First Test: Brisbane

The 2010/11 Ashes Series will get underway at the fabulous Gabba in Brisbane with both sides desperate for the all important win. England will be hoping they have a fit squad to pick from with their bowlers likely to be the key, the indications are that they will start with four bowlers on a good batting pitch so they will need to play well. Andrew Strauss and Ricky Ponting will be under pressure as they look to get the series off to a good start so there is likely to be one or two nerves in the air. The toss will be important with the winning captain set to have a bat first in keeping with tradition in recent years.

England will be hoping they can erase the memory of the last time they played at the Gabba in the last Ashes Series, they were hammered by 277 runs in a game which started with Steve Harmison bowling a wide to second slip. It will be a vital match as both teams look to set their stall out with a five match series ahead, no team can win the Ashes in Brisbane but one side could well go along way to losing them at the Gabba.

1st Test team news

The make up of both teams will be of big interest in the build up to the first test match at the Gabba, we will have a foot in both camps throughout the build up and we will be bringing all the team news as and when it becomes available.

England Team: Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steve Finn.

Australian Team: Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Xavier Doherty, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus.

1st Test catch up

Should you miss any of the action or want to read a daily update from the first test in Brisbane you will be able to do so below. At the end of each days play a summary of the action will be documented for you to read.

1st Ashes Test | Brisbane – Day 1 Report >>

1st Ashes Test | Brisbane – Day 2 Report >>

1st Ashes Test | Brisbane – Day 3 Report >>

1st Ashes Test | Brisbane – Day 4 Report >>

1st Ashes Test | Brisbane – Day 5 Report >>

1st Test Result

After a hard fought match with Australia performing better in the first two days and England in the last 3 days the first Ashes test in Brisbane ended in a draw. The first test highlighted how evenly matched the two teams are.

The upper hand has to be with England going into the second test as the Australian bowlers toiled away without any luck shattering any confidence they may have had. With only 3 days until the start of the Adelaide test mental and physical preparation will be key.