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Page last updated at 11:32 GMT, Friday, 3 December 2010

Friday's Ashes gossip column

Australia v England, second Test
Venue: Adelaide Oval Date: 3-7 December. Match starts 0000 GMT on 3 Dec Coverage: Listen live on Test Match Special on BBC Radio 4 LW and 5 live Sports Extra; text commentary on BBC Sport website and live on Sky Sports 1

Matt Prior and Paul Collingwood
Matt Prior and Paul Collingwood celebrate the wicket of Mike Hussey

Australia's media are dismayed by their side's opening to the second Test at the Adelaide Oval where their first three wickets fell for just two runs. The Herald Sun describe it as a "horror start", the Sydney Morning Herald reflects on Ricky Ponting's team's ongoing "Ashes wobbles", and the Australian describes "a lurching bid to reclaim the Ashes" that has gone "from bad to worse on a disastrous first day".

By contrast, the English writers revel in a successful day for the tourists. "One of England's best days in Ashes cricket. It's as simple as that," says the Daily Telegraph. The Independent praises England's "gritty perseverance and meticulously planned strategy" while the Guardian describes a day that "must have exceeded the England captain's dreams". The Daily Express relocates the England side to "dreamland".

Australian opener Shane Watson, one of James Anderson's four victims in the opening day of the second Test, admits the 28-year-old has improved markedly since his last tour down under. "Jimmy is a very skilful bowler these days, it's hard because he swings the ball both ways," he said.
Full story: Adelaide Advertiser

England captain Andrew Strauss has reprimanded batsman Kevin Pieterson for his Twitter outburst over the practice nets in Adelaide.
Full story: the Sun

Spinner Graeme Swann has revealed that he and his England team-mates are warming up for the on-pitch battle with virtual warfare on a games console.
Full story: ECBcricket's YouTube channel

Swann believes the "odd pat on the bum" was key to keeping his England team-mates' energy high in the field.
Full story: Metro

Dropped bowler Mitchell Johnson reacted angrily to his omission from the Australian side, exchanging words with selector Greg Chappell before storming out of their meeting.
Full story: Daily Mail

Former Australian batsman Matthew Hayden believes the selectors should have showed loyalty to Johnson.
Full story: Canberra Times



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see also
Wednesday's Ashes gossip column
01 Dec 10 |  Cricket
Tuesday's Ashes gossip column
30 Nov 10 |  Cricket
Monday's Ashes gossip column
29 Nov 10 |  Cricket
Sunday's Ashes gossip column
28 Nov 10 |  Cricket
Saturday's Ashes gossip column
27 Nov 10 |  Cricket
England in Australia 2010-11
08 Oct 09 |  Cricket


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