Alistair Cook

For the second consecutive day, the bowlers managed to take only one wicket as Alistair Cook and Jonathan Trott feasted upon some ordinary bowling on a pretty docile pitch. They put on an unbeaten stand of 319, the highest ever at the Gabba, overhauling the 307 put by Haddin and Hussey two days ago. It was also England’s best ever partnership against Australia and the first time the top three batsmen got to three figures in an Ashes series. England made 517/1 before declaring and giving Australia 41 overs to play out.

Resuming at the overnight score of 309/1, the pair of Cook and Trott scored runs at a decent pace. Cook regularly used his feet to attack Doherty while Trott played some exquisite drives down the ground. Cook notched up his first double hundred of 306 balls while Trott, who earned a reprieve when Clarke dropped a sitter at first slip, brought up his second century against Australia.

Australia’s bowling was far from threatening. Hilfenhaus was ineffective and Siddle couldn’t repeat his performance from the first innings. Xavier Doherty didn’t pose much of a concern and Watson was scored off at more than 4 per over. The spearhead of the bowling attack Mitchell Johnson continued his bad form and went wicketless for the first time in his career. A 19 ball duck while batting didn’t help his case and puts his selection for the second test in doubt.

Strauss declared with 41 overs left to go and Broad removed Katich of the sixth over of the innings. Ponting was struck on the helmet by Finn but the Aussie skipper was determined not to give away his wicket. He scored a quickfire half century of 40 balls as Australia raced to 107/1 in 26 overs.

At the start of the last hour, both the captains shook hands for a draw but after the Herculean batting effort of their top order, it will be England who will carry the momentum going into the second test at Adelaide – a venue where it doesn’t get any easier for the bowlers.

Tags: Alistair Cook, Australia, Batsmen, Brisbane, Cricket, England, Gabba, Jonathan Trott, Test Series, The Ashes, The Ashes 2010