The Ashes: 1st Test Day 2

England 215 and 80/2 (43.0 overs)
Australia 280 (64.5 overs)

An amazing day of test cricket. If what has transpired so far is anything to go by than this Ashes Series is going to be full of twists and turns and drama aplenty. Day 2 of the First Test at Trent Bridge belonged to one man, Ashton Agar. The 19 year old debutant came to the crease at 117/9 after Anderson and Swann ripped through Australia's middle and lower order. What happened next blew away the cricketing world with Agar and Phil Hughes putting on a world record last wicket stand of 163. Agar made 98 before tragically being caught in the deep by Graeme Swann off a short ball bowled by Stuart Broad. It was as a majestic innings as you'll see from anyone. Straight sixes off the right arm spin from Swann and then classy on drives down the ground for four were some of the incredible shots played from him. As an Australian, the support he was getting throughout his innings on the internet was incredible with various forums and the Twittersphere riding his innings with him. Hughes the forgotten man in all of this, played a great steering role with an 81*. He was the man at the other end in a morning where Jimmy Anderson and Graeme Swann were catastrophic. Steve Smith made his 50 before being caught behind, while Swann bowled Haddin with a beauty of a delivery. Siddle, Starc and Pattinson all fell for only three runs between them, and after what the no.11 did, they will likely be demoted down the order. The major records broken were:

• Highest score by a no.11 batsman in test cricket
• Highest 10th wicket partnership in test cricket

There was controversy though with Agar being given Not Out by the Third Umpire from a stumping when he was on 6. Admittedly it did look out however it was incredibly close. Third umpire Erasmus obviously decided to give the benefit of the doubt to the batsman, and luckily he did, as otherwise we wouldn't have witnessed an innings which will go down in Ashes folklore.

More controversy reigned in the beginning of England's innings when Joe Root was caught down the leg side by Mitchell Starc. Aleem Dar gave it out, and despite getting his captain's view on it, Root left without reviewing it. The controversy happened next ball though when Jonathan Trott was struck first ball on the pads by an inswinging delivery from Starc. Dar gave it not out but Michael Clarke opted for the review. The ball hit him in line and was easily going on to hit the stumps, however there was some doubt over whether Trott nicked it or not. Hot Spot didn't show anything, however the side-on Hot Spot camera angle which would've proved more decisive was unavaiable. Turns out it was being used to replay the Root decision the ball before, and HotSpot is apparently like an old VCR in that it can't play and record at the same time. So the third umpire overturned the decision which left Trott and the whole of England fuming.

Cook and Pietersen recovered and brought England to stumps without the loss of another wicket to end an amazing day of test cricket.

Hero of the Day: Ashton Agar
Simply stunning from the young man. His innings has galvanised Australia, even so that Kevin Rudd has agreed (unofficially on Twitter) for today to be 'Ashton Agar' Day.

Villain of the Day: Marais Erasmus
Erasmus as the third umpire was definitely the villain from an English perspective. His controversial rulings on two key moments have left the England fans fuming, as well as their team management.

Who won the day? Australia (just)
England's rout of Australia gave the momentum, however Agar and Hughes preceded to rip that back from England. Cook and Pietersen's partnership before stumps steadied England, but I think Australia just won the day. In regards to the overall test though, England are just ahead, with a small lead, and a pitch which should cause some trouble for Australia in the fourth innings.

*By the way I try and post during play on various cricket forums using the user-name 'Cricket Brain'. Refer to the Contact tab for more details