Match Analysis

ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the opening day at Chester-le-Street

The recent run of defeats has made people think Australia are worse than they are. Old Trafford was a fairer reflection on their standing, but they must continue to improve over the rest of this series

Having been outplayed at Old Trafford, England retaining the Ashes was met with a subdued atmospshere

Australia were always going to lose this Ashes. A victory in this Test wouldn't change that. But just by winning this Test they could have proved something to themselves

An arbitrary decision about when it is safe to play has endangered Australia's chances of reclaiming the urn

Although the Ashes are almost within their grasp, there are obvious areas in which this England side can improve

If the rain holds off Australia could still win this Test and keep the Ashes alive, but a lot of their decisions continue to suggest confused thinking

In the process of becoming England's most prolific run-scorer in international cricket, Kevin Pietersen re-emphasised his singular talent

Michael Clarke may have a tricky decision to make over the follow-on but, after an impressive day and with the Ashes at stake, the attack must continue to front up

Australia know their attack is their strength but feeble batting at Trent Bridge and Lord's made the bowlers redundant. Now is the time for Lyon and company to prove their worth.

England's attack, now including three bowlers with more than 200 wickets, is an outstanding unit despite their toil at Old Trafford but the focus shifts to the batsmen with a Test match to save

Without the DRS, Usman Khawaja would still have been out, the decision accepted as on-field mistake, but getting it wrong with the assistance of replays cannot be tolerated.

It would be wrong to presume England suffered too bad a day, they bowled well for much of it as they came up against a batting line-up less obliging and feeble

Australia have never needed Clarke's runs more than they did today. He made them by any means necessary. Not on a pedestal, but down in the mud.

Lahiru Thirimanne's innings in the fifth ODI was not very different from some of the other innings he has played before, but his calculated approach to run-making left an impression

The opening combination, the spinner's spot, the pace bowing in less helpful conditions, the wicketkeeping, the captaincy … there was little that went right for South Africa in Sri Lanka

There is unbridled joy in each of Tillakaratne Dilshan's hundred celebrations, but this one was tinged with some relief too. He is arriving at a period in his career where he must prove even to himself that his skill remains undimmed

Plays of the day from the fourth ODI between Sri Lanka and South Africa

Some days, Upul Tharanga bats so well, his innings seem like a dream. Other times, he falls asleep at the crease. It is a vacillating pattern he must arrest immediately, with the team's batting future at stake

Sikandar Raza is not going to let himself be satisfied with his promising start to the series; he wants more for himself and for Zimbabwean cricket