ONE-DAY SERIES, BRISBANE:
Australia 156-6 bt England 155 by four wickets Mike Hussey's unbeaten 46 led Australia home as England's paltry total of 155 was overhauled with four wickets and 11 overs to spare, despite the efforts of the tourists' impressive bowling attack.
LATEST ACTION (all times GMT)
AUSTRALIA INNINGS
39th over: It's all over and Hussey's the match-winner. He pulled Flintoff for a splendid four and then drove through the covers to secure victory inside 39 overs. He finished on 46 not out, with Brett Lee unbeaten on 20, but England's bowlers ensured they were forced to work in Brisbane despite a palty victory target. I'm off to fashion a Hussey voodoo doll in preparation for the next match! 156-6
38th over: Brett Lee carves a short and wide Tremlett delivery for four and Australia are on the victory march again. It's been a splendid effort from England's bowlers but 155 was never going to be enough. Lee inside-edges just past the leg stump off the final delivery but survives and Australia now have two overs to get eight runs and earn a bonus point. 148-6
37th over: Hussey survives yet again as another Flintoff delivery goes past his outside edge without contact. He responds by creaming a lovely drive though the covers and England are not amused. Hussey is now the match's top scorer and the "Finisher's" reputation is being enhanced match-by-match it seems.142-6
36th over: Lee is accounting himself quite nicely at the Gabba. He glances off his hips for two and then strikes a streaky four when an attempted pull edges over the slips. What England would give for a wicket. 138-6
"I totally agree with Flintoff's tactics here. He's got to go for broke. You wouldn't mind Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken facing Collingwood and Dalrymple in the final 10 overs with, say, 10 to win. But Flintoff or Tremlett need wickets."
Angus Fraser on Test Match Special
35th over: Lee grabs three off Flintoff through the covers. As Arlo White on Test Match Special says, for two apparently good mates these two spend a hell of a lot of time knocking lumps out of eachother. Flintoff goes on the attack with three slips, a leg slip and short leg but Lee survives and Australia are closing on victory. 131-6
34th over: Tremlett resumes bowling duties - which would apparently suggest Flintoff is banking on this match being over one way or the other before the 40th over and before he has to employ Collingwood or Dalrymple's dobbers. Apart from a wide first ball - the 17th extra of the Australian innings - three come from the bat and the hosts are happy to bide their time. They probably fancy hitting the winning runs off Colly or Dally. Can't blame them really. 126-6
33rd over: Hussey enjoys another slice of luck, hooking Flintoff first ball off the top edge and it flies over the rope for six, almost decapitating a lady steward in the process. Which is just mean. Fourth ball and Flintoff beats Hussey's bat for the umpteenth time - to say this has been a charmed innings is an understatement. 122-6
32nd over: A clearly fired-up Anderson is causing Lee and Hussey all sorts of problems, the former somehow missing an edge behind by a matter of a layer of paint. Anderson completes his allocation, finishing with 2-29, meaning he and Lewis are bowled out. Soon enough England will need to find a fifth set of 10 overs from someone. 114-6
31st over: News from snickometer is in - and Hussey did edge behind last over. As if beating the world champions wasn't hard enough, England apparently have to get their better players out more than once. Flintoff brings himself back on and peppers Lee with short deliveries before the number eight edges down to third man for a single. 110-6
"You get the feeling Paul Nixon is in the ear of Mike Hussey - and why not. He likes a chat anyway, but especially now after the last over when Hussey should have been given out."
