Second Ashes Test: Live in-running blog - day 1

CLOSE England 1-0, trail by 244 runs with 10 first-innings wickets in hand
If you were unable to decipher who were the better side in this Ashes series - and there were a few given Australia's shorter price than the tourists for this contest - then 'take a look at the scoreboard'.

That is the sort of retort Andrew Strauss might have come up with as Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin gave him a fearful ear-bashing as they left the field. It was further proof, if any were needed, that Australia are rattled.

England are [1.91] for victory and a 1-0 lead. That is still a pretty good price given the problems in the Australia camp were exposed by a dreadful batting performance on a very fine batting wicket. Australia's total of 245 was the first time in 18 years that they had failed to pass 250 in first innings at Adelaide. James Anderson was England's hero with four wickets.

The extraordinary element of Australia's collapse from 207-5 to all being back in the hutch was that it came before England had taken the new ball - the punting pointer which would have ensured more could have enjoyed the England surge.

No matter. There is nothing wrong with a decent wager on Strauss' men now. Australia, who are [5.30], with the draw [3.30], need to produce a bowling performance of which there is no evidence to suggest they are capable.

The state of the surface is flat, hard and dry, pretty much the three ideal characteristics for batting. There will be a tricky spell for Strauss and Alastair Cook - they faced only one over - but Mike Hussey, who fell seven short of another ton, proved that once a player gets in, he stays in.

Australia were undone by a lazy and thoughtless start, the sort of which is unlikely to be reproduced in this series. They found themselves three wickets down for only two runs. England will not be as careless and they are as short as [1.94] for 400 runs or more.

The worry for England is that they find batting too easy and bat on too long so there is potential for room on their price still. Getting any declaration spot on will be key. The battle between runs and overs remaining is one Strauss has lost before.

It is more than possible that Australia will bat much better second time around. Actually, we should probably expect it. But at the moment, we want to get on England.

05.13 Aus 174-5
Australia hanging in there. It's all rather attritional. Hussey (78) grinds on but England have held up in price at at around the [3.00] mark. Australia [4.50] and the draw [3.10]. Next betting opportunity on England will be with the new ball (20 overs) one feels so a good time for a snooze. That's it from me. Will return with a wrap at the close.

TEA 04.40 Aus 158-5
A brain surge for North. A nothing shot. And he had worked so hard. Hussey and Brad Haddin, the new man, put on 307 in Brisbane. England are [3.00]. If we can get [3.50] shortly we'll take it and let it run. England are only one wicket from the bowlers.

WICKET 04.30 Aus 156-5
M North c Prior b Finn 26

04.12 Aus 146-4
The draw is [1.95] now guys. Not surprising at all. It's been desperate to get down all day. Australia are [4.30] and England [3.65].

04.09 Aus 145-4
Paul Collingwood is having a bowl. Last time he was in Adelaide he got a double ton. It was an extremely popular innings in Australia. The DVD of the marathon shot to the top of the charts with insomniacs and mothers of children who had attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder particularly keen buyers. Indeed, Collingwood will always have a career post-cricket of an after-children's party entertainer. He'll come in after the clown and motion a few forward defensives.

04.01 Aus 137-4
The great biscuit debate continues. Thanks to Lizzy Ammon who says: "You want dunky biscuits - custard creams are ideal for dunking. Or those pink wafery things." Michael Moran says "it has to be jaffa cakes". So next up - probably tomorrow - to be road-tested will be the pink wafery things, followed by jaffas.

03.44 Aus 129-4
Marcus North (16) averages 81 when he gets past more than 11. Look here. He is [1.64] for a 50. Shame there is not more value in the 'to score a 100' market. If I tipped him at [3.00] I should be rightly force fed Oreos.

03.38 Aus 129-4
The great biscuit debate. During this series I shall endeavour to find out which biscuits are best to help one stay awake. This week: Oreos. I have to say they're not a contender. I have had six so far and I don't feel particularly energised. They score particularly badly by dint of the fact that you can split the two choco-flavoured circles and put one over each eye, thus fashioning a sleeping mask. Poor design.

03.17 Aus 119-4
If the previous post was the case against Marcus North then it is only fair we give the other side of the story. For a kick-off he looks organised, is good off the front foot and appears to have plenty of time. He also has a good record against England, scoring 367 runs against them in the last series. Mike Hussey has just gone to 50.

03.05 Aus 106-4
Marcus North does not have a hugely impressive average on this ground. He averages only 31 in first-class cricket and in Tests he averages just 9, although he has played only three innings. However, on his last appearance at the ground he got 101 for Western Australia. Interestingly, he averages 7 when coming in when Australia have less than 150 on the board. I'll understand if you don't pay much attention to the next sentence. He is [2.00] for a 50 and [3.30] for a ton.

02.51 Aus 96-4
England haven't messed around. Watson gone in the gully. We could see quite a few catches going in that area - I seem to recall a few flew there four years ago. The wicket was good news for us because it vindicated our lay of the draw before lunch. Australia [4.10], England [2.82] and the draw [2.44]. Marcus North is in. He's prawn cocktail - a dreadful starter.

WICKET 02.47 Aus 96-4
S Watson c Pietersen b Anderson 51

02.43 Aus 95-3
We're back after the break. England require a breakthrough here with Watson, who has passed 50, and Hussey having to get re-accustomed. But the tourists do not have much time. It looks a real belter of a batting wicket; flat, hard and dry.

