Ponting and Katich bat Australia into strength in first Ashes Test
Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting have both posted centuries to put Australia in the strong position of one for 249 on the second day of the First Test of the 2009 Ashes series in reply to England’s 435.
England started the day on 7/336 with only bowlers left at the crease, but after Stuart Broad (19) was bowled behind his legs by Mitchell Johnson, James Anderson (26) lent great support to Graeme Swann (47 not out) in a 67-run partnership for the ninth wicket. After Anderson was caught by Michael Hussey from the bowling of Nathan Hauritz, Monty Panesar (4) was the last to fall to a catch by Ponting off Hauritz.
Australia’s openers put on 60 for the first wicket without any of the English bowlers providing anything like the swing that the Australians had yesterday on a dull, lifeless, straw-coloured pitch. Andrew Flintoff’s first spell, however, was full of menace, particularly towards Philip Hughes who was put under scrutiny by the English media before the game for supposedly being susceptible against the short ball. Flintoff tested Hughes on this point and Hughes eventually succumbed via an inside edge to Flintoff which was smartly caught by Matt Prior.
The unbeaten 189-run partnership for the second wicket between Katich (104*) and Ponting (100*) which followed for the rest of the second day was characterised by patient accumulation by both players. Katich’s shots, when they came, did go through the air for significant periods but always wide of the field, while Ponting looked in supreme control for the vast majority of his innings without pushing his game beyond the limits of the pitch.
The bad news for England was compounded by an injury to Broad in the last session of the day, which given that England has five recognised bowlers in this game won’t hurt as much as could be imagined, but will test the fitness of the underprepared Flintoff and also test the quality of the two spinners Swann and Panesar, who will get the bulk of the extra work.