Angus Fraser on Test Match Special
30th over: WICKET - Australia 108-6 (White 5)
Drama at the Gabba! Anderson and Nixon launch a vociferous and convincing appeal after the ball goes past Hussey's edge but umpire Darryl Harper shakes his head. Anderson and Nixon are vision of complete disbelief and the former pleads with Hussey to walk. He doesn't. However, three deliveries later and Anderson traps Cameron White in front for an absolutely clear lbw. Justice done? Australia are six down and Brett Lee gets off the mark with a single first ball. 109-6
29th over: How to win friends and influence people by Jon Lewis. Paul Nixon stands up to the stumps with Hussey on strike and Lewis reponds by throwing down a bouncer that almost takes the wicket-keeper's head off. A couple of singles from the over though and England are a wicket or two from being right in this game. 103-5
28th over: Hussey relieves the pressure by pulling a short Tremlett delivery for four - he really is the most organised of cricketers. A couple from the fifth and sixth deliveries of the over make it a more than profitable one for Australia as their hundred comes up. 101-5
27th over: WICKET - Australia 93-5 (Clarke 36)
In Freddie's absence, Lewis returns. Andrew Strauss, Lewis himself, Ian Bell and Paul Nixon respond by engaging in an ill-organised impromptu rendition of the YMCA dance. Whatever was intended with all that arm-waving pays off as Lewis removes Clarke, strangling the Aussie down the leg side with Nixon collecting comfortably. The hosts need 63 from 142 balls with just five wickets in hand. Not wanting to miss out on the action and/or dancing, Flintoff is back on seemingly unharmed. A wicket maiden. 93-5
26th over: Flintoff goes off the pitch, with Ravi Bopara on in his place. The skipper did appear to pull up grimacing a couple of times in that last over and it would seem he wants to get his foot checked out. Fingers crossed all round it's nothing serious - though it would be just England's luck if something were to be amiss. Meanwhile, Tremlett continues and a good over is ruined when Clarke pounces on a half-volley to drive through the covers. 93-4
25th over: Clarke takes Hussey's lead and drives a wide Flintoff delivery for four. Another splendid drive down the ground brings four more and it's a positive avalanche of boundaries in the context of this innings! 88-4
24th over: I'm telling you, if the England bowlers can keep this up through to March, they might just have a chance at the World Cup! Only joking of course John, but it is encouraging to see the England attack firing in successive games. And Tremlett is so close to a crucial breakthrough - drawing the inside edge off Clarke but it rebounds off his thigh and goes safe. Finally Hussey breaks free at the end of the over, cutting the first boundary for 54 minutes. 77-4
"Please don't get carried away just because a few wickets have gone down. No doubt you will be telling us that England will now go on to win the World Cup."
John from Horsham
23rd over: Clarke cuts down to third man for a couple, and it is fielded by Loye - who appears to have hurt his knee sliding down to collect the ball. Hopefully nothing too serious though as play continues. A sharp Flintoff bouncer has Clarke in trouble but the batsman avoids it and the ball is still doing something at the Gabba. 71-4
22nd over: A dab down to third man from Clarke brings ironic cheers from the Brisbane crowd, and it's safe to say they're not wholly inspired by what's being served up by the Australia batsmen. Two from the over and it is now 47 minutes since the last boundary. 69-4
"England are obeying the basics - just what Michael Vaughan has been preaching since returning as skipper. And it's been impressive, if not explosive, out there."
