tests, the first at the Gabba. Or, it was a familiar nightmare for England and their supporters Down Under. It is amazing no matter what state they are supposed to be in form-wise, or for that matter how Australia are faring, that they suddenly become mumbling, bumbling, trundling wrecks. Bell (65) playing some shots now.

06.14 Eng 228-8
Swann, in tandem with Bell, was just starting to play some shots so from an entertainment point of view it was a bit of a shame he fell plumb leg before. But Mr Siddle is the master of ceremonies at the Gabba today and he claimed his sixth wicket. He would appear to have top Aussie wicket-taker in his backpack after barely 70 overs of action. He is [1.25] to back.

WICKET 06.11 Eng 228-8
G Swann lbw b Siddle 10

06.01 Eng 215-7
Bell has a 50 but it seems pretty irrelevant. A truly extraordinary spell from Siddle, a workaday, fair-dinkum, vein-busting Aussie tryer. No more than that. He's got bustle and heart, but really not a lot more. before this Test he had a strike rate of 82. And then he goes and does that! You can't legislate for such an upset, folks. If it falls on your side, fantastic. If not, enjoy it all the same because it is what makes the sport wondrous. Drinks. England need a stiff one.

05.57 Eng 205-7
"Gosh, I'm glad I woke up and witnessed history," says Geoffrey. It is Peter Siddle's birthday today, too. So ... memorable.

05.51 Eng 197-7
Wakey, wakey. That blew the sleep from your eyes eh? Australia have ripped the heart out of England and it's Peter Siddle, who is beating them all on his own. An extraordinary hat-trick just as England were beginning to turn the screw. The hosts were [2.62] before Siddle's burst and, to be fair, they were looking pretty clueless. They are now as skinny as [1.57] with England [4.30] and the draw [7.10].

WICKET 05.50 Eng 197-7
S Broad lbw b Siddle 0

05.47
SIddle has a hat-trick. Or does he? Broad has referred the leg before.

WICKET 05.45 Eng 172-6
M Prior b Siddle 0

WICKET 05.43 Eng 172-5
A Cook c Watson b Siddle 67

05.38 Eng 197-4
Australia [2.62], England [3.25] and the draw [3.20]. Cook (67) and Bell (39) continue to look at ease, Australia attack apparently lacks potency.

TEA 04.40 Eng 172-4
That has to go down as another shared session I guess. England should be doing better, though. KP and Colly were suckered by a couple of floaty deliveries from Siddle. Other than that it has looked pretty easy. I still think England are the preferred bet. They are [3.35] although early birds took [3.80] when Cook and Bell came together. The threat of rain has passed. Australia [2.32] and the draw [3.55]

04.26 Eng 159-4
Just starting to drizzle at the Gabba. The draw dips to [3.55] from [3.80] at the mention of it. Bell, by the way, is looking ace. He has 22. But then again, he generally does look great into the 20s. Getting set and not going on is his battle.

04.13 Eng 151-4
Australia have no referrals left, wasting their second and final one on the say-so of Katich, who at short leg was convinced that Ian Bell had edged behind. Silly. Ponting should have put his fingers in his ears. In what should be a tight series, getting the referrals right could make all the difference.

04.06 Eng 151-4
A 50 for Cook. I'll be churlish about it: a poor innings and certainly not one worth staying up this late for. Dropped on 26, he's a lucky boy. And yes, of course I'm bitter about laying him for a half ton.

03.46 Eng 129-4
Trade opportunity. We fancy Cook and Bell to steady the ship here. Get in to get out with England at [3.80].

03.44 Eng 125-4
Ian Bell has an army of punters on his side; top England bat, top series bat, chief usher at the Royal wedding. It is fair enough because he is a strokemaker - they always do well in Oz - and he looked superb in Hobart. However, one of the reasons he was fancied by the early birds was that he was unheralded, insofar as he was out of the spotlight, where he, er, so often shines. But he has put himself right in front of the beam after performing so well. The pressure is on. He is _expected_ to score runs. And only once in Test cricket has he scored when the pressure has been on. In short, the value is long gone. He is [2.32] to score a 50 here.

03.39 Eng 125-4
A major wobble from England. And it has been too easy for Australia. Siddle has chucked up a couple of floaters outside off and Collingwood, and previously KP, have edged to the slips. Australia [1.91], England [3.55] and the draw [4.66]. Ian Bell is the new man.

