England fall at the hands of Siddle but gain some momentum going in to the second day of the Ashes

It was said that the first day of the Ashes would be, and had always been, filled with excitement and unpredictability and yesterday was no exception. 

A nightmare of a start for England, 215 all out for the team that announced that they believed that they could take the series with an almost ease. Peter Siddle tore the English to pieces with his fast bowling taking five for fifty. England were finding it increasingly hard in get hold of runs on a pitch that was praised by many in the press as one that would almost gift the batsmen with runs. If it was not already bad enough for the home team, the last four wickets made only two runs in 12 balls. Things were not going as many had hoped and for during the prematch build up. 

Despite the less than average performance by the England team, the home support was still alive until the very end which emphasises, despite the bad start, the support the team have throughout the country as well as the expectations many thousands have for the home side.  

Another blow for England was the loss of Stuart Broad, who is an old head when it comes to the Ashes, after a hit on the shoulder. It could become a problem for the side as they continue to be put under pressure throughout the series. 

England were 'let off the hook' by the Aussies as after a great morning and early afternoon performance the tide changed when it was the visitor's turn to bat. They let a sizable amount of their momentum to fizzle away in to the desert-dry pitch. The Aussie captain, Michael Clark, fell to the curved bowl of Anderson which clipped the off stump. Clark, the Aussie's best player and leader, was gone and as Chris Rogers was pinned out LBW after yet another bowl that delightfully curved it's way around to find Rogers by Anderson, everything is still to play for going in to the second day of the Ashes. 

Photo: AFP