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First Ashes Test at GABBA ends in an expected draw

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Alastair Cook Gabba 235The first Ashes Test at Gabba, Brisbane which promised out to be an exciting one after Peter Siddle’s hat-trick on the first day and the subsequent fightback from England when they reduced the hosts to 143 for 5 panned out into a high scoring draw! This was because of three consecutive flat batting days that saw as many as five centuries getting piled up!

England were already comfortable going into the final day with nine wickets in hand coupled up with a lead of 88 runs. They went onto bat almost until Tea after declaring their second innings at 517 for 1 leaving Australia a target of 297. Overnight batsman Alastair Cook remained unbeaten with a maiden double century, on 235* from 428 balls having batted out for as many as 630 minutes! Cook bagged the Man of the Match for this Test saving knock. His overnight partner – Jonathan Trott also remained unbeaten having got 135* in 266 balls with 19 fours.

Australia finished the Test Match at 107 for 1 in 26 overs in their second innings with Ricky Ponting helping himself to an unbeaten 51 from 43 balls with 4 fours and a six while Watson remained not out on 41 from 97 balls.