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Live - Australia v England Live - Australia v England
(10 minutes later)
Andrew Flintoff and Paul Collingwood hold the key for England as they look to reach a big first innings total in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. Glenn McGrath took his third wicket of the innings as England added just 11 to their overnight 234-4 before Paul Collingwood fell on the second morning.
They ended day one on 234-4, with Flintoff 42 not out and Collingwood 25. Collingwood was dropped by Justin Langer in the slips in the first over of the morning off Brett Lee.
Play began promptly at the rearranged time of 2319 GMT, with the weather in Sydney bright and sunny. It was the second catch dropped by Langer in his final Test, but it was not a costly error, Collingwood adding two to his 25 not out overnight.
Australia hope to achieve what would be only the second whitewash in Ashes history as they say goodbye to Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Justin Langer. Andrew Flintoff, 50 not out, was then joined by wicket-keeper Chris Read.
THE DAY'S ACTION (all times local to Sydney - GMT+11)THE DAY'S ACTION (all times local to Sydney - GMT+11)
By Tom FordyceBy Tom Fordyce
1044: Eng 240-4 Colly cuts loose - relatively so. After playing and missing at Lee twice, he flicks him down to deep square leg for two. 1048: WICKET - Collingwood ct Gilchrist b McGrath 27 - England 245-5 Just after Freddie goes to his 50 with a cover drive, McGrath strikes - getting extra bounce just short of a length and taking the edge of Colly's bat. Ah well - that didn't take long, did it?
1044: Eng 242-4 Colly cuts loose - relatively so. After playing and missing at Lee twice, he flicks him down to deep square leg for two.
To continue the NYE chat, the mussels had been down approximately one hour 15 mins when the first twinges were felt in the midwicket area. The timing then went a bit like this:10.29pm: batsman signals for assistance10.30pm: first mussels re-emerge at pace from the pavillion endTo continue the NYE chat, the mussels had been down approximately one hour 15 mins when the first twinges were felt in the midwicket area. The timing then went a bit like this:10.29pm: batsman signals for assistance10.30pm: first mussels re-emerge at pace from the pavillion end
1040: Eng 240-4 Lord alive - McGrath beats Fred all ends up with an absolute snorter - through the gate and so close to the top of middle that the bails probably kissed the stumps a goodbye. England are finding this mighty tough at the moment.1040: Eng 240-4 Lord alive - McGrath beats Fred all ends up with an absolute snorter - through the gate and so close to the top of middle that the bails probably kissed the stumps a goodbye. England are finding this mighty tough at the moment.
1034: Eng 240-4 Lee fancies this - he sticks to a just-outside-off line, and Colly's finding it tough. He jabs down on an inswinger and pulls his bat out of the way of another outswinger with a swordsman's flourish.1034: Eng 240-4 Lee fancies this - he sticks to a just-outside-off line, and Colly's finding it tough. He jabs down on an inswinger and pulls his bat out of the way of another outswinger with a swordsman's flourish.
1028: Eng 238-4 McGrath trundles in to Flintoff and is as on the money as Elizabeth II. Freddie squirts a four through gully off a thickish edge.1028: Eng 238-4 McGrath trundles in to Flintoff and is as on the money as Elizabeth II. Freddie squirts a four through gully off a thickish edge.
To start the New Year's Eve tale, I'd decided to play it safe ahead of these five night-shifts by having a quiet meal in with my big sister and her family. Not rock and roll, but that's how dedicated we are the BBC - nothing gets in the way of our work. Ever. Just ask Lisa I'Anson, Chris Evans etc. All was well until I tucked into a large plate of mussels - for the first time in my life...To start the New Year's Eve tale, I'd decided to play it safe ahead of these five night-shifts by having a quiet meal in with my big sister and her family. Not rock and roll, but that's how dedicated we are the BBC - nothing gets in the way of our work. Ever. Just ask Lisa I'Anson, Chris Evans etc. All was well until I tucked into a large plate of mussels - for the first time in my life...
1022: Eng 234-4 Whoosh - great opening over from Lee, and Colly didn't like it one little bit. The first four balls swing away at speed before Colly edges the fourth low to Justin Langer's left at wide third slip - but the soon-to-be-retired leftie spills the chance. JL - you've just not dropped the Ashes.1022: Eng 234-4 Whoosh - great opening over from Lee, and Colly didn't like it one little bit. The first four balls swing away at speed before Colly edges the fourth low to Justin Langer's left at wide third slip - but the soon-to-be-retired leftie spills the chance. JL - you've just not dropped the Ashes.
1018: Here we go - Flintoff and Collingwood stride to the middle, windmilling their arms in determined fashion. Looks like Brett Lee to open the attack - with the new ball. There's a few clouds overhead, a touch of wind and a crowd that's growing all the time.1018: Here we go - Flintoff and Collingwood stride to the middle, windmilling their arms in determined fashion. Looks like Brett Lee to open the attack - with the new ball. There's a few clouds overhead, a touch of wind and a crowd that's growing all the time.
1012: Although having said that, Theaudience did produce Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about moon-faced disco dollies with stuttering solo careers.1012: Although having said that, Theaudience did produce Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about moon-faced disco dollies with stuttering solo careers.
1005: I could be selling Freddie and Colly short there. But you know what I mean. To quote woeful post-Britpop band Theaudience (their grammar, not mine), "a pessimist is never disappointed."1005: I could be selling Freddie and Colly short there. But you know what I mean. To quote woeful post-Britpop band Theaudience (their grammar, not mine), "a pessimist is never disappointed."
1000: Listen - I'll fill you in on The Worst New Year's Eve In History in a moment. You'll like it - it's a good tale. In the meantime, welcome once again to an evening of foolish optimism. England played well yesterday, which has probably duped us all once again into believing - against all possible evidence from the last miserable two months - that they will put the Aussies to the sword today.1000: Listen - I'll fill you in on The Worst New Year's Eve In History in a moment. You'll like it - it's a good tale. In the meantime, welcome once again to an evening of foolish optimism. England played well yesterday, which has probably duped us all once again into believing - against all possible evidence from the last miserable two months - that they will put the Aussies to the sword today.
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