This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/cricket/england/6183732.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
England falter in survival battle Collingwood defies Aussie attack
(about 1 hour later)
England made a dismal start to their attempt to bat out a draw in the first Ashes Test when they lost two wickets at the start of their second innings. Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen produced a welcome show of defiance for England as they battled to avoid defeat in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane.
Australia declared on 202-1 after Justin Langer had reached his 23rd Test century, giving them a lead of 647. England reached 150-3 at tea on the fourth afternoon with Collingwood 56 not out and Pietersen unbeaten on 25.
Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook made a solid start for England but Strauss then hooked Stuart Clark to fine leg. They came together when Alastair Cook was caught at short leg for 43, a second victim for spinner Shane Warne.
He went for 11 and Ian Bell was lbw for nought to Shane Warne three overs later as England went in to lunch on 43-2. Australia declared on 202-1 during the morning after Justin Langer reached his 23rd Test century - with a lead of 647.
Alastair Cook was unbeaten on 25 after looking commendably solid from the outset, but new partner Paul Collingwood had a couple of anxious moments before returning to the dressing room on three not out. The day began with the majority of the home fans hoping for an early declaration from Ricky Ponting after the anti-climax of the final session on day three.
The day began with the majority of the home fans hoping for an early declaration from Ponting after the anti-climax of the final session on day three.
He duly obliged after one ball of the sixth over, which Langer dabbed away for a single to bring up a 146-ball hundred.He duly obliged after one ball of the sixth over, which Langer dabbed away for a single to bring up a 146-ball hundred.
Langer's 100 not out was his fifth century against England
Ponting's share of an unbroken stand of 134 was 60 not out but worryingly for Australia, he sustained a back problem during the mini-session and was unable to take the field with his players at the start of England's innings.Ponting's share of an unbroken stand of 134 was 60 not out but worryingly for Australia, he sustained a back problem during the mini-session and was unable to take the field with his players at the start of England's innings.
Strauss opened the scoring for England by easing Brett Lee away through cover for three runs and collected four off the same bowler through mid-wicket in the fifth over. Lee and McGrath found the cracked pitch unresponsive as they probed for an early breakthrough with the new ball and it looked as if a long attritional struggle lay in store for both sides.
Lee and McGrath found the cracked pitch unresponsive and it looked as if a long attritional struggle lay in store for both sides. But Strauss (11) paid the price for another injudicious stroke as he hit a rising ball from Clark straight to substitute fielder Ryan Broad. It was the second time in the match that he had succumbed attempting the hook shot.
But with the score on 29-0, Strauss paid the price for another injudicious stroke as he hit a rising ball from Clark straight to substitute fielder Ryan Broad. England could not afford another error of judgment from Strauss
It was the second time in the match that Strauss had succumbed attempting the hook shot.
England's first innings was a rarity in that Warne, the most successful bowler in Test history, failed to pick up a single wicket.England's first innings was a rarity in that Warne, the most successful bowler in Test history, failed to pick up a single wicket.
He was not to be denied a second time, however, as Bell missed the slider, a front of the hand delivery which goes straight on, as he pushed forward defensively and umpire Steve Bucknor sent him on his way. He was not to be denied a second time, however, as Ian Bell missed the slider, a front of the hand delivery which goes straight on, and umpire Steve Bucknor adjudged him lbw for nought.
Bell was replaced by Collingwood who was beaten outside off stump by two successive Clark deliveries and almost gave a catch to Damien Martyn at short cover from the next. Bell was replaced by Collingwood who looked vulnerable to Clark outside off stump and almost gave a catch to Damien Martyn at short cover.
His problems continued after the interval and had a lucky escape when Clark again found the edge and the ball touched just the turf about half an inch in front of Warne's fingers at first slip.
Collingwood grew in confidence, however, to help an impressively solid Alastair Cook add 55 for the third wicket and even upper-cut a Lee bouncer over the keeper's head for six.
But Warne struck again with a leg-break into the rough bowled from round the wicket which Cook could not counter and Mike Hussey took the chance at short leg.
Cook's dismissal for 43 brought Kevin Pietersen to the middle. Could he rein in his attacking instincts and occupy the crease?
Australia employed some unusual field placings to try and unsettle him, employing two men at short cover, but Pietersen held himself in check as Collingwood advanced towards his half century.
It arrived off 86 balls with an authoritative pull for four off McGrath, who was operating at a slightly reduced pace because of a sore heel.