Strauss leads from the front
Date released: 16 July 2009
England captain Andrew Strauss leads by example on day one of the Ashes Test at Lord's. Re-live all the action from The Home of Cricket from our over-by-over coverage.
Following the game with Lords.org? Email us your questions, comments & opinions: Live@Lords.org
Match summary
England: 364-6 CLOSE
Australia: 0-0
Batsmen (runs): Andrew Strauss (161) & Stuart Broad (7)
Bowlers: Pavilion End: Mitchell Johnson
Nursery End: Ben Hilfenhaus
6:07pm That's it for the day - what a great day's Ashes cricket. England started like a runaway train and seemed in the ascendency - but Australia scrapped their way back into it. With six wickets down on what looks a batting friendly wicket they'll be delighted with their efforts too.
Thanks for following it with Lords.org - we'll be back tomorrow from 10am for more live coverage from The Home of Cricket.
6:03pm 90th over: Johnson delivers the last over of the day.
Broad defends away the last ball in textbook fashion. That's the close of play.
England 364-6 at the close.
5:58pm 89th over: Hilfenhaus to bowl the penultimate over of the day.
A sweet half-volley from Strauss as he grabs four more runs.
More generous applause for Strauss - that well-timed four brings up 5,000 career runs for the England captain. He's really batted well today - sadly for England he's been a rarity.
5:54pm 88th over: Without wanting to curse him - Strauss's highest ever Test score is 177. Johnson continues from the Pavilion End.
5:48pm 87th over: Hints of swing again for Hilfenhaus but Broad nicking it away for two - bringing up 350 for England.
Broad is waving to the England dressing room - my guess from his charades-action is he's calling for a chest-guard.
Meanwhile his captain, Andrew Strauss dabs that away for two more runs to bring up his 150. A very well received innings from the crowd at Lord's - an excellent knock.
5:44pm 86th over: Johnson gets first go with the new ball - Broad clips that one away for three runs.
Strauss goes one better, pushing Johnson back down the ground for four, with umpire Doctrove giving the customary horizontal arm wave.
Good fielding from Hilfenhaus cuts that one off to prevent Strauss moving to his 150 - he's just one run short though.
5:39pm 85th over: Strauss jabs that one away for a gently run two. The England captain looks like he's playing on a different pitch to his team-mates.
The umpire's are having a chat - perhaps picking out their dinner menu - we're just five overs away from the close.
Ah - the umpires are showing the new ball - Australia have called for the new ball at last.
5:35pm 84th over: Broad gets himself off the mark with a stolen single, he'll be relieved to move off nought.
Your emails - Simon K has written to us at Live@Lords.org again - thanks for your emails Simon. In an email headed: "Aaaaargh" he says:
"So much for England keeping their heads then. Come on Freddie! Show us what we're going to miss when you go."
As you'll have read by now Simon, even the great Freddie couldn't keep his wicket. Ominous signs for England at the moment.
5:34pm Four wickets for just 78 runs in this session - Australia really fighting their way back into the match.
5:29pm 83rd over: Strauss runs three in that over, against the arm of Nathan Hauritz who's back on the field. Juding by that throw he's far from 100%.
Flintoff's out. He pushed forward at that one but just got an edge, greedily snapped up by Ponting in the slips.
England 333-6 - Flintoff c. Ponting b. Hilfenhaus - 4
Reward for Hilfenhaus who's bowled well today. Not quite the denoument to his Lord's career Flintoff would have wanted. He may get another chance in the 2nd innings... and with the ball of course.
Another note for the superstitious amongst you: England have lost wickets on 222 and 333. These scores (multiples of 111) are known as "Nelson" in cricketing circles: one eye; one arm; one leg.
Ouch - another man down. Broad hit "amidships" too and he's having to walk that one off... if you can walk off being hit in the unmentionables by a cricket ball at 80mph+.
5:27pm The infamous England physio is on - Flintoff seems to be having a bit of a problem he was hit by one from Johnson in what can be politely described as "amidships". Flintoff's all smiles though, he seems ok.
5:23pm 82nd over: Johnson showing off the armoury against Flintoff: bouncers; full stuff; trying to tempt him outside off - but Flintoff resists.
A first maiden of the day for Mitchell Johnson.
5:16pm 81st over: Australia don't take the new ball straight away instead they toss the old one to Ben Hilfenhaus.
Hilfenhaus has, arguably, been the best Australia bowler today but with Johnson now amongst the wickets, Hilfenhaus will want to join the party.
Strauss throws the bat at that somewhat and gets lucky - edging wide of the slips and getting four runs.