BBC commentator Angus Fraser
21st over: This really is a strange one at the Gabba. It's certainly not the limited-overs cricket we've got used to in recent years - and most definitely not from Australia. Flintoff's accuracy is maintained, at speeds of over 90mph, and Hussey is happy to leave well alone when he can. That's now just six runs from the past five overs. 67-4
20th over: And it is as you were from Tremlett's over. No scares for Australia but two an over from here on in won't do it for them. It's worth remembering though that despite their encouraging start, England were 72-5 at this point of their innings. 66-4
19th over: Just a couple from an accurate Flintoff over and Australia, while clearly in no rush as yet, are being tied up quite nicely by the England attack. 64-4
18th over: In a double change, Chris Tremlett takes over from a very impressive Anderson spell. Unsurprisingly, the Hampshire seamer is a little inconsistent in his line, on his first senior appearance in 18 months. However, he manages to cause the odd problem and only the wide run is conceded. 62-4
17th over: 'Freddie' Flintoff is on in place of Lewis, but the all-rounder struggles to repeat the opening bowlers' accuracy. A punch for two through the covers and then a pull through mid-wicket for three makes it five from the over. Flintoff hits 90mph by the end of the over but this Aussie pair are doing well to dampen English hopes at the moment. 61-4
16th over: England take the final powerplay even though the chances of this innings lasting 50 overs are pretty slim. Anderson continues - he and Lewis will have both bowled eight on the bounce at the end of this over - and he almost earns the prize wicket of Hussey, 'Mr Cricket' wafting at a wide one but missing by a matter of milimetres. A couple off the last mean it's three from the over. 56-4
15th over: Australia's 50 is up off 92 balls. It's ahead of the run rate but it's not really the hosts' usual style. However, Hussey has been the form man since the start of the Test series and Clarke looks comfortable at the other end - Australia are still firm favourites. A punch through the covers brings three for Clarke and they take five in total from the over. 53-4
14th over: Another superb Anderson over and it's a maiden. Clarke edges the final delivery just short of Collingwood at a wide slip. The Gabba crowd are finding their voice all of a sudden, though it's not clear if they're trying to rouse the home team or are feeling the effects of the local hospitality. I know where my money is. 48-4
"Paul Nixon looks like a kid in a lolly shop behind the stumps. He's really enjoying himself taking these Anderson and Lewis deliveries."
Geoff Lawson on Test Match Special
13th over: WICKET - Australia 48-4 (Symonds 4)
Australia are four down! Where does this put England's hopes of victory? Symonds, one delivery after crashing Jon Lewis through point for four, slashes at another wide one but succeeds only in edging to Nixon, who takes a diving catch. The wicket-keeper then takes a catch off Hussey's thigh pad final ball of the over, and England's appeals are waved away. Nixon is pulling out some top-level gurning behind the stumps - Gilchrist is not a patch on the Leicestershire keeper in that regard. Even with those ears. 48-4
12th over: There's a steely-eyed determination about England. Anderson in particular is putting in the hard yards and his pace is right up in the high 80s. However, Clarke keeps his composure and pinches five runs from the over. 43-3
"A sub-standard batting effort (Ed Joyce is, as I feared, struggling to make the step up from Ireland to England) with a couple of honourable exceptions, but what a difference a few wickets make to the scorecard! Another wicket now and England might even start to believe that they could win it..."
Mark Kidger
11th over: WICKET - Australia 35-3 (Hayden 19)
Jon Lewis aka Doctor Who aka Sly Stallone aka Oscar Wilde maintains the pressure and all of a sudden Hayden snaps - attempting a wild hook on the walk that collects snow in the heavens before dropping to Anderson, who hangs on gratefully on the boundary. The crowd react to Anderson's celebrations but the truth is it's the Australian batting that is causing them frustration. Apparently England don't have a patent on collapses! Clarke grabs a three to end the over. 38-3
10th over: Anderson is in the groove and Hayden is treating him with the utmost respect. Twice the opener is rapped on the pads, but twice the ball is going over the top. The Lancashire seamer is making the most of the humid conditions to gain some movement and, with the lights on, perhaps England's target isn't such a 'gimme'. A maiden. 34-2
9th over: Hayden looks in good touch at the moment and he carves a two through cover and then pinches a single - Flintoff hits the stumps but the opener is well home. Freddie looks on pensively, scratching what looks like a very itchy beard. I bet the missus is no fan of that. 34-2
8th over: WICKET - Australia 30-2 (Hodge 0)
A superb catch from Dalrymple and Australia are two down! James Anderson has been pacey and aggressive so far and he is rewarded when he squares up Hodge and the batsman edges to Dalrymple on the dive at point. New batsman Michael Clarke is beaten outside his off stump first ball and Australia are under a bit of pressure here. 30-2
7th over: WICKET - Australia 26-1 (Gilchrist 8)
England's pressure start pays off as Gilchrist attempts a wild pull off a short Lewis delivery, holing out to James Anderson at deep square. It was a fine catch on the run from the seamer and the England team are in raptures - do they think they can do this? Hayden thinks otherwise, and brings up another boundary with a glorious cover drive. 30-1
6th over: Anderson tucks Hayden up charging down the wicket first ball, but the opener repeats the trick fourth ball, slogging wildly at a wide one which flies just short of Lewis at third man. Big shout for lbw off the next ball but it is correctly turned down as Anderson's delivery appears to be bouncing over the wicket. 24-0
"England are ahead at the moment. They were 24 without loss off five overs."
