Report
Scotland fail to press home advantage
Scotland' struggled to press home their first-day advantage against Ireland
Cricinfo staff
14-Aug-2005
Ireland 172 (Wright 4-37) and 46 for 2 trail Scotland 234 for 9 dec by 16 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Scotland face a tough task if they are to defeat Ireland and in doing so give themselves a chance of progressing into the Intercontinental Cup semi-finals. At the end of the second day's play, the match looked likely to end in a draw after Scotland's batsmen had struggled to get on top of tight bowling.
Scotland wasted no time in polishing off Ireland for 172, but needing quick runs, they fell victim to a combination of good bowling and some sloppy stroke selection Despite losing Fraser Watts early on, Scotland had seemed on course as they reached 76 for 1, but shortly after lunch Neil MacRae's dismissal, miscuing an attempted pull, triggered a collapse from which which they never really recovered.
Craig Wright followed his four first-innings wickets with a crucial 70, but a poor run rate might come back to haunt Scotland tomorrow.
Full postWarne and Gillespie save the follow-on
Australia saved the follow-on but rains came again and halted play
The Bulletin by Jenny Thompson
13-Aug-2005
Close Australia 264 for 7 (Warne 78*, Gillespie 7*) trail England 444 by 180 runs
Scorecard & ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Scorecard & ball-by-ball details
How they were out
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At the close of play last night, the momentum of this series seemed finally to have passed across to England. Today, however, they were frustrated once again, first by rain, which delayed the start of play until 4pm, and then, ironically enough, by sun. In the 14 overs that were wrung out of the bad weather at Old Trafford, Shane Warne's attacking strokeplay and Jason Gillespie's forward defensive allowed Australia to escape what could have been their first follow-on since 1988, as Warne recorded his 11th Test fifty.
When asked about the follow-on, Duncan Fletcher said that England would have chosen to bat again anyway, but such talk proved academic as Warne carried Australia to safety in the first spell of eight overs with the long-haired limpet Gillespie clinging to his task and offering valuable support. Australia received a small boost from the scorers, too.
Full postComfortable win for England U-19
Penetrative bowling from Footitt and Harrison provided England U-19 with a comfortable win over Sri Lanka U-19
Cricinfo staff
12-Aug-2005
England U19 294 and 280 (Chopra 64, James 51) beat Sri Lanka U19 227 and 164 (Herath 45, Harrison 4 for 16) by 183 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Mark Footitt and Adam Harrison both recorded career-best figures to help England beat Sri Lanka, on the fourth day at Scarborough.
England resumed their second innings on 261 for 7, with Nicholas James well set on 50. But they were only able to add a further 19 runs, collapsing to 280 all out. Sachithra Serasinghe took the key wicket of James, whose brisk innings yesterday evening was the third-highest of England's innings. Chathupama Gunasinghe took Adam Harrison's wicket to end England's hopes of extending their lead any further. Gunasinghe ended with figures of 5 for 70.
Despite their collapse, Sri Lanka's target of 347 was always likely to prove tricky, especially considering that this was a fourth day pitch. England's young bowlers were excellent, removing three of Sri Lanka's top-four batsman before they had 15 on the board. Mark Footitt, who bats right-handed but bowls left-arm pace, was particularly impressive as he dismissed both the openers, de Zoysa and and Serasinghe. Notably, two of his victims were bowled, and a third dismissed leg-before which is an encouraging sign for the young bowler.
Full postGiles and Jones leave Australia struggling
Australia closed on 210 for 7, needing 34 more runs to avoid the follow-on
The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan
12-Aug-2005
Close Australia 210 for 7 (Warne 45*, Gillespie 4*) trail England 444 by 234 runs
Scorecard & ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Scorecard & ball-by-ball details
How they were out
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Australia were left struggling to save the follow-on after England produced another impressive performance in the field on the second day at Old Trafford. After being bowled out for 444, England's attack systematically dismantled the Australian batting line-up, led by Ashley Giles and Simon Jones with a mixture of spin and reverse swing. England's innings was boosted by an 87-run stand between Andrew Flintoff and Geraint Jones before Shane Warne finished proceedings in a hurry.
