For all the build up, the opening day didn’t disappoint. And for all the column inches dedicated to comparing both sides, finding key player battles and producing statistics showing one was better than the other, we found that there is nothing more than a blade of Cardiff grass between them. Today was a score-draw, but England had numerous chances to get ahead. Six out of England’s top seven played themselves in, but not one pushed on to get a big score in what was otherwise a solid team showing. The biggest culprit happened to be top-scorer Kevin Pietersen whose reckless sweep may well provide an important signpost come the final day and which side wins. Pietersen’s premeditated paddle clipped his own helmet on its way to Simon Katitch to leave England on an unfulfilling 241-5. His century partnership with Paul Collingwood was incredibly important – take nothing away from him on that basis – but he was so far outside of his off-stump with this swipe that another yard would have taken him into the River Taff. Michael Holding’s said it best: Pietersen has the ability to be a great player, but great players don’t play shots like that.

It would be unfair to focus souly on Pietersen – Strauss, Bopara, Collingwood, Prior and Flintoff all made starts from which one should have made a hundred. But all were set aside from Pietersen because they fell to decent deliveries, especially Prior who was bowled by an arcking inswinger from Peter Siddle. Siddle bowled well, despite his expensive figures, but it was Ben Hilfenhaus who caused the most problems and was unlucky not to take more than two wickets. With a pacey Mitchell Johnson and a decent show from Nathan Hauritz, Australia’s bowlers looked well-oiled but a shadow of the 2005 equivalent. Brett Lee’s presence may well have punished England further today.

Today’s blow-for-blow tussle sets it up nicely for tomorrow. A score of 400 or more, although unlikely, would put England as slight favourites on a pitch that is already friendly to spin and bounce. Australia’s batting line-up have been less than convincing thus far on tour, not least Ricky Ponting who could find his captaincy under review if his poor form continues and England retake the Ashes. Mike Hussey will be England’s prized wicket, despite his indifferent form of late. His knowledge of English conditions ranks alongside Simon Katitch and Marcus North – all of whom have played for a number of county sides – and it is in those three that Australia will hope to post a sizeable response in their first innings. Tomorrow promises to be just as exciting.