Australia vs England, 1st Test at Brisbane, Nov 25 2010 - Match Result

RESULT
1st Test, Brisbane, November 25 - 29, 2010, England tour of Australia
260 & 517/1d
(T:297) 481 & 107/1

Match drawn

alastair-cook
Player Of The Match
67 & 235*
Match centre 
Scorecard summary
England1st Inn
260/10(76.5 overs)
76 (131)
6/54 (16)
67 (168)
2/41 (13.5)
Australia1st Inn
481/10(158.4 overs)
195 (330)
6/125 (33.4)
136 (287)
2/99 (37)
England2nd Inn
517/1(152 overs)
*235 (428)
1/47 (19)
*135 (266)
0/82 (32)
Australia2nd Inn
107/1(26 overs)
*51 (43)
1/18 (7)
*41 (97)
View full scorecard
Over26
2 runs
AUS 107/1CRR: 4.11
SR Watson 41 (97b 4x4)RT Ponting 51 (43b 4x4 1x6)
KP Pietersen0/6 (2)

Match drawn Alastair Cook leads the players off and into the line of handshakes. The opening Test to the 2010-11 Ashes ends in stalemate but it has been, for the first four days at least, a fascinating game. Both teams have something to take to Adelaide, especially after Ponting finished things off with an unbeaten half-century, but after conceding 1 for 517 it's probably Australia who have more issues to reflect on. It has to be said the wicket was not ideal, just got flatter and more benign as the match wore on and made life pretty miserable for the bowlers.

Australia announce their side for the next Test either later tonight or tomorrow morning. Mitchell Johnson and Marcus North must be concerned, though with tongue firmly planted in cheek, Peter English ponders the idea of North becoming Australia's full-time spinner. Johnson has had a horrible match, taking 0 for 170, making a 19-ball duck and dropping a catch. Stay with us to see who is named man of the match, but I expect it won't be him. And indeed, Alastair Cook is confirmed with the match award. Well deserved it is as well. A memorable game for him. Apologies for a lack of post-match quotes, but the broadcaster has decided move elsewhere.

We have a gallery of the best of today's action and Andrew McGlashan will have a final match bulletin later, which is a must-read. Elsewhere we have a competition where you can win Ashes shirts, just download our toolbar to enter.

Right, that's just about it from me, Sahil Dutta and from Brydon Coverdale. Look out for Andrew Miller and Peter English's words which will be up on the site soon. Thanks for all the emails, please join us for the second Test which starts on Friday at 10.30am (00.00GMT).

25.6
Pietersen to Watson, no run

Pietersen floats one down to Watson who defends from under his eyes, few handshakes and the players are heading off. Both captains agree they've flogged this horse as far as it will go and we head into to the next Test level at 0-0

This could be the last ball coming up now...

25.5
1
Pietersen to Ponting, 1 run

Pietersen switches to around the wicket and celebrates by dragging down a very short ball that Ponting pats down to long-on for a single

25.4
Pietersen to Ponting, no run

Ponting stretches forward and nudges this into the leg side

25.3
1
Pietersen to Watson, 1 run

touch fuller this time and Watson drops it into the off side for a single

25.2
Pietersen to Watson, no run

Watson stands taller and defends

25.1
Pietersen to Watson, no run

Pietersen finds some bounce, straight into the middle of Watson's blade

Over25
6 runs
AUS 105/1CRR: 4.20
RT Ponting 50 (41b 4x4 1x6)SR Watson 40 (93b 4x4)
GP Swann0/33 (8)
24.6
Swann to Ponting, no run

resolute defiance from Ponting to finish the over

24.5
1
Swann to Watson, 1 run

slugged hard into the deep midwicket region

24.4
Swann to Watson, no run

another careful defence but Watson's bat looks very broad indeed

24.3
Swann to Watson, no run

better delivery from Swann, holding it back a fraction outside off stump, defended

24.2
4
Swann to Watson, FOUR runs

shot! Lovely shot from Watson, steps forward and cracks this down the ground, Swann's difficult Test continues

24.1
1
Swann to Ponting, 1 run

fifty for Ponting! Hasn't he played well, looked so confident, works this to leg and barely celebrates the landmark

Over24
9 runs
AUS 99/1CRR: 4.12
SR Watson 35 (89b 3x4)RT Ponting 49 (39b 4x4 1x6)
KP Pietersen0/4 (0.5)
23.6
Pietersen to Watson, no run

turn and bounce surprises the batsman, and everyone else really

23.5
Pietersen to Watson, no run

patted back up the pitch

23.4
1
Pietersen to Ponting, 1 run

careful defence here runs off the face and away for a single

23.3
1
Pietersen to Watson, 1 run

this is very short indeed and cut firmly to deep point

23.2
1
Pietersen to Ponting, 1 run

turn! Genuine spin from outside off, the batsman is not concerned and nudges it around the corner for a single

23.1
1
Pietersen to Watson, 1 run

starts by dragging one down very shot outside off, it's patted to mid-off where Finn flings back an awkward throw at Prior, who fluffs it bobbles on to the helmet for five penalty runs!

Right, as if to emphasise that this game is all but over, here's Kevin Pietersen into the attack.

Cheers Brydon. Top work from Ponting especially. He's been busy and aggressive. It's difficult to come out and make a statement after 1 for 517 but he's managing to.

Over23
4 runs
AUS 90/1CRR: 3.91
RT Ponting 47 (37b 4x4 1x6)SR Watson 33 (85b 3x4)
GP Swann0/27 (7)

That's it from me for this Test. Now here's Sahil Dutta to bring this thing home.

22.6
Swann to Ponting, no run

tossed up outside off, Ponting drives but mistimes

22.5
1
Swann to Watson, 1 run

shortish and turning in to Watson, who flicks a run through midwicket

Best performances - batters
Spike GraphWagon Zone
AN Cook
235 runs (428)
26 fours0 six
Productive shot
leg glance
58 runs
3 fours0 six
Control
87%
MEK Hussey
195 runs (330)
26 fours1 six
Productive shot
pull/hook on back foot
64 runs
13 fours0 six
Best performances - bowlers
PM Siddle
O
16
M
3
R
54
W
6
ECO
3.37
ST Finn
O
33.4
M
1
R
125
W
6
ECO
3.71
Match details
TossEngland, elected to bat first
Season2010/11
Player Of The Match
Series result5-match series level 0-0
Match numberTest no. 1981
Hours of play (local time)10.00 start, Lunch 12.00-12.40, Tea 14.40-15.00, Close 17.00
Match days25,26,27,28,29 November 2010 - day (5-day match)
Test debut
TV Umpire
Reserve Umpire
Match Referee