Related Links : England’s Tour of Australia 2010/11 : England Player Pages : Australia Player Pages : 1st Ashes Test Scorecard
Peter Siddle took a superb hat-trick on a dramatic opening day’s play of the Ashes 2010/11 at the GABBA as England folded to 260 after winning the toss. The Victorian fast bowler captured six wickets to give the initial advantage to Australia in this 1st Test at Brisbane.
Australia had a perfect opening when Ben Hilfenhaus had Strauss for a duck in the third ball of the match. England fought back with two partnerships revolving around opener Alastair Cook (67 from 186 balls with 6 fours) but Peter Siddle’s strikes turned the game around. Siddle’s hat-trick victims in the 66th over were included Cook (caught at first slip), Prior (clean bowled) and Broad (lbw to a yorker).
Amidst Siddle’s blows, England found a warrior in Ian Bell who played a fluent knock before falling in an attempted big hit off debutant left arm spinner Xavier Doherty. Bell scored a lovely 76 from 131 balls with 8 fours to add up some useful runs in the end. England got bowled out in 76.5 overs with 260 on the board. Siddle’s figures were a magical 16-3-54-6. Australia’s openers – Watson and Katich negotiated 7 overs before close taking the score to 25 for no loss.