WICKET 03.36 Eng 125-4
P Collingwood c North b Siddle 4

03.30 Eng 117-3
Australia needed a wicket. And they got the most prized scalp. Siddle got the edge and Ponting held a sharp chance at slip. Australia [2.54], England [3.20] and the draw [3.10] - that hasn't moved out as much as I'd thought it would.

WICKET 03.26 Eng 117-3
K Pietersen c Ponting b Siddle 43

03.14 Eng 111-2
We are back on draw watch. It is [2.88] now and shortening quickly. It's a game of cat and mouse. We want to lay but we want to do so at the right time. A wicket, of course, would push it out a whole point but it could easily be sub [2.50] in half an hour. I think because there has been little swing we will let the price guide us (at the start of the day I thought anything below [3.50] would be value) and sub [2.50] is our mark.

03.00 Eng 102-2
The pre-series prediction that Australia's bowling attack was ordinary does not look far wrong. Okay, we've only had a couple of hours but I've seen nothing which has caused me to doubt that England will not retain the urn. As David Lloyd has said on commentary, the Australian bowlers look 'fragile'. And by that he means they just ain't nasty enough

02.43 Eng 91-2
I'm back. And remarkably lively I am, too. Mind you that could all change if Cook is not out soon. Really, is there a duller batsman to watch at such an ungodly hour? I don't care what anyone says, it has to be on a par with waterboarding.

LUNCH 02.00 Eng 86-2
Probably even-steven folks. Cook - it is baffling how he looked worse after two hours at the crease than he did at the start - should have gone before the break but KP is looking imposing. Back in one hour. Australia [2.34], England [3.30] and the draw [3.60].

01.51 Eng 74-2
Xavier is no man of mystery. He has dropped a very easy chance at point offered by Cook off Shane Watson. Bad news for us, too, because we need Cook out before he gets to 50. That could really play on the mind of the debutant.

01.42 Eng 70-2
Xavier Doherty has come on to bowl. No-one has really heard of him, not even his mum. There is a theory going around that Australia only picked him because they wanted to add mystery to their attack and given he shares the same name as Professor Xavier from X-Men he was a shoo-in. So, can he read the mind of KP, who has a weakness against left-arm spin? He's been dismissed 17 times by the 'style'

01.29 Eng 56-2
The enigmatic Kevin Pietersen. What tune was playing in his head as he walked out to bat? How Much Is That Doggie In The Window? Or Ride Of The Valkyries? It is difficult to say. What I have spotted is that he just doesn't look 'right' at the crease. A couple of balls ago, he played a very awkward forward defensive. His bat was a long way from his body and his nose - you are supposed to smell the leather - was so far away that it was as if he was offended by the whiff. KP averages 36 over the last 12 months, failing to score a century in 21 innings. He has only 5 50s, too. He is [2.00] for a 50 here. Not great value.

01.11 Eng 41-2
There are few greater crimes an international batsman can commit than getting out to Shane Watson. But missing a straight one to be bowled by said allrounder takes it. Trott hangs his head as he trudges off for 29. England in trouble. Cook is challenging insomniacs and Kevin Pietersen, as we all know, is a loose cannon. Australia [2.22], England [3.45] and the draw, irritatingly, [3.80].

WICKET Eng 41-2
J Trott b Watson 29

01.02 Eng 36-1
As they take drinks, Samuel Taylor has been in touch via "Twitter ":https://twitter.com/cricketbettingwith a Peter Siddle "looky-likey":https://en.academic.ru/pictures/enwiki/67/CSI_SaraSidle.jpg. Are you comparing Siddle to something grown in a Test tube or the gap-toothed bird?

00.56 Eng 35-1
Watch the draw like a hawk, folks. It's heading south. Currently [3.30]. If it goes below [3.00] we're going to lay it.

00.44 Eng 28-1
On the subject of Johnson, he is [3.00] for top Aussie bowler in this dig. There's a decent amount of bunsen around, too. The wicket should suit him and Ricky Ponting might have delayed his entry to wait until the ball starts to bend more. It's just taking some nice shape.

