Shane Watson & Andrew McDonald selected over Symonds as Allrounders for Ashes Tour 2009

The fight for the top allrounder position in the Australian test team ends with Andrew Symonds not making it in the playing XI for the forthcoming Ashes tour of England. Andrew McDonalds was the other surprise option for the allrounder position along with ShaneWatson.

A tough decision for the Australian Cricket Board to select the team. Andrew Symonds recent behavior which has kept him in the news off late, might have offered a negative point in his dropping from the Ashes test team.

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Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara give a good start to England – 2nd Test First Inning

Summary:


England 302 for 2 (Cook 126*, Anderson 4*) v West Indies

Ravi Bopara scored his third consecutive century to give England a strong start along with Alastair Cook who is unbeaten on 126. West Indies had to toil hard get across both these in form batsmen.

By end of day, England scored 302 for 2, with Alastair Cook and Anderson sent in as the night watchman. A nice batting pitch will help England put on a big score to pile before W’indies could get their hand with the bat.



Batting - England 1st innings
AJ Strauss c Ramdin b Gayle 26 66 4 0 39.39
AN Cook not out 126 262 14 0 48.09
RS Bopara b Baker 108 208 13 1 51.92
JM Anderson not out 4 16 1 0 25.00
Extras (b 9, lb 3, w 6, nb 20) 38
Total (2 wickets; 90 overs) 302
(3.35 runs per over)

Bowling – West Indies 1st Innings
LS Baker - 1 wicket in 19 overs
CH Gayle – 1 wicket in 12 overs

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