No luck in that stroke - Strauss steps into that one, drilling it back down the ground for four more.
5:09pm 80th over: The ball is now 79 overs old - will Australia take the new ball immediately after this over? It would seem likely. Johnson will bowl what would probably be the last over with the old ball.
A clatter of stumps and Prior's wicket is in a mess. He stepped forward to try and drive but swung airily and totally missed it. Johnson didn't miss.
England 317-5 - Prior b. Johnson - 8
A huge cheer goes up... Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff strolls out to bat in what could be his last Test innings at Lord's.
Typical Flintoff... full and straight from Johnson and Flintoff punches it into the leg side for four.
5:08pm 79th over: Strauss helps himself to four more runs this time - a great shot into the leg side, all the way to the boundary.
5:02pm 78th over: Edged and more cheers from the Aussies fans... but it dropped just short of Ponting at second slip. England are looking edgy (literally) and from being nowhere Australia are right back in this match.
Three slips and a gully for this over from Johnson to the new batsman Matt Prior. Prior finds a gap between second and third slip (who's stood nearer a fourth slip position) and it runs for four to get him off the mark.
He's done it again! Ironic cheers from the England fans at some rather fortuitous batting from Prior.
4:58pm 77th over: Clarke's trapped Collingwood! He tempted him into hitting that one and Collingwood just dinks a dainty little catch straight to Peter Siddle.
England 302-4 - Collingwood c. Siddle b. M. Clarke - 16
That was poor from Collingwood - and most unlike him. Tempted into a shot he should never have played and I'm afraid that's another England batsman giving their wicket away.
A wicket maiden for Clarke - not a bad over for a 'batsman'.
4:52pm 76th over: Mitchell Johnson returns at the Pavilion End.
A leg bye brings up 300 for England.
Nathan Hauritz is back on the field - his hand is obviously feeling better. Ponting has a quick chat to him the question no doubt: "Are you OK to bowl?"
4:49pm 75th over: Clarke continues to press and probe but nothing to really trouble the batsmen who are content to take ones and twos.
4:44pm 74th over: Siddle clips Collingwood's pads a couple of times but the Durham man getting bat, just about on them both. Siddle really starting to find his line.
4:36pm 73rd over: North is finally given a rest - Michael Clarke comes on to bowl at the Nursery End. The batsmen nick, nudge and push away for singles.
4:36pm 72nd over: Another smart shot for Collingwood brings him another well run three.
4:32pm 71st over: Ricky Ponting has a long chat to Marcus North before this over. Collingwood cuts him away for a comfortably run three.
Siddle celebrates capturing Pietersen's wicket 4:28pm 70th over: Peter Siddle still bowling at the Pavilion End - and here's a great picture of him celebrating as he has Pietersen caught behind.
Another decent over by the man known as 'Sid Vicious' in the Aussie camp.
4:25pm 69th over: Collingwood's off the mark at last, from the 12th ball he's faced - for four, straight back down the ground. Good shot.
4:22pm 68th over: Strauss edges... through the slips - a diving Hussey has his head in his hands, that was a chance. A tough one, but a chance. It runs for four to rub salt into the wound.
4:18pm 67th over: Strauss forces the first ball of the over, off the back foot for two. North is bowling well for a supposed "part time" spin bowler.
4:12pm 66th over: Pietersen's gone! He's edged that one. Some movement up the slope from Siddle and Haddin takes the catch behind the stumps and Australia are delighted!
England 267-3 - Pietersen c. Haddin b. Siddle - 32
Collingwood the new man in - a very warm reception for one of the heroes of Cardiff.
Perhaps that was the short of shot you were talking about Simon? The sort that gets you out... a wicket maiden for Siddle, great over.
4:09pm 65th over: More singles taken by both batsmen to the spinner, North.
4:06pm 64th over: Peter Siddle replaces Hilfenhaus at the Pavilion End.
Pietersen's driving, through the off side for four runs. Would that be one of those T20 shots Simon was talking about?
Thanks for your emails - keep them coming to us at Live@Lords.org - we read them all.
Another uppish drive from Pietersen, powering Siddle back down the ground, past the bowler's outstretched hand for four more.
More of Your emails - Simon K has written in with words of advice for a certain batsman:
"The Ashes! I'm loving it. Come on England, keep your heads for the final session (KP, I'm talking to you) and let's not lose any more wickets today. What price Bopara losing his no. 3 place in the next Test. He doesn't look good enough does he?"
Simon, I'm a big fan of Bopara's his 143 here earlier this summer was majestic but with Ian Bell scoring runs like a machine do you go for the man in form? I'm glad I'm not an England selector.
