Ashes 2009, 4th Test : Random fact of the day

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England capitulated on the first morning of the fourth npower Ashes Test as the chaos in the build-up transferred onto the field. More... England bowled over in the Ashes By Richard Gibson, PA Friday, 7 August 2009 Siddle, who took a five wicket haul, celebrates the dismissal of Graeme Swann England capitulated on the first day of the fourth npower Ashes Test as the chaos in the build-up transferred onto the field. All-rounder Andrew Flintoff was ruled out this morning as anticipated and wicketkeeper Matt Prior provided a major injury scare when he suffered a back spasm in practice. Thankfully Prior was passed fit, after the toss was delayed by 10 minutes, and only he and Alastair Cook reached double figures in an indisciplined batting display. Andrew Strauss' team were shot out for 102, in fact, with eight of the dismissals caught by either recalled wicketkeeper Brad Haddin or the enhanced slip cordon. Prior was left unbeaten on 37 as England were dismissed inside 34 overs. Australian pace bowler Peter Siddle finished with five for 21, his career-best figures, and the returning Stuart Clark claimed three wickets to justify the tourists' selection choice. Off-spinner Nathan Hauritz was left out to accommodate Clark and the all-pace attack feasted on an England team not featuring either Flintoff or Kevin Pietersen for the first time since 2003. With Flintoff ruled out through a knee injury, there was further disruption provided by Prior's prang playing football. Captain Strauss was involved in getting the toss delayed 10 minutes in a bid to give Prior time to prove himself fit and therefore did not get the usual preparation time when, after winning the toss, he walked out to bat. He did not last long as England lost two wickets inside the opening half-hour. Strauss was lucky to survive a confident leg before appeal by Ben Hilfenhaus from the first ball of the day but failed to cash in. It was a brilliant catch from Marcus North at third slip which accounted for Strauss as a sliced drive was clutched one handed to his right off Peter Siddle. Number three Ravi Bopara's terrible trot in the campaign then continued as a delivery of extra bounce from Hilfenhaus lobbed to gully from a bat hung outside off-stump. When Ian Bell was rushed by a Mitchell Johnson bouncer, England's middle-order was suddenly exposed. Paul Collingwood and left-hander Cook nibbled at Clark deliveries and Stuart Broad completed the half-dozen departures before lunch when he turned straight to short square-leg. Siddle then brought the innings grinding to a conclusion with a burst of for for three in 14 balls. Flintoff was ruled out at 9.20am after it was decided that his creaking body was not up to back-to-back Tests. The 31-year-old took part in a net session yesterday with heavy strapping on the joint, bowling for 35 minutes alongside his colleagues. Flintoff's injury problems prompted him to announce earlier this summer that he will quit Test cricket at the end of the Ashes series. England's morning had begun unusually early at 4.45am when the players and management were forced out of their Leeds city centre hotel for a routine fire drill. The 18,000 capacity crowd were given something to cheer about at the start of Australia's reply when Harmison struck in his first over back. His extra bounce had Simon Katich in trouble and the ball popped to leg gully to leave Australia 14 for one.

[Mr. Wicket]

Ashes 2009, 4th Test : Random fact of the day Ponting has scored a century every time he's played a test at Headingley.

[Tapioca]

Out for 78. Did not quite become a second Bradman

[zubinpepsi]

Out for 78. Did not quite become a second Bradman

he will do it in the 4th innings.. as hes the master of 4th innings..

[Mr. Wicket]

Well let's hope England somehow turn it around, pile on a massive total and set Australia about 400 to score on day 5 to let him really emulate Bradman...

[sangrock]

loved the way he played today.. amazing pull shots and across the line shots!

[iHammad]

Ponting is a great batsmen but I don't like his negative attitude