21 Aug 2009

Advantage Australia after 1st day of 5th Ashes test

5:55 am on 21 August 2009

The England cricketers failed to build on a promising position in the deciding Ashes Test against Australia, compiling 307 for 8 on the first day at The Oval.

After deciding to bat first England were 108-1 at lunch, with skipper Andrew Strauss making an assured fifty.

He eventually fell for 55, while Ian Bell made 72.

However 5 wickets fell after tea to give the visitors the advantage with Peter Siddle taking 4 wickets.

England need to win to lift the Ashes from Australia.