Angus Fraser on Test Match Special
5th over: The answer appears to be one ball into the fifth over. Gilchrist slashes at a slightly wide Lewis delivery and edges the ball over slip for four. Lewis then beats Gilchrist's outside edge, though it is called a no-ball for overstepping. Hayden also decides he's given Lewis too much respect and comes down the pitch to punch him through square for three. Nine off the over. 21-0
4th over: A nice, tight opening from England's opening bowlers here, though Anderson concedes a couple of wides - one on the off side and one down the leg side. It's fair to say the Australian openers are content to make a watchful start at the moment, but for how long? 12-0
3rd over: Lewis, round the wicket to Gilchrist and bowling from wide on the crease, does well to cramp the opener and the Gloucestershire seamer bowls out a maiden. The hosts' required run rate is now 3.11 an over - bring it on! 10-0
2nd over: Jimmy Anderson will share the new ball and his first delivery, full and straight, hints at some swing. He's keeping the ball up there in an attempt to find the movement through the air and it's a decent start until Hayden clips the final ball over the infield to the boundary. 10-0
1st over: At the start of England's innings, the general consensus of opinion was that this was a belter of a pitch. Australia might just be about to show everybody how good. A rather sedate opening though as the openers are content to deal in singles. Perhaps they are waiting for a softer ball before launching their customary assault on the boundary. A misfield from Joyce ends the over - he really looks out of place at the moment. 4-0
0725: The umpires are back out at the Gabba and Australia's reply is only minutes away. Can England pull off the impossible? A required run rate of slightly over 3 an over should barely tax Australia but you never know!
0630: Australia timed their last wicket perfectly to ensure an hour's break for lunch. Play resumes at 0730 GMT, see you then.
ENGLAND INNINGS
"We were going to bat but we knew that there would be something in the pitch if we hit the right areas and that's what we did. It's my last outing here at the Gabba and I'm pleased with how it went. I'm sure we can get a partnership together early on now and knock these runs off."
Glenn McGrath
42nd over: WICKET - England 155 all out (Dalrymple 31)
That's it. A rank long hop from Cameron White draws Dalrymple into an ill-advised pull and he top edges it down the ground to Mitchell Johnson at long on. A poor end to a poor innings and Australia might just knock off these runs before the lights even come on. 155 all out
41st over: Symonds and Michael Clarke are having a right old laugh at Glenn McGrath, who has been tasked with patrolling the entire cover region by himself. To say they are not worried by James Anderson's ability on the drive is an understatement. Another couple of singles bring up the 150 and I bet the Australians are quaking at that total. 150-9
40th over: Australia give Cameron White the chance to turn his arm over and he beats Anderson's edge twice without reward. England survive and grab a couple of singles as well. 148-9
"3000 words in 9 hours Tim? That's a word rate of 5.5 a minute. If only England could score that an over!"
Alistair.. depressed in Sydney
39th over: WICKET - England 145-9 (Lewis 1)
Jon Lewis is the latest man out for England. Three balls after being spilled at first slip by Hayden, he prods a slow full-toss back at Nathan Bracken, who gratefully pouches his third wicket. James Anderson comes to the wicket tasked with holding up an end for over 11 overs. I'm not holding my breath. 146-9
"I keep refreshing the page hoping for some browser error stuffing up the scores. Sadly it doesn't seem to be working."