00.36 Eng 22-1
Despite that wonderful start, Australia are bowling poorly. Cook's weakness outside off stump has not been exploited. And it is slightly odd that Mitchell Johnson has not bowled yet - he must be imminent. Australia [2.28] and England [3.20]. Cook 7, Trott 13

00.22 Eng 11-1
I know this is all very serious stuff, folks - just as Trott survives a referral for a leg before - but I've spent the last 20 minutes trying to come up with looky-likeys for Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenahus. Siddle is "this guy":https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=https://i49.tinypic.com/2wox0er.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.lipstickalley.com/f17/celebs-who-look-related-each-other-but-not-216883/index9.html&usg=__nSG78eclqUGPqbs9540cgjFAqEg=&h=594&w=421&sz=34&hl=en&start=0&sig2=UVhIqphSB3ZPgNJ9dm0rDw&zoom=1&tbnid=ICn69TEAkqV4eM:&tbnh=152&tbnw=108&ei=DKvtTLbLNaqqhAe9oqimCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dneal%2Bmcdonough%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1639%26bih%3D783%26tbs%3Disch:1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=892&vpy=243&dur=290&hovh=266&hovw=188&tx=82&ty=165&oei=DKvtTLbLNaqqhAe9oqimCg&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=41&ved=1t:429,r:16,s:0 from Desperate Housewives and the Hilf is the chubbier chap from the Mighty Boosh.

00.10 Eng 0-1
Strauss' brain surge was so rapid and strong that we hadn't had time to look at the top England runscorer market. No Matter, Strauss' average of 37 in first Tests as skipper would have ruled him out. Cook, who we do not rate, is a poor value [5.00]. Jonathan Trott, the new batsman, is [4.00]. This could be attritional stuff so Trott is well suited. Paul Collingwood is a potential runner at [4.50] on Any Other

00.05 Eng 0-1
Well, what does that mean? The third ball of this Ashes series and Strauss, almost in a daze, cuts the ball straight to Mr Cricket in the gully. Extraordinary. Australia are [1.98]. It didn't take them long to go odds on eh?

WICKET 00.04 Eng 0-1
A Strauss c Hussey b Hilfenhaus 0

00.03 Eng 0-0
What does it mean?! What does it mean? Andrew Strauss left the first ball from Hilfenhaus.

00.00 Eng 0-0
Now then, to bed, er, sorry bet. We should expect the ball to swing in the first innings. At the Gabba in the domestic Sheffield Shield competition this term, New South Wales' Mark Cameron took 11 wickets in one match and Queensland's Chris Swan claimed 13 in another. And these are the innings totals for each team's first innings totals in the two completed games (the third was a washout) 262/75/223/196. England are [3.20] to lay for 400 or more and, to be honest, Iwas hoping for sub [3.00] Still, there is always Alastair Cook. His dodgy technique could well be exposed early on. He is [3.25] to lay to score a 50. We'll have some of that. You should also expect Australia's price to dip. They could be odds on in 20 minutes or so.

23.52
We are a few minutes from ball one. We are just waiting for the Australians to dry their eyes after a raucous Advance Australia Fair by a bloke who looks more like a nightclub owner than an opera singer.

23.45
Australia 1 Simon Katich, 2 Shane Watson, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Michael Hussey, 6 Marcus North, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Xavier Doherty, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Ben Hilfenhaus

England 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Steven Finn.

23.40
In the last 10 years there have been nine Tests matches played at the Gabba. Six have been won by the side batting first. Only one has been won by the bowling side. However, fear not Australia. There should be plenty in this wicket. The groundsman reckons there is moisture in this wicket and the England openers face a tricky first half hour at least.

23.35
England win the toss and bat
For only the second time in the last 13 Tests at the Gabba, Australia have lost the toss. England immediately shorten to [2.98]. Australia are [2.26] and the draw is [4.40]

23.30
Let's have a quick look at the prices that matter.
First Test: [2.18] Australia, [3.20] England, [4.20] draw
Series: [2.12] Australia, [2.90], [5.30] the draw

23.26
Evening (morning?) all. Apparently there's a Test match on. Eagerly awaited on both sides of the globe they tell me. And I must say the Gabba in Brisbane, looks a glamorous, gladitorial setting for this much-advertised contest. More alluring than my surrounds, that's for sure. My flat in north London has been beset by builders for the past six weeks so dust is king and there is a distinct whiff of poo from a blocked toilet. No matter, we have a sporting occasion which could provide enough winning wagers to remove the UK from the financial brown stuff so make sure you stick around. In the meantime, have a read of the "series preview":https://betting.betfair.com/cricket/ashes-betting/ashes-betting/ashes-betting-england-are-the-value-211110.html and "first Test preview.":https://betting.betfair.com/cricket/ashes-betting/match-previews/first-test-betting-england-right-at-home-231110.html

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1. Matt Carey | 25 November 2010

   All I can say is... come on England!

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