Warne was in the thick of the action at the end of the day, too, as his gutsy 45 at least prevented England's rampant attack racing through the tail in the evening session. But it was England's spinner who again took centre stage on a second day: just like at Edgbaston, Giles's introduction changed the picture completely. Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden added 58 - Australia's best opening stand of the series - before Giles removed them both and Damien Martyn.
Full postBrindle's hundred saves England
Arran Brindle struck a century as England drew with Australia at Hove
Cricinfo staff
11-Aug-2005
Australia 355 and 223 (Rolton 97, Sthalekar 40) drew with England 273 Edwards 69, Brindle 54)
Scorecard
Scorecard
Elsewhere in the country where the other Ashes are being played, you can get long odds on a draw. Stalemate hadn't seemed the likely outcome at Hove either, when Karen Rolton and Julie Hayes bowled Australia into a strong position early on the final day.
But England's Arran Brindle stood firm to rescue the draw with her first Test century, to add to her first-innings half-century. Her 101 not out ensured that both teams will head to the second and final Test at Worcester with everything still to play for.
Cathryn Fitzpatrick again threatened with the bat but the rest of the tail failed to wag: she struck 37 of the final 51 runs which Australia managed for their last five wickets. Clare Connor wrapped up the tail and ended with deserved figures of 4 for 68.
Full postPulling it all together
How Michael Vaughan dominated Australia on the opening day at Old Trafford
Struggling with his form and confidence for a couple of years now, Michael Vaughan answered his critics in emphatic fashion on the first day at Old Trafford. In his last 21 innings before this Test, Michael Vaughan had made 568 runs at an average of 29.89, with 14 scores of less than 25, but there wasn't even a hint of a struggle in the manner in which he mastered the Australian attack on a pitch offering little by way of seam movement.. As the wagon-wheel shows, Vaughan was prolific through midwicket, peppering the region with his characteristic flicks and swivel-pulls, but 32 of those 52 runs came after he reached his century. For the first part of his innings, he concentrated on scoring on the off side, especially through covers, with some sumptuous drives off either foot.
None of the Australian bowlers escaped the onslaught, but the one who suffered the most was the hapless Jason Gillespie, whose England tour so far has been one big nightmare. Gillespie also faced the brunt of the onslaught after Vaughan reached his century - the 18 deliveries he bowled to Vaughan were mauled for 34 runs. Vaughan's last 64 runs came off just 52 balls, and the only bowler who kept him relatively quiet during this period was Shane Warne, whose 27 balls cost him 19. Vaughan was also quite comfortable against all the Australian bowlers, as is evident by his high in-control percentage against all of them.
| Bowler | Balls | Runs | In-control % |
| Glenn McGrath | 42 | 29 | 85.7 |
| Brett Lee | 24 | 14 | 79.2 |
| Jason Gillespie | 61 | 71 | 80.3 |
| Shane Warne | 67 | 40 | 83.6 |
| Simon Katich | 21 | 12 | 90.5 |
England U-19's batsmen extend lead
England U-19's batsmen dominated Sri Lanka U-19's bowlers on day three at Scarborough
Cricinfo staff
11-Aug-2005
England U19 294 all out and 261 for 7 (Chopra 64, James 50*) lead Sri Lanka U19 227 all out (Fernando 54, Smith 4-26) by 328 runs with three wickets remaining
Scorecard
Scorecard
England's dominance of this match continued on day three of the second Test, as they extended their lead to a daunting 328 runs against Sri Lanka. Despite scoring turgidly for most of the day, their lead is almost certainly enough.
England had a first-innings advantage of 67 when they bowled Sri Lanka out yesterday. Starting on 16 without loss this morning, they were disappointed to lose Joe Denly, cheaply, for the second time in the match. However, his fellow opener, Varun Chopra compiled a very patient knock of 64, to cement his side's innings together. Chopra, from Essex, only struck four 4s, but his stickability was invaluable as he spent over three hours at the crease.
The most aggressive partnership of the day came between Chris Thompson and Nicholas James, who put on 91. James's half century came briskly, from 63 balls, and his seven boundaries, including three sixes, helped drive the momentum of England's innings forward.
