The In Dipper Blog

With the first day of the final warm up games for England and Australia over with, both sides face more questions than answers.

Here’s how I see it:

A Good Day for Harmie: Yes, I think Harmison significantly improved his chances of starting in next week’s text. His first ball was smack onto Hughes’ helmet (nice move given everyone’s first ball obsession with him) and it was apparently no surprise that he picked up Hughes with a brute of a delivery soon after. A good workload of 22 overs and three wickets was a good sign. The question is, on a Cardiff wicket that will probably not turn as much as everyone thinks, would the Aussies rather see Harmie or Sidebottom in the side…on today’s evidence it seems like a no-brainer.

A Bad Day for North: North’s woeful tour continues and there must be considerable concern about his ability to hold down the six position. He is definitely under pressure now from the other Australia specialist batsmen vying for his place…oh yeah,  I forgot, there isn’t one.

Johnson’s batting no flash in the pan: Johnson’s assured batting performance again showed that England will have to work seriously hard to get their 20 wickets in a match. All the more reason to have out and out pace bowlers in the England attack that can terrorise the lower order, adding to the case to include Harmison next week.

Mr Cricket is back: Yes, a scary thought for England is that Hussey looks like he is returning to form of old. A strong Australian middle order is key for Australia especially if a hot dry summer allows for significant reverse for England’s bowlers in the middle-end of the innings.

Rashid not ahead of Monty just yet: Rashid seems to have regressed today. Below average figures plus a drop catch at third slip of Harmie (Hussey no less) will certainly have not helped his cause. He has significant ground to make up in the rest of the match.

Katich a different prospect to 2005: Four years ago Katich was the proverbial “rabbit in the headlights” when facing England’s pace attack, especially Flintoff from around the wicket. But Katich seems a different player to me and I would not be surprised if he is the best performer in the Aussie top six over the five tests.

Let’s not worry about Fred’s batting: Fred didn’t bowl today but was out with Ottis working on his bowling well after the finish. Typically most articles include the line “Flintoff only made 19…”. But for god’s sake let’s realise that Fred’s great asset is his bowling. Good batting from him is a bonus but England should not rely on it. But then certain people will still say that Freddie’s bowling figures don’t warrant the reputation he has. I disagree. He’s a big game player whose been rife with injuries throughout his career. Given the set-backs he has had, his bowling record is still remarkable in my view.

Ashes chances after day one of warm up: Australia 55-45 England.