4:01pm 63rd over: Still Marcus North bowling at the Nursery End. A couple of early singles - one for each batsman.
3:58pm: Here's another landmark for you - to go alongside Paul Collingwood's 50th Test cap. Umpire Rudi Koertzen is standing in his 100th Test today.
Congratulations to Mr. Koertzen who said: "It is an honour for me to stand in my 100th Test at Lord’s, a ground on which any cricketer would dream to play.
"It is also a special venue for me because my first match here was 10 years ago when I umpired the opening game of the 1999 ICC Cricket World Cup between England and Sri Lanka. And to complete the package, it’s an Ashes series. I don’t think I could ask for any more in my 100th Test."
Glad you love the old place as much as we do Mr. Koertzen - who'll receive a special award after the match.
Players are heading back out onto the field.
3:54pm: Do you enjoy a good pun? Why not enter our headline writing competition - pen us a tabloid-style headline for tomorrow's backpages (the more pun'tastic the better). We'll pick the best one and send you a Grade 1, 'Grace' cricket ball for your efforts.
3:52pm: Web-cam or not, I can tell you what's happening out on the pitch now. The ICC Hall of Fame are welcoming their latest inductees. Amongst their number today is MCC President 'Deadly' Derek Underwood. The former England Test bowler receives a presentation award in front of the Pavilion at Lord's.
3:46pm: Your emails - we've had a question from Frank M who wrote to Live@Lords.org - thanks for your email Frank, who asks:
"Can you tell me what has happened to your webcam? Will it reappear in the future?"
Sadly Frank, the web-cam is no more, especially during Test Matches. Somewhat ridiculously perhaps it clashes with the broadcaster TV rights so we're not allowed to show it. Fear not though - we'll have the latest photographs from Lord's as well as our live text commentary - so stick with Lords.org.
Have you entered our competition? Click to enter now - and you could win a £15 cricket ball - posted to you, free of charge!
3:43pm: Andrew Strauss is applauded all the way back into the Pavilion - a real captain's innings from the Middlesex man, very well played indeed.
That's the tea interval. Perhaps someone might slip a sedative into Pietersen's cuppa - he needs to calm down at the crease.
3:38pm 62nd over: We'll squeeze in one more over before tea. Strauss will want to wrap up his century in this over, if he can. Don't be reckless Andrew...
Nevermind Strauss, Pietersen almost gets himself out in ridiculous fashion! The ball balloons up from the bat and Pietersen almost catches it himself! Had he gloved it he'd have been out handled ball.
Next ball and it's skywards! Three fielders converge on it but it drops safe... two real let offs for Pietersen. Strauss marches down the field for stern words.
That's the way to do it... Strauss cuts hard and they run three. A century for the skipper - the crowd are on their feet.
A fourth entry on the Lord's Honours Board for Andrew Strauss.
3:36pm 61st over: Pietersen continues to play his shots - stepping into that one from North, back down the ground for four. 250 up for England.
3:32pm 60th over: Hilfenhaus has another one darting back at Pietersen down the slope. 'KP' shoulders arms and it's almost Cardiff all over again - as the ball nearly hits his stumps.
Much as Cook did this morning - after a chance, the next ball goes for four. Pietersen driving smartly.
3:31pm: News from our friend Chris Mallaband who's in Warwickshire for the BBC. Ian Bell's scored 101 not out... more pressure on Ravi Bopara. Thanks for the update Chris.
3:29pm 59th over: Pietersen nicks it to mid-on and looks for a risky single... it was never there and Ponting's throw has him scrambling for his ground... but it's an over throw! The sharp throw from Ponting had no-one backing up and goes for four!
3:26pm 58th over: Pietersen swings at that one from Hilfenhaus too - off the inside edge and they run one.
Strauss dabs away the rest of the over - he's within touching distance of his century.
3:23pm 57th over: The scoring rate slows... until Strauss goes after that one and batters it down the pitch for four runs!
It was a good shot in the end but a risky one - England seem to be chasing runs when really they need to just take their time. 200+ with only two men down is a great position. Strauss and Pietersen need to just bed in for a few overs.
3:18pm 56th over: Pietersen still on strike after that single from the last ball of the previous over. Two slips for this Hilfenhaus over and a man back on the long leg boundary.
Hilfenhaus beats the bat and the crowd are "oooh" and "aah"ing again. England need to take their time here - they're in a magnificent position. It'd be foolish to throw it away now.
