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
Australia vs England, 1st Test at Brisbane, Nov 25 2010 - Ball by Ball Commentary
RESULT
1st Test, Brisbane, November 25 - 29, 2010, England tour of Australia
New
AUS 2nd Innings
Full commentary
end of over 262 runs
AUS: 107/1CRR: 4.11
Shane Watson41 (97b 4x4)
Ricky Ponting51 (43b 4x4 1x6)
Kevin Pietersen 2-0-6-0
Graeme Swann 8-0-33-0
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
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
end of over 256 runs
AUS: 105/1CRR: 4.20
Ricky Ponting50 (41b 4x4 1x6)
Shane Watson40 (93b 4x4)
Graeme Swann 8-0-33-0
Kevin Pietersen 0.5-0-4-0
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
end of over 249 runs
AUS: 99/1CRR: 4.12
Shane Watson35 (89b 3x4)
Ricky Ponting49 (39b 4x4 1x6)
Kevin Pietersen 0.5-0-4-0
Graeme Swann 7-0-27-0
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.
end of over 234 runs
AUS: 90/1CRR: 3.91
Ricky Ponting47 (37b 4x4 1x6)
Shane Watson33 (85b 3x4)
Graeme Swann 7-0-27-0
Steven Finn 4-0-25-0
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
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