Vince Mitalas
38th over: Dalrymple becomes the latest England batsman to somehow survive an lbw appeal - after Flintoff in the 31st over. Symonds is convinced his delivery struck the all-rounder in line and replays suggest he is correct, but umpire Darryl Harper waves away the appeals. A maiden. 141-8
37th over: WICKET - England 141-8 (Tremlett 9)
Bracken is back on, Lee having completed his 10 overs for a relatively expensive 2-53, and it immediately pays off for Australia. The New South Wales paceman draws a tame edge from Tremlett and Gilchrist takes a comfortable catch. The muted celebrations from the hosts suggest they no longer think this is a contest. They're not the only ones. 141-8
36th over: Symonds is proving as accurate as the rest of the bowling attack and, although England survive the over without incident, three runs do little to boost their total. 138-7
35th over: Dalrymple takes up the gauntlet thrown down by Tremlett and moves to 20 with a couple of fine off-side drives, taking nine from the over. I tell you, 15 more overs of that and England might just have a defendable total! 135-7
34th over: Tremlett proves he's no dummy with the willow, punching Symonds through the covers for four. He's batting on the front foot here and still manages to duck under a bouncer late in the over. Good resistance from the big man. 126-7
33rd over: Predictably, it's chin music for Tremlett from Lee. Which is only mildly worse than Lee's music. Still, Lee's single 'You Are the One For Me' is number four in India apparently. No accounting for taste, obviously. Anyway, six foot seven Tremlett survives a couple of bouncers as England grab three from the over. 122-7
32nd over: Symonds continues and restricts Chris 'Twiggy' Tremlett - in his first match for England in 18 months - to a single off the last ball of the over. 119-7
"Please tell the captain, cricket is a game of tactics and skill, not just muscle. Even I know a ball in the air can be caught. Why doesn't Flintoff?"
Jacqui, wales
31st over: WICKET - England 118-7 (Flintoff 27)
Flintoff, England's sole hope of posting a total surely, survives a vociferous lbw appeal against Lee. Umpire Ian Howell shakes his head but it can only have been an inside edge that saved him. The England skipper responds by hoisting a slower ball over mid-wicket for a brutal six. Or make that four - Howell changes his mind after replays show it hit the boundary rope on the full. Or maybe just before. Still, it matters little as Brad Hodge pulls off another superb catch off the final ball of the over, pouching Flintoff in the deep and England are staring down the barrell once more. 118-7
"Poor old Dalrymple, always left to try and push the score up to below par. He's gaining good experience for a post-cricket career in salvage operations.
I live in hope that he and Sir Fredalot can push us up to a total that'll give him a chance to bowl before the Aussies get to the total. They'd better do it or I'll be too disappointed to finish my dissertation, which is due tomorrow. Nine hours, 3000 words. Not too bad, is it?"
Tim Hiley
30th over: Andrew Symonds is on with Australia having to find a fifth set of 10 overs from somewhere. It'll be medium pace from the dreadlocked all-rounder as opposed to his off-spinners. Dalrymple grabs a couple with a cut shot and then flukes a four, edging over slip and to the third man boundary. 114-6
29th over: Not a great deal to report from the Gabba at the moment. England, and Flintoff in particular, are putting up decent resistance but they're dealing only in singles at the moment. Jim Maxwell's tip that this is a 300-score wicket seems a long way off. Three off the over. 108-6
28th over: Flintoff brings up the 100 for England, swotting Johnson through the leg side for four. He then grabs a couple with a flick off his legs and shoves Johnson out of his way in completing the runs. The Australia paceman, quite rightly if you ask me, chooses not to take him to task over it. A couple of singles make it a profitable over. 105-6
27th over: A single apiece from Dalrymple and Flintoff in another accurate over from Lee does little to alleviate the pressure on England. Survival appears the order of the day for England's last two recognised batsmen. 97-6
26th over: A Flintoff single brings Jamie Dalrymple onto strike, and the question from my colleague here is why the all-rounder is behind Nixon in the batting order. Your thoughts are welcome as always. That he is twice beaten outside the off stump by Mitchell Johnson suggests he might have struggled at number seven. But then he's struggling at number eight too. 95-6
25th over: WICKET - England 93-6 (Nixon 9)
Lee is on and one can only hope that the highlighted paceman does not sing. Flintoff keeps the scoreboard ticking over with a couple down the ground and then three through mid-wicket. However, that only brings Nixon onto strike and the wicket-keeper edges to Hayden at slip and England are in disarray.