3:15pm 55th over: Bopara trudged off looking disconsulate - but TV replays show that the umpire was spot on. Kevin Pietersen the new man in - Marcus North still bowling at the Nursery End.
A slip, a short leg and a silly point - adding in the wicket-keeper that's four men around the bat for Pietersen as Australia crank up the pressure on England's key batsman.
3:09pm 54th over: Another of those "matches within a match" as Hilfenhaus bowls to Bopara again - North v Strauss from the other end.
Bopara has the upper hand at the moment, waiting for one he can hit and driving it for four runs.
Knock-out blow for Hilfenhaus though! Bopara picks up the bat and is rapped on the pads - Hilfenhaus is appealing to umpire Doctrove... and the finger goes up again!
England 222-2 - Bopara LBW b. Hilfenhaus - 18
3:06pm 53rd over: North v Strauss still - the England captain's score has been rather static since Cook lost his wicket - the skipper bedding in for a while.
Strauss leaves one which nips back but still misses his stumps. Next ball and Strauss feathers it for four runs.
Four more runs for the captain who's motoring again having sized up North. An uppish drive this time to the Grand Stand boundary.
3:02pm 52nd over: Despite Johnson's wicket, he was still leaking runs. Ponting takes Johnson off again - Hilfenhaus returns at the Pavilion End.
Bopara's not hanging around - he stretches to reach that one and drives it up the Lord's slope, to the Warner Stand for four runs.
2:59pm 51st over: 50th over of the day and still Marcus North on at the Nursery End. A maiden over for the batsman-cum-spinner.
2:55pm 50th over: Bopara's off the mark with a four - which brings up 200 for England.
Johnson looks an almost totally different player after that wicket - he'll relish the chance to sling it in short at Bopara.
Bopara will feel comfortable at Lord's though - even moreso with that first Ashes Test under his belt. Last time out at Lord's he scored 143 against the West Indies. That flowing four from the last ball of the over will help too.
2:52pm 49th over: That's a surprise - Ponting sticks with Marcus North. You'd have thought perhaps another seamer to stick the ball up around Bopara's nose would be the call. Bopara did seem to struggle against the short stuff in Cardiff.
Decent over from North but mostly to Strauss who seems untroubled.
2:48pm 48th over: Steady over from Johnson.
2:45pm 47th over: A slip fielder in place now for this over from North. Cook nudges a single as he edges nearer to his century.
An uppish edge from Strauss flies way over the slips and runs away for four. Johnson still struggling.
There it is! Breakthrough at last for Australia and wouldn't you know it - it's the maligned Johnson who gets the wicket. He hit Cook just above the knee roll and Billy Doctrove has a think... and raises the finger. Out.
England 196-1 - Cook LBW. b. Johnson - 95
Suddenly there's a spring in the step of the Aussies - Ponting pointing around the field; three slips move in to welcome Ravi Bopara to the crease.
2:41pm: Drinks break. England 187-0 and Australia looking lost. When that last boundary was flashed away off Johnson's bowling, Ponting's head dropped - he'll need to lift it again to raise his team's spirits.
2:38pm 46th over: Mitchell Johnson is brought back by Australia - scrabbling for something, anything to boost their spirits.
That won't help much - Strauss cuts and takes four from the first ball; repeating the shot for two from the very next ball.
2:34pm 45th over: North is pitching it very wide, outside the off stump - Cook not tempted into offering a shot.
It gets worse for Australia - North drifts onto the pads and Cook pushes it for one... which becomes two with an over-throw, Haddin missing a sloppy throw in from Hilfenhaus.
2:29pm 44th over: Injury update on Hauritz - he has indeed dislocated his middle finger. A blessing and a curse - at least it's not broken but he's continuing to have treatment.
Siddle continues and Strauss accepts the width offers and cuts it for four runs. Siddle's losing his line.
As if to enforce the point he drifts to the leg side this time and Strauss just tickles it on it's way for another four runs. A no ball too.
2:27pm 43rd over: North beats the bat but beats the slips and 'keeper too - Haddin 'nutmegged' by that one through his legs - four byes.
And a misfield from Ponting now, to much laughter from the partisan crowd at Lord's.
2:24pm 42nd over: Siddle still trying to use the slope to angle the ball across the left-handed Cook but the England batsmen are well settled now and happy to leave anything they're not having to play.
2:21pm 41st over: Marcus North comes on 'officially' to bowl his first full over.
Some easy singles for both batsmen just pushing it to the fielders and jogging easy runs.
2:18pm 40th over: Peter Siddle on at the Pavilion End.