LUNCH 02.03 Aus 94-3
We win. A small victory but an important one nonetheless. Do the 'lay' part of our draw bet at [2.20]. That's value considering it was [2.14] before a ball was bowled. We were only in for a wee while because we were betting on these two steadying the ship, which they have done. It is tempting to be greedy but we must keep our discipline. If we lost it, where would we be? Hanging around petrol stations at night wearing hoodies and skateboarding that's where.

01.46 Aus 75-3
I was at the Adelaide Oval this time four years ago. Yup. A Test most will remember because England collapsed horribly on the last day. It was history in the making because their 551-6d became the third-highest first-innings total scored by a side which went on to suffer a defeat. I remember it because on the last afternoon a Barmy Army member, with a Blackburn Rovers tattoo on his chest, vommed on my foot. I was wearing flip flops.

01.28 Aus 62-3
The draw price is migrating south for the winter. It is [2.24] to lay now. Earlier readers we advised a back of the stalemate with a view to laying off because we thought runs were in the offing. We are on at [2.86]. ideally we would like to get out sub [2.00] but we might have to re-asses at the break.

01.16
Don't know why this blog is appearing all in bold. Was only aiming for brassy.

01.03 Aus 43-3
Jimmy Anderson has been warned for running on the pitch. If he does it again, he gets banned for the innings.

00.54 Aus 36-3
Don't know whether Hussey is married or not. Don't actually care. But if he isn't he should go out tonight because he is guaranteed to pull a cracker. Lucky, lucky, lucky. And he wouldn't even have to listen to her or ask questions and stuff. He has been dropped, almost played on and edged just short of Swann at slip - just like he did early on at Brisbane. There is not much doing on the top-bat market. Shillings and pence only for Hussey at around [2.90]. He is [1.72] for a 50 for decent money. He has 16.

00.34 Aus 14-3
This is Australia's worst start to a Test innings since the 1950 Test at the Gabba against England. On that occasion they were 0-3. They still won, though. Anderson has dropped a tres difficile chance off Mike Hussey, who continues his quest to have his nickname changed from Mr Cricket to Mr Chuck-a-luck

00.24 11-3
I was going to find us a nice session runs bet to keep us occupied but, really, this is unprecedented. The big problem for Australia is that their tail starts at No 8 with Ryan Harris. He is a No 11. No matter. At times like this we have to keep our heads. It is highly unlikely that a precedent has been set. Two wickets in an over (and a third eight balls later) is dramatic but it is not a trend which is likely to be repeated in this match, let alone the innings. So we should expect Australia to recover. They have a tricky spell to encounter but it will get easier. Shane Watson and Mike Hussey are nicely obdurate. So we might be able to get a nice back-to-lay of the draw at [2.86].

00.17 Aus 7-3
Every time I try to do a little analysis, a wicket falls. And I spilt tea on my crotch when the third went down. So...scorching. Cool as you like from England. And Australia are fast becoming totally untrustworthy. They can't even be relied upon to bat well for 30 minutes on the Almighty's pitch. Australia [4.30], England [2.26] and the draw [3.05].

WICKET 00.13 Aus 2-3
M Clarke c Swann b Anderson 2

00.08 Aus 1-2
Struggling to keep up here sports fans. My little fingers can't move fast enough. Australia in a dreadful state. Ponting, who would have had an army of top-bat backers shouting him on, has gone first ball after Simon Katich was run out dozing. The market is in turmoil. Australia [3.65], England [2.90] and the draw, whoosh, [2.58]. And that's the end of the first over. Breathe.

WICKET 00.05 Aus 0-2
R Ponting c Swann b Anderson 0

WICKET 00.02 Aus 0-1
S Katich run out 0

00.00 Aus 0-0
We are expecting the draw price to shorten here folks because the wicket looks so good for batting. It can dip quite dramatically and if Australia were 80-odd for one at the break, it could be around the [1.70] mark. Maybe shorter, depending on the levels of panic. Australia are [3.20] but although we expect runs they are not worth a trade because in these situations - first morning - the draw price is the big driver of the market.

23.49 Australia win toss and bat
Instead of listening to the sickly national anthems - this isn't a footy match is it? - why not read the Test preview here

23.36 Australia win toss and bat
Australia have dropped Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus. In come Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris. England are unchanged. Have a read of our in-depth Adelaide ground guide here

23.30 Australia win the toss and bat
It looks a very good batting wicket. Messrs Atherton, Holding, Warne and Botham said so before the coin flip. History suggests they are right. The average score in first-innings in the last 10 years is 416. So Australia are in the driving seat. The match-odds market has reacted accordingly. Australia [3.15], England [4.40] and the draw [2.12]. However, six of the last 10 Tests there have been won by the side fielding first.

23.20
The non-believers - the religious theme will be constant by the way, guys - in Australia are growing. England's price has collapsed tonight. Into [3.80] from around an average of [4.40]. Australia are [3.60]. It is quite right, of course, that the gulf should be reduced because we rate England as a better outfit. The draw is [2.14]. Whoever bats first will take a dramtic dip in price so England could be about to go into an Ashes Test as jollies for the first time Down Under in, gosh, yonks.

23.14
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to watch the cricket, punt on it and make loads of dosh. Amen. Yes, it's Adelaide - the city churches. 750 of them in all. You would have thought when they got to about 20 the town planners might have said 'I think we've had enough if it's all the same to you'. The result, would you believe, is the least religious city in all Australia. Saturation point. Anyway, if God was a batsman he would choose to bat here. The wicket is flat, flat, flat and St Peter's Cathedral - a wondrous sight - is merely a hook shot away.