24th over: Flintoff attempts to wrestle some initiative back with a lofted drive down the ground for four. A pull brings him a single, but that's it. 88-5
"It's not a question of England not trying. It's just Australia are a top side and England, unfortunately, are not."
Simon Mann on Test Match Special
23rd over: Seven off the previous over, two off this one. McGrath keeps Nixon in check for five deliveries before the wicket-keeper grabs a couple behind square. To say it's not thrilling is an understatement though. 83-5
22nd over: Nixon breaks the shackles for England with a sparkling boundary in front of square. He celebrates by dropping his trousers to adjust his thigh pad and box. One for the ladies there. Or maybe not come to think of it, no offence Nicco. Flintoff then hooks a short one from Johnson high in the air but it falls between the fielders on the boundary and he grabs a couple. 81-5
21st over: McGrath, all too characteristically, is right on the money here and Flintoff is fortunate as an edge outside his off stump falls between the slips. Two off the over. 74-5
"We're hoping and indeed praying England can turn this one around, as the fortunes of the team seem inexplicably linked to whether we get our law essays finished by the deadline a few hours!"
Kushall and Brooksby
20th over: Ian Bell appears to be fielding questions from all corners in the stands, including from a 'fan' leaning over the wall of the England area engaging in a polite enquiry as to what happened for his run out. Wouldn't we all like to know. Out in the middle, Johnson throws down a maiden and England are well and truely in a rut. 72-5
19th over: WICKET - England 71-5 (Collingwood 0)
Despite Paul from Taunton's insistance, it does indeed get worse. A jaffa from McGrath again exposes Collingwood's frailties outside off stump and the Durham all-rounder edges behind first ball. Five wickets have now fallen for just 19 runs in 34 balls and Michael Vaughan is right to look mystified looking on from the dressing room. Paul Nixon grabs a single from the over though, so all is not lost! 72-5
"What an embarrasment! Its been the same story all summer. It surely cant get any worse!"
Paul from Taunton
"A dangerous thing to ask your partner to dance in the middle of a run."
Aaron Flanagan
18th over: WICKET - England 70-4 (Bell 10)
Utter comedy from England! Collingwood calls Bell through for what looked like an easy single, but the Warwickshire batsman is guilty of ball-watching and fails to respond until too late. The pair meet in the middle and Bell turns to see Cameron White's tame throw roll along the floor and run him out. Complete disaster. Once again it is all down to Flintoff it would seem, and the England skipper sees out the over. 71-4
17th over: WICKET - England 70-3 (Joyce 5)
There's a shock. England mascot Ed Joyce heads to the dressing room early again after a thick inside edge off McGrath is pouched comfortably by Gilchrist. Ravi Bopara might just be given his chance next time out. 70-3
16th over: Unsurprisingly, Australia opt for a third powerplay as the clouds roll in overhead in Brisbane. Ian Bell responds with a drive over the infield for a couple and then carves Johnson in front of square for a fine four. A single off the last ball makes it seven from the over and that will be drinks. Don't mind if I do, thanks. 69-2
"Finally got myself sorted to get on and finish my coursework, a 2000 word essay due in for tomorrow. But then Mal Loye stepped up and I must say I am struggling to apply myself to the work! I'm waiting for more fireworks when Freddy steps up to the crease so I can go to bed happy!"
