Paul Collingwood is known for his spectacular catching ability, and at the end of day one he had put another nail in the coffin of Ricky Ponting’s (12) captaincy. Having already edged through the vacant fourth slip area without scoring the Aussie skipper almost gained another reprieve but for the athletic Collingwood who plucked a sumptuous one-handed catch off a ball that was travelling.
The Australian’s do not have fond memories of the Durham all-rounder, with Matt Hayden and Ponting again falling to his terrific abilities in matches past. Following on from the recalled Phil Hughes (2) dismissal, Ponting left the field in a state of disarray after his brief stint left the fragile Aussies on 17-2.
From thereon in it would prove a fruitless first session for the Baggy Greens’ as England’s seam attack ripped through a fragile and somewhat nervous batting line-up. Chris Tremlett (3-63), recalled to the squad after three years, merited his selection with some fine bowling that utilised the bounce and pace of the flat track.
But several wickets that fell were unnecessary, with Ponting, Michael Clarke (4), Steve Smith (7) and Brad Haddin (53) all falling to wayward shots, summing up the current plight they seem to be suffering. Mike Hussey (61) once again provided the base for a comeback, using guise and skill to frustrate England’s four-pronged attack.
Mitchell Johnson (62) went out guns blazing to temporarily put Steven Finn (2-86) and Graeme Swann (2-52) on the back foot. But after a brief spell of Australian tail-wagging the day belonged to a clinical England once again.
The passion and confidence of the tourists squad is higher than it has been in years, and despite Cricket Australia ringing the changes at every opportunity, it seems England are on the march to victory.
But of the 11 Test matches England have played at the Waca, their sole victory came in 1978, and that is a heavy weight that Strauss’s men seem confident in removing from their shoulders.
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