Why England Lost the First Test

Full scorecard
England started of well in the First Ashes Test. Some hostile bowling from Harmison saw three batsmen get hit on the body, the top 3 Australian batsman were hit, Langer on the elbow, Hayden on the helmet and Ponting too on the helmet, who had a scratch on the cheek as the Helmet jammed into the face. He required 8 stitches on his face. Harmison was the key bowler who took 5 wickets in the first innings. 17 wickets fell on day 1. Australia were all out for 190 in their first innings.

England had a bad start to their innings, they lost quick wickets, they were 21/5. McGrath the main destroyer. Only Pietersen with 57 runs was the top scorer, who played well. In one over of McGrath he hit a four to long-off , a six over the long-off fence, a cover-drive to bring his 50 in style. He was finally out off the bowling of Warne, Pietersen slog sweeping to the deep midwicket, Martyn runs and takes a great diving catch in the air. England were all out for 155. McGrath took 5 wickets. Australia lead by 35 runs.

Australia in their second innings started cautiously, lost Langer early to a brilliant piece of fielding by Peitersen, who hit the stumps directly to run him out. Australia were 100/3. Clarke joined Martyn, Clarke was dropped by Pietersen, a simple catch at covers, when he was on 21. He and Martyn had a partnership of 155 runs for the 4th wicket. Clarke went on score 91 and Martyn scored 65. Australia were 279/7 at the end of 2nd day. Katich played well to extend the lead of Australia to 419, he in partnership with the tail. Katich was the last man to be out. Australia were all out for 384. England required 420 runs to win with more than 2 days left.

England started off well, with Ponting setting an attacking field. Runs were scored quickly, they lost their first wicket at 80. After that wickets fell regularly. At the end of day 3, England were 156/5 with Pietersen and Geriant Jones at the crease. Day 4 was delayed due to continous drizzle, it was only a matter of time that Australia would win this. Play was only possible later in the day. Austrlia required 10 overs to finish England off. Nobody gave support to Pietersen, who remained not out on 64. McGrath was the main destroyer on day 4, he and Warne picked up 4 wickets each in the second innings. England were all out for 180.

Australia did well in the batting department in the second innings, bowling was very good.
England's catching was too bad, they dropped 6 catches in all in the Test. Pietersen dropping 3 catches, Geriant Jones dropping 2 and Flintoff dropping one. Batting was not good, bowling was ok. Catching was terrible. England main reason for losing the match I felt was their not taking catches, not taking the opportunities that came their way.