James Johnson (Brighton University)
15th over: Come on Joyce - I've always thought he could make it at this level - the number four drags a fine pull out of the bag to grab a nerve-settling boundary off McGrath and then leaves a fine delivery that misses off-stump by inches. 62-2
14th over: You can't help but feel normal order has been resumed here in Australia. Mitchell Johnson is on, Bell grabs a run and Joyce gets off the mark with a scampared single, but the hosts are back on top at the Gabba. 58-2
"Get rid of Strauss. He's no good."
Steve in Kent
13th over: WICKET - England 56-2 (Strauss 18)
Damn that McGrath! Clearly inspired by my goading - he reads this between overs you know - he accounts for Strauss's wicket as England's promising start is undone in a matter of six balls. The Middlesex opener's attempted pull flies at Brad Hodge who plucks it out of the air on the dive for a splendid catch. Still, here comes England's saviour - Ed Joyce - hurrah! A wicket maiden for McGrath. 56-2
12th over: WICKET - England 52-1 (Loye 36)
And it does not last long! Loye, so impressive so far, edges Bracken to Matthew Hayden at a wide first slip to fall for a run-a-ball 36. What a shame. Ian 'The Bludgeoner' Bell (alright, a tad optimistic from me there) gets off the mark with a dab down to third man, a shot matched by Strauss and it brings the opener a couple. 56-1
11th over: Few things in sport make me smile more than a disgruntled Glenn McGrath and I'm beaming a bit at the moment. Loye chops him over the slip cordon for four first ball to bring up England's first opening stand of 50 or over on this tour and attempts another slog-sweep second ball. McGrath can't stop talking and I'm making the most it while it lasts. 52-0
10th over: Bracken is the only Aussie bowler showing control at the moment and England are sensibly showing the necessary restraint. Until Strauss dances down the wicket and misses one wafting outside his off-stump. One from the over. 47-0
9th over: McGrath is on in place of the expensive Lee - but Loye is not intimidated by names or reputation and smashes him on the pull for four first ball. A hoisted sweep second ball brings another boundary. 'Pigeon' McGrath is not a happy man and has plenty to say to Loye. He might be suggesting a 'brow trim, who knows. The pair see out the over and this is already England's highest opening stand of the series. 46-0
8th over: Bracken calms matters, with Loye showing the over the respect it deserved, grabbing just a single off the last delivery. In other news, that really is quite a pair of eyebrows Loye is sporting under his helmet. 37-0
"It looks an absolute belter of a pitch. Once the ball goes a bit softer after these early overs, England really can start to think about posting a total."
Angus Fraser on Test Match Special
"Anything under 300 and you might have to worry."
Jim Maxwell in reply
7th over: Loye's impact is not just on the scoreboard - Strauss is picking up the gauntlet now. After pushing a couple through the covers he gets a six off a top-edge pulling at Lee. It's well caught in the crowd too by a young Aussie who unfortunately is baring his portly belly. No-one wants to see that. Lee has now gone for 27 off his four overs on his return to the side. 36-0
6th over: Bracken's the next to get the treatment from Loye as the opener drives through the covers for four first ball. A smashed pull goes straight to a fielder and then Loye misses one wafting outside the off stump - his first false shot of the innings. Another slog-sweep attempt brings only an appeal as it grazes his pad. It's a decent battle this. 28-0
5th over: Ladies and gentleman - Mal Loye has arrived! A trademark front-foot slog sweep off Brett Lee brings him six runs - the delivery was well over 90mph man, have you no sense?! Lee is stunned. He then pulls a short one from Lee for four and leaves the other deliveries alone. Brains and brawn from Loye - where's this been all tour? Tremendous stuff. 24-0
4th over: Bracken beats Strauss' outside edge first ball - and to be honest, given his luck so far this tour with decisions, it's a surprise the Middlesex opener is not given out. Still, it doesn't stop Strauss coming down the pitch and missing outside the edge fourth ball. Nice intent from the Middlesex man, not such good execution though. A three off his legs ruins Bracken's bid for a maiden. 12-0
"England discover their own version of Clint Eastwood, the man with no name..."