Hauritz is sighted on the Australia balcony - that's good news at least. If he's not going for x-rays it's a promising sign there's no break.
2:11pm 39th over: Strauss smashes that one back at Hauritz who tries to catch it... ouch! It's gone for three but the spinner is in trouble. His finger's at an awful angle and already looks the size of a sausage.
The physio runs on and quickly takes Hauritz away off the field. That's a blow for Australia.
Marcus North comes on to bowl his part-time spin for the rest of Hauritz's over. If Hauritz's injury is as bad as it looks they'll need the likes of North and perhaps Katich and Clarke to bowl some good stints.
No pun intended but fingers crossed it's "just" a dislocation for Hauritz - in which case he could be back on the field soon.
2:07pm 38th over: Hilfenhaus has Cook playing and missing - a frustrated Hilfenhaus looks heavenwards.
Once again, next ball after a chance and Cook takes it for four. He rocks back and just pushes it through the covers for four.
Four more for Cook - brings up 150 for England. Applause rings around Lord's - this is a dream start for England.
2:05pm 37th over: Still the silly point fielder for Hauritz bowling to Cook, who pinches a single. The close-in fielder (Ponting) stays there for Strauss too.
1:59pm 36th over: First ball of the over... edged! And dropped! Haddin dived but missed it... and it was a no ball anyway. Either way, Haddin will be disappointed with that one.
Strauss drives the next ball, they run a gentle two and the captain has his fifty - well played.
1:56pm 35th over: Cook paddles Hauritz away for a single from the first ball of the over. No close-in fielders for the spinner; two men back on the rope the rest in the circle.
A single for Strauss too - his first run since lunch - he's chasing his fifty. Ponting has a chat to Hauritz and positions himself at silly point.
1:53pm 34th over: Just two slips and a gully now as Australia are at that horrible point - torn between chasing wickets and not letting these batsmen plunder too many runs.
Another maiden for Hilfenhaus, his third since lunch, helps restrict the scoring.
1:50pm 33rd over: There's the first runs after lunch - four of them. Cook puts in a big stride, plants his foot and swoops down to pull that one away for four.
Four more, Cook slog-sweeping and helping himself to another boundary. Hauritz not getting much turn and Cook picking off the loose deliveries.
1:46pm 32nd over: The clouds are drawing over Lord's at the moment. Fear not, they're not grey (yet) but perhaps some overcast conditions to encourage the seamers.
Another maiden over as England struggle to get started again after lunch.
1:43pm 31st over: Still the spinner, Hauritz on at the Nursery End. Another maiden as the bowlers start with a better line in these opening overs.
1:41pm 30th over: Ben Hilfenhaus, the pick of the Aussie bowlers from this morning, comes on to bowl at the Pavilion End.
A maiden over as the batsmen settle in again after lunch - celebrities and musical whimsy aside for now, we're back on with the cricket.
Don't miss our competition below though - free to enter and a prize on offer!
1:35pm: Celebrity time again in the Investec Media Centre. The Duckworth Lewis Method have just been in to visit the BBC's Test Match Special: Thomas Walsh, Neil Hannon and friends performing on the famous old radio show - and standing on the balcony here to chat to a few old friends.
If you've not heard of them, The Duckworth Lewis Method are a band, named after the complicated cricket scoring system. They're very funny - their album of cricket related songs always raises a smile. My personal favourite? "Meeting Mr. Miandad".
Umpires on the pitch - closely followed by the players, we're moments away from restarting after lunch.
Competition time
1:14pm During an Ashes Series the papers are always filled with Ashes puns: from “Urn’ing victory” to “Ashes hopes turn to dust” etc.
We’re sure you can come up with something more inventive and original. What should tomorrow’s back pages say? Send us your tabloid-style headlines:
Be creative – you have our permission to give your headlines a heavy dose of optimism to favour whichever side you’re supporting!
Win a ball! The prize: We've got a Grade 1 'Grace' cricket ball worth £15 to give away to the best headline.
1:02pm: Go and grab a sandwich (or a "sanger" if you're an Aussie) and we'll be back shortly.
Do your typing warm-ups - we've got a great lunch-time competition coming up with some great prizes on offer!
1pm: England 126-0 at lunch. Strauss on 47, Cook on 67. They've batted very well, scoring rapidly too - aided by some rather poor Australia bowling, especially by Mitchell Johnson.
12:58pm 29th over: This will be the last over before lunch - Hauritz to bowl it.
A darted single from the last ball before lunch.
12:53pm 28th over: First ball and Siddle straightens Cook up, beating the edge. A good delivery.
