5th Ashes Test, Day 1: England vs Australia - As it happened...

Live updates from the Day 1 of the fifth and final Test of the Ashes series.

Zee Media Bureau/Feroz Khan

SCORECARD» I COMMENTARY»| REPORT» ========================================================================================================== Australia, 1st innings: Over 90 || Score 307/4 STUMPS: Chris Woakes almost got the much-needed breakthrough for his side when one of his balls kept low and hit Watson above his right pad, Dharamsena was convinced and he raised his finger. As he has done for the most part of the series, Watson reviewed the decision and this time it was over turned as the hawk-eye suggested the ball would have missed the stumps. New ball was taken in the 83rd over and Watson’s innings finally came to an end when he pulled Stuart Broad and Kevin Pietersen at deep square leg took an excellent catch diving to his left. Watson and Smith added 145 runs for the fourth wicket. With 23 balls remaining for the day to end, Peter Siddle was sent in as the night watchman and he scored some runs at a brisk pace before the play ended. Steven Smith 66* (133b) Peter Siddle 18* (15b) SR Watson c Pietersen b Broad 176 (247b) ==================================================================================== Over 80 || Score 261/3 And Watson-Smith continue to do the job for the Aussies as England bowlers’ search for the fourth wicket has been extended by this formidable partnership. The partnership has now been extended to 117 runs. Steven Smith is just one run short of a well-deserved century. Shane Watson 165* (224b) Steven Smith 49* (111b) ==================================================================================== Over 70 || Score 230/3 The fourth wicket partnership continues to frustrate England. Australia were in a similar position in the second innings of the fourth Test, which was followed by a sudden collapse. Right now, Watson and Smith are facing no problems whatsoever in scoring runs and spending their time at the crease. The duo has now added unbeaten 86 runs for the fourth wicket. Shane Watson is the key wicket here for England. The all-rounder has faced enough criticism of late and he has silenced all those who were against him, through a fitting reply. Shane Watson 150* (194b) Steven Smith 33* (81b) ==================================================================================== AUSTRALIA Over: 58 II Score: 183/3 It’s tea on Day 1 and England have had a good second session in which they picked up the key wicket of Michael Clarke. At the crease is the duo of centurion Shane Watson (121*) and Steve Smith who is on 15* (46b, 4X1, 6X1). Watto’s highest Test score is 126. ========================================================================================================== AUSTRALIA Over: 50 II Score: 162/3` Australian captain Michael Clarke was bowled by James Anderson as a god length delivery crashed on the stumps after hitting his pads. He scored 7 (39b). His departure brought Steve Smith to the middle. Meanwhile, Shane Watson reached his third Test century with a triple off Anderson. This is his first century in three years after last scoring a ton at Mohali against India in 2010. Later, off the first delivery of the 48th over, Smith launched Swann over long off for a maximum. Off the final delivery of the 50th over, Watson pulled Swann for his 17th boundary. ========================================================================================================== AUSTRALIA Over: 40 II Score: 137/2` Australia lost their second wicket after lunch in Chris Rogers. He fell to Graeme Swann after getting an outside edge off the first delivery of the 33rd over. This is the sixth time in the series that the southpaw has fallen to the offie. He scored 23 (100b, 4X3). His departure brought Australian skipper Michael Clarke to the crease. Clarke, who has had an issue with facing bouncer this series, was tested by Stuart Board on few occasions. At one time, he just offered his bat to a short one from Broad with the ball falling dangerously close to the stumps. Shane Watson is moving steadily to his 100. However, it isn’t proving to be a smooth ride for him as was the case in the first session. He was once struck by none other than Broad below his ear. He was on his haunches for a few minutes looking in considerable pain. He was treated by the team physio and afterwards looked ready to take the guard once again. ========================================================================================================== AUSTRALIA Over: 29 II Score: 112/1 It’s Lunch on Day 1 and Australia are sitting pretty after losing David Warner early in the morning on a dry pitch. Shane Watson was sent in at no. 3 spot today and after a being a little apprehensive, the big hitting batsman has raced to a total of 80* (77b, 4X15, 6X1). Courtesy his storkeplay, Australia have kept their scoring rate at or around four per over. Giving him company is Chris Rogers who is batting on 21 (87b, 4X3). James Anderson is the only bowler from England to have tasted successes this morning. ========================================================================================================== AUSTRALIA Over: 20 II Score: 55/1 Off the 11th over came four runs courtesy a boundary by Watson off Anderson. Spin in Graeme Swann was introduced into the attack in the next over and it was a maiden. Chris Woakes, playing in his first Test, was given a go in the next and off his sixth delivery, which was short, Watson pulled it for his fourth boundary. Swann continued from the other and bowled another maiden. The next two over went with without the addition a run to the total. Watson broke the stalemate with three boundaries in the 17th over of bowled by Woakes. The next three overs went quietly with the Aussies adding six more to the total. ========================================================================================================== AUSTRALIA Over: 10 II Score: 27/1 Australia have lost the wicket of opening batsman David Warner early in their innings. Anderson struck in his third over after David Warner went for a drive off his second delivery and could only manage a thin edge. He scored 6 (11b, 4X1). Watson was a little tentative in his approach before getting off the mark with a boundary off Anderson in the seventh over. Off the third delivery of the eight over, Watson was struck on the pads. The English team went up in unison but the umpire turned it down. After a brief discussion involving Anderson, Cook and Prior, the home team decided against going for the review. Bating alongside Watson is Chris Rogers who has so far struck two boundaries. ========================================================================================================== TOSS: Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first. A chance to make history, albeit of different sorts, will confront England and Australia when the final Test of this season`s Ashes starts at The Oval in south London on Wednesday. At 3-0 up with one to play, England have already retained the Ashes and won the series -- the first time since the 1950s they`ve won three successive Test campaigns against their oldest rivals. But they still have plenty to play as they`ve never won four Tests against Australia in England and have never taken any Ashes series by a 4-0 margin although they did win 4-1 in Australia in 1911/12 and in 1928/29 before taking a six-match series against an Australia side weakened by defections to the unofficial World Series Cricket 5-1 in 1978/79. 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