Full postEdwards leads England reply
England closed the second day of the opening Test on 230 for 4 in reply to Australia's 355
Cricinfo staff
10-Aug-2005
England 230 for 4 (Edwards 69, Brindle 53*) trail Australia 355 for 9 (Rolton 71, Nitschke 81*) by 125 runs
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Scorecard
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After the disappointment of letting Australia's tail off the hook yesterday, England were determined to grind their way back into the game, as first Charlotte Edwards, and then Clare Connor and Arran Brindle inched England back into contention. After Laura Newton had launched the reply with a hardhitting 24 from 22 balls, Edwards dug in to anchor the innings with 69 from 171 balls, including 12 measured fours.
She was eventually bowled by Shelley Nitschke, who had done so much to frustrate England earlier in the match, after Australia had slumped to 115 for 7. Her unbeaten 81 from No. 10 was the highest international score of her career and her first international half-century as well, as she and Clea Smith (42) added a further 27 to their overnight 328 for 9.
Full postEngland U-19 fight back well
England U-19 fought back strongly on day two of the second Test, and lead Sri Lanka U-19 by 83 runs
Cricinfo staff
10-Aug-2005
England U19 294 all out (Smith 78*, Harmison 76) and 16/0 lead Sri Lanka U19 227 all out (Fernando 54, Smith 4-26) by 83 runs with 10 wickets remaining
Scorecard
Scorecard
England fought back strongly on the day two of the second Test thanks to a resiliant lower-order and an excellent bowling performance, ending the day with a healthy lead of 83 over Sri Lanka.
England started the day on 144 for 7, with Ben Harmison and Tom Smith at the crease. Both batsmen prospered, and they extended their partnership to 105 before Harmison was caught-and-bowled by Sachithra Serasinghe for an impressive 76 from 93 balls. Smith, however, continued the good work and with the assistance of a resiliant tail, put on partnerships of 32 with both Adam Harrison and number eleven, Mark Footitt. This was a fine performance by England's lower-order, frustrating Sri Lanka's bowlers after their excellent display on the first day. In taking Harrison's wicket, Shalika Karunanayake ended with figures of 5 for 78, his first five-wicket haul in only his fifth first-class game.
In reply, Sri Lanka got off to a terrible start, losing Sameera de Zoysa, a left-handed opener from Kurunegala, for just two. Wickets continued to fall with regularity, and only Ashan Peiris - who is not yet 18 years-old - provided substance to Sri Lanka's top-order, with a patient innings of 40. Sri Lanka, like England, were indebted to a fighting lower-order to achieve a score of respectability. Charles Fernando struck a blistering and powerful innings of 54, from just 42 balls with five 4s and four 6s, to take Sri Lanka to 227 all out. England's bowlers shared the wickets, but their batting hero of the first innings, Smith, was the most penetrative, taking 4 for 26 from 14 economical overs.
Full postSri Lanka U-19 take control
Sri Lanka U-19 ended a rain-shorted opening day to the second Test in a strong position
Cricinfo staff
09-Aug-2005
England U19 144 for 7 (Harmison 35*, Smith 4*) v Sri Lanka U19
Scorecard
Scorecard
Sri Lanka ended a rain-shortened opening day to the second Test in a strong position thanks to the efforts of Shalika Karunanayake, a seamer from Kurunegala, who took 4 for 31, leaving England tottering 144 for 7. Only 39.3 overs were possible at Scarborough but, following their first Test defeat at Shenley, Sri Lanka will be delighted with their position.
Karunanayake's spell reduced England from a promising 112 for 3 to 126 for 7, and included three wickets in an over as he ran through the middle order. Kevin Latouf and Ben Harmison had staged a partial recovery following a top-order wobble after they had been put into bat. Latouf's 61 came from 67 balls and included nine boundaries, while Harmison is unbeaten at the close, with much resting on his shoulders.
England's tail, which made some crucial runs at Shenley, will need to be at their best on the second day. Tom Smith is a capable batsmen but Adam Harrison and Mark Footitt also have an important part to play in offering support to Harmison.
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