Width offered from Siddle and Cook accepts the offer - taking Siddle for four runs into the off side, a lovely drive.
Cook is in his element now. Siddle pitches that onto Cook's pads and he turns it into the leg side, all the way to the boundary for four more.
12:49pm 27th over: A great solid start for the England openers. They've faltered at this stage before. Alastair Cook will have the words of his mentor, Graham Gooch ringing in his ears: "Make it a 'Daddy hundred'."
50+ won't win many matches - centuries may well do.
Strauss clips the first four from Hauritz's bowling - an ultimately fruitless chase to the boundary brings the cheers from the crowd.
Strauss reaches forward to that one and sweeps it around down the leg side and that runs away for four more runs. England really tucking into the spinner now.
12:45pm 26th over: Siddle perseveres from the Pavilion End. Cook plunders four more from the first ball - a pirouetting pull shot to the leg-side boundary.
12:42pm 25th over: Ponting has a long chat to Hauritz before this over. How many ways are there to say: "Get us a wicket, mate!" I wonder?
First ball goes for a single (a bye) - 100 up for England. Just a couple off the over.
12:41pm: Wondering about your lunch? We're 20 minutes away from the "tucker" as the Aussies might say. Stick with Lords.org - you won't want to miss a minute of this.
12:37pm 24th over: More movement for Siddle but also more extras - first a four wide of the 'keeper on the on side and then a no ball, umpire Billy Doctrove signalling the extras.
Strauss picks that one up and pushes it towards the Warner Stand - they run two.
Bouncer from Siddle now - that one's down the leg side and swinging wide of the diving Brad Haddin behind the stumps - four runs!
12:33pm 23rd over: The spinner coming on for Australia now. Nathan Hauritz replaces the hapless Johnson at the Nursery End.
Those four leg byes in the past over (the one that Haddin missed) were the first extras of the match.
Stat fact: Alastair Cook has never scored a fifty in an Ashes Test - he's scored a century but not just a fifty - can he convert this fifty too?
12:28pm 22nd over: Thick edge from Cook - streered wide of the slips and it runs all the way for four.
Fifty for Alastair Cook and rapturous applause around Lord's for the England opener, he's batted well.
Siddle beats the bat! Cook left it and it almost took his off stump! Head in hands for the bowler as the wicket-keeper, Haddin, misses it and it runs for four runs. Bad luck for the bowler.
Last ball of the over and Siddle raps Cook on the pads - he's making a loud appeal to the umpire but Billy Doctrove's not interested. Encouragement at last for Australia.
12:24pm 21st over: Johnson remains on at the Nursery End - Ponting keeping faith with him.
Short again from Johnson and gleefully pounced upon by Strauss who swings the bat and helps himself to four more. The eleventh boundary conceded by Johnson so far.
12:18pm 20th over: A bowling change for Australia but not perhaps the one you may expect. Siddle replaces Hilfenhaus - perhaps Ponting is planning to move Hilfenhaus to the Nursery End again?
Another decent over for Siddle, testing Strauss with movement but still no joy for the bowlers.
12:15pm 19th over: Two more consecutive fours for Cook from that over - from the last two balls of that Johnson over.
Johnson is being cruelly exposed here - as his confidence dips his bowling gets more wayward and Cook is being merciless.
12:12pm 18th over: Hilfenhaus still on at the Pavilion End. Johnson's six overs have cost 39 runs so far. Encouragement for England but they need to retain their focus.
Maiden for Hilfenhaus - almost to rub it in for Johnson.
12:08pm 17th over: Johnson's back - England may well be happy to see that. Can he find his line from the Nursery End this time?
Short answer to that is "no". Cook helps himself to two consecutive fours from the first two balls of the over. Johnson looks a broken man at this point.
12:06pm 16th over: Still Hilfenhaus on at the Pavilion End - three slips a gully and Australia still seeking their first wicket.
A maiden over for Hilfenhaus first back after the drinks interval.
Andrew Strauss walks through the famous Long Room at Lord's 12:04pm: Ever wondered what it feels like to walk through the Long Room at Lord's? Here's a taste - a great photo of the England skipper doing just that.
12:01pm That's the drinks break. Pop off and get yourself a cuppa this morning's session has proved a great contest - don't miss a moment with Lords.org.
That this chance to send us your emails.
11:58am 15th over: Two gullys move into place for this over from Siddle, bowling to Cook. Three slips too, Australia trying to push for the breakthrough.
A bit of star-spotting for you. Stephen Fry and Rolling Stones front man Sir Mick Jagger are in the crowd at Lord's.