Andrew Leary in Lancashire
3rd over: Loye's looking in good shape here - a fine flick off his legs earns him three - before a wild cut stroke from Strauss brings him one down to third man. Being as eagle-eyed as ever it has taken me this long to notice Loye has neither his name nor number on his shirt. What happens if he gets a score? Sports people can be superstitious people you know. Anyway, the opener sees off the rest of Lee's over without incident. 9-0
"England will be hoping to post a score of around 250-270 on a decent pitch here at the Gabba and maybe put Australia under some pressure."
BBC commentator Angus Fraser
2nd over: Nathan Bracken will share the new ball with Lee ahead of Glenn McGrath, most likely with Australia hoping he can get some swing early on. It doesn't do a great deal though and a couple of singles bring an end to an otherwise accurate over. 5-0
1st over: Strauss dabs Lee off his hips second ball to bring debutant Loye onto strike. His first ball from Lee raps him on the pads outside leg stump at a rather pacy 93.1mph, but he strikes down the ground with a nice shot to get off the mark with a two next ball. Three off the over and Loye looks in decent shape. 3-0
0314: All the players are out now, with England looking to build on victory against New Zealand against the arch enemy, and, let's be honest, against all the odds. Brett Lee will open the bowling to Andrew Strauss. Here we go.
0312: The England team are out at the Gabba and Loye is congratulated on winning his first cap, receiving a grab on the backside from Collingwood. Isn't that nice.
0307: Play looks like starting on time, but it's not without a scare - the covers have been on and off all morning with the odd bit of rain around. Still, no hesitation from returning skipper Andrew Flintoff to bat first after winning the toss.
"It's a good pitch, we saw that in Test series, and I want us to get out and be positive. It might zip around early on but we should be able to post a score. And it's good for Loye on debut - he's a destructive player and hopefully he will show that."
England captain Andrew Flintoff
"Teams have chased down totals on here before so we're not too disappointed I don't think. Whatever you do first, you have to do well and obviously we have to bowl well. It's humid and cloudy so I would imagine it could swing out here."
Australia captain Adam Gilchrist
0248: The full team is now in - and Loye's inclusion is not the only surprise - fans' favourite Monty Panesar has been left out with paceman Chris Tremlett finally getting his chance. So England will be relying on Jamie Dalrymple's and Paul Collingwood's dobbers then. Terrific.
0246: However, with 21-year-old Ravi Bopara having scored a century against Australia in 2005, you have to feel the young Essex batsman is somewhat unfortunate to still be waiting for his call-up. Not least with Ed Joyce enjoying a stay of execution despite yet another failure against New Zealand last time out.
"Good luck Mal Loye, I think he is definitely the right man. By the way - James Foster for wicket keeper!"
Daniel Cambage
0243: Loye averaged over 63 with the bat for Lancashire last season in 10 llimited-overs matches, suggesting his inclusion is fully deserved. It would also appear that, following 36-year-old Paul Nixon call-up, England's selectors are looking to experience, rather than youthful exuberance, to take them places ahead of and during the World Cup.
0230: News comes through that Mal Loye will take the place of the injured Michael Vaughan in England's side. At 34, the Lancashire batsman immediately becomes one of England's elder statesman, despite the fact that this will mark his international debut.
So, is he the right choice? Or is his selection long overdue? Contact us via the usual routes, listed below.
Text the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on 84040 (from the UK only)
Email the BBC Sport website and the TMS team on TMS@bbc.co.uk
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