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Version 4 Version 5
England make solid start in Test Bell builds platform for England
(about 3 hours later)
England reached 58-1 at lunch on day one of the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney. Ian Bell's fourth half-century of the series gave England a useful tea-time score of 149-2 on day one of the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia.
Andrew Strauss was dropped on 21 but only added a further eight before being caught at the wicket off Brett Lee. Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook were dismissed either side of lunch to leave England in some bother at 58-2.
He had put on 45 with Alastair Cook on a wicket with decent bounce and some pace after the tourists' captain Andrew Flintoff had won the toss. But Bell (58no) found an able ally in Kevin Pietersen (36no) and together the pair frustrated Australia's bowlers.
Glenn McGrath was arguably the pick of them, but went wicketless in the first 15 overs of his final Test appearance.
The other illustrious Aussie bowler earning his final international cap, Shane Warne, was kept under wraps until the 40th over.
He did not extract huge spin and was not at his most consistent either, but his threat will increase during the course of the match.
Play began 70 minutes late after morning rain, so the truncated first session lasted for just 17 overs.Play began 70 minutes late after morning rain, so the truncated first session lasted for just 17 overs.
Spectators arriving at the ground early in the morning were hit by a monsoon-like deluge and it was soon clear that despite the improving weather play would not start on time.Spectators arriving at the ground early in the morning were hit by a monsoon-like deluge and it was soon clear that despite the improving weather play would not start on time.
Finally, the toss took place at 11.10am local time (0010 GMT) and an 80-minute session ensued. Finally, the toss took place at 11.10am local time (0010 GMT) and an 80-minute first session ensued.
Strauss immediately looked anxious to score quickly but had difficulty locating the middle of his bat. Strauss immediately looked anxious to score quickly after Andrew Flintoff had won the toss but had difficulty locating the middle of his bat.
His first boundary was an edge of Lee that flew only marginally wide of the slip cordon and his second also came off the edge of the bat. His first boundary was an edge off Brett Lee that flew only marginally wide of the slip cordon and his second also came off the edge of the bat.
Strauss' best shot came one ball after he was dropped - an authentic on-drive off McGrath. He was dropped on 21 by Justin Langer fielding at third slip to McGrath.
But it was no real surprise when he was out soon afterwards - attempting a cut shot at a ball that hurried onto him. But it was no real surprise when he was out adding just eight runs to that score - attempting a cut shot at a ball from Lee that hurried onto him.
Adam Gilchrist had few problems taking the catch and Lee's first ball at Ian Bell was a short-pitched snorter that the right-hander did well to defend safely. Adam Gilchrist had few problems taking the catch and Lee's first ball at Bell was a short-pitched snorter that the right-hander did well to defend safely.
Bell clipped Stuart Clark to the fence at square leg for his first boundary while Cook, who had been watchful, began to grow in confidence. England reached lunch on 58-1 but failed to add to that score before losing Alastair Cook for 20.
He contrived to get an inside edge to a Stuart Clark delivery, giving Gilchrist another catch.
Bell, and particularly Pietersen, initially struggled on a wicket that offered some pace and bounce and just enough seam movement to keep McGrath, Lee and Clark interested.
The scoring rate was slow until Bell raised the fifty partnership by hooking a tiring McGrath for four.
Pietersen took 42 balls to hit his first boundary, but with defensive fields in place, refused to be frustrated into doing something stupid.