They'll both have enjoyed that - Cook really got hold of that one, pulling it away for four runs. Good shot.
11:57am: The umpire is checking the shape of the ball, pushing it through one of their special metal hoops to check the shape - perhaps at Ricky Ponting's behest? His bowlers certainly seem to be struggling with it so far.
11:53am 14th over: All change again for Australia. Johnson off again after just one over - Hilfenhaus has moved around to bowl from the Pavilion End now.
Intersting stat so far: 14 overs in, 50 runs on the board and not a single extra, no byes, not even as much a wide.
Cook moves forward nicely and places it well - good footwork. They run three.
11:47am 13th over: A mid-pitch chat and touch of gloves from Strauss and Cook - they've started well.
As predicted, Hilfenhaus is taking off at the Nursery End and Siddle changes over to bowl from there instead.
A smart, well-driven four for Strauss - lovely shot. That brings up the fifty for England too - more warm applause around 'HQ'.
11:43am 12th over: Mitchell Johnson is straight back on again - interesting. Perhaps Ponting wants to try Siddle from the Nursery End to give Hilfenhaus a rest.
That's better from Johnson - a quicker one darts away from Cook to "oohs" from the crowd.
Immediate revenge for Cook, full from Johnson and Cook cuts it, a little tentatively but he gets four runs to the third man boundary.
11:40am 11th over: Ten overs in - Hilfenhaus is staying on by the way.
send us your emails - how do you think it's going? A decent start for the England batsmen; not so great for the Aussie bowlers, though Hilfenhaus has looked good.
What do you think? - let us know. Cheer on your team (or bait your rivals!) we'll publish the best emails here.
Maiden over for Hilfenhaus - another for his collection.
11:36am 10th over: No great surprise - Ponting has seen enough of Mitchell Johnson - Peter Siddle replaces him at the Pavilion End.
Not great news for Australia - one of their key seamers mis-firing again. The Lord's pitch looks seam friendly, rather favouring spinners - Johnson was battered for more than 20 runs in his first four overs.
11:33am 9th over: Strauss nudges a single and then Cook exposes Hilfenhaus to some of the same treatment being dished out to Johnson - the Essex left-hander driving for four.
11:27am 8th over: Strauss pushes that one away for two. Next ball and Johnson is short and wide again and Strauss punishes him again - four more. Johnson is really looking a little aimless (literally) at the moment.
Confirmation of that as Johnson still cannot find his line - Strauss is revelling in this. Four more runs for the captain.
11:22am 7th over: The first runs from Hilfenhaus - that ruins his run of maidens. A neat nick outside off from Cook for four.
Ponting almost sprints down the pitch to have a chat to his bowler.
Whatever he said it nearly worked! Cook tempted to play at one outside off and edges it! Just through the slips and it runs for four. A lucky escape for Cook.
11:18am 6th over: Strauss has to be on his toes now - Johnson ripping that one in short and the England skipper rocks back out of the way.
Strauss saw that one coming - more short stuff wide too and Strauss helps himself to four runs into the leg side. Loud applause around Lord's.
Four more for Strauss into the on side this time - all the runs coming from Johnson so far, a worrying start for the Aussie quick - he looks wayward.
11:16am 5th over: Just the three slips and a gully for Hilfenhaus, bowling to Cook. Another maiden over for Hilfenhaus - three in a row for him.
11:11am 4th over: Three slips, a gully and a short leg for this Johnson over bowling to Strauss who's still on nought.
Johnson topping 90mph at last - Cook is rocking and leaning to let most of these go past. Johnson has the pace but not the accuracy at the moment.
Runs - Strauss is off the mark at last just picking up the last ball of the over for a gently run two.
11:08am 3rd over: Well - despite some technical problems (sorry about that!) we're still underway. Five runs on the board and Hilfenhaus now bowling to Cook.
11:03am 2nd over: Mitchell Johnson will bowl the second over... first ball is airborne! Cook cuts it away but it runs safely and away for four.
10:59am 1st over: We're underway a little early - Ben Hilfnehaus will open the bowling from the Nursery End.
A decent first over for Hilfenhaus - no runs from it and the last ball darts away from Strauss off the pitch.
10:55am: The five minute bell is rung by Geoff Boycott today - the umpires are heading down the steps, closely followed by Ricky Ponting and the Australia team - here we go.
10:42am: We're fewer than 20 minutes away from the start of the Test. It will be Strauss and Cook versus the Aussie quicks first up. You'll get all the latest action from Lord's here on Lords.org.
Thanks to our new "auto-refresh" tool this page will refresh itself automatically every 2 minutes. If you can't wait that long have your finger poised on F5 and refresh the page yourself to get all the very latest action from Lord's.
10:35am: Some landmarks to look out for today: it's Paul Collingwood's 50th Test match; Ricky Ponting is also just over 60 runs away from becoming Australia's highest scoring Ashes batsman.
10:33am: History is on Strauss's side though - just. 117 Tests at Lord's 36 won by the team batting first; 35 by the team batting second. The rest were drawn (46).
10:30am: England win the toss and elect to bat.
Interesting call from Strauss - the last three captains to win the Test toss here at Lord's have opted to field first. Then again the last Ashes Test here in 2005 the Aussies won the toss - batted and clinched the Test win too.
10:29am: Here come the captains for the toss. They'll both want to win this first 'battle' of the day.
10:26am: England team news It's confirmed. 'Freddie' Flintoff is fit and plays. Onions is in and it is indeed Monty Panesar that makes way.
The full team: Cook; Strauss; Bopara; Pietersen; Collingwood; Prior; Flintoff; Broad; Swann; Anderson; Onions.
Australia team news: They are unchanged.
The full team: Phillip Hughes; Simon Katich; Ricky Ponting; Michael Clarke; Michael Hussey; Marcus North; Brad Haddin; Mitchell Johnson; Peter Siddle; Ben Hilfenhaus; and Nathan Hauritz.
10:24am: The first outing for our new "spotted" icon. Graham Onions is marking out his run-up. Looks like 'Bumble' was spot on.
Lord.org - live from the Investec Media Centre 10:15am: New to Lords.org? We're reporting to you live from Lord's - in the Investec Media Centre - one of the best views in the Ground.
Just trotting up the stairs to the Sky TV box David 'Bumble' Lloyd was calling out his team predictions. He thinks Flintoff's fit and Panesar's out for Onions.
That would be a big call with the form Steve Harmison is in. Shane Warne will tell you all day long that Australia don't like facing an in-form Harmison. Onions made his dream debut at Lord's not long ago - taking a five-for against the West Indies.
Whom would you pick and why?
Send us your emails - Live@Lords.org
And our Aussie readers - are you expecting an unchanged side? Shane Watson looked pretty fired-up and firey in the nets yesterday does he come back in?
Send us your emails - Live@Lords.org
10:05am: I had a chat to the MCC Head of Cricket, John Stephenson too. In effect he's Head Groundsman Mick Hunt's boss. We talked about the Ashes pitch. Stephenson thinks it will have pace and bounce but not much turn - at least not until much later in the Test.
That would seem to back the verdict in most of the papers: Monty Panesar will make way but who would you pick? Graham Onions or Steve Harmison?
Send us your emails - Live@Lords.org
10:00am Tick-tock... it's 10am. One hour to go until the first ball of the Ashes Test at Lord's. Nervous? Excited? Both? The Series is finely poised after that thrilling draw in Cardiff - this match will have a huge bearing on the destiny of that little urn.
The weather in NW8 is glorious. Sunshine, some high white fluffy cloud and dry as a bone - perfect cricket weather.
Got a ticket for Friday? The weather forecast didn't look good for Friday but I had a chat with BBC Test Match Special's Jonathan Agnew in the lift and he reckons the outlook is decidely brighter for Friday now. If 'Aggers' says so it must be true.
9:43am: The England squad are standing in a circle on the outfield - it's team talk time. Surely they don't need firing up for an Ashes Test at Lord's. Lots of clapping ends the chat and they skip, side-step and jog away for a warm-up run.
The Aussies? They're sauntering around the other half of the outfield. A couple have bats in hand; a few marking out run-ups there's even an Aussie Rules football on the pitch. Quite a contrast.
9:00am: Good morning! Glad to see you're here nice and early - the gates at Lord's aren't even open yet! It's as if you've sneaked in...
Don't worry - we won't tell anyone. Stick with Lords.org for the very best live online Ashes coverage. We're supposed to start at 10am but to be honest, it's that exciting we'll probably chunter away before then too. After all it's the Ashes!
Wednesday: 4:30pm If you're reading this already then you're probably as excited about the Ashes as anyone - well done! You're the sort of reader we want.
Whether you're a cricket buff or a total novice - welcome to Lord's and our live text coverage of the Ashes Test at Lord's - you've picked the right place to follow the match.
We are reporting from right amidst the action at The Home of Cricket - meaning you read the news as it happens - unlike some other "live" websites who are watching delayed TV pictures.
Reasons to pick Lords.org
There's more great reasons to follow the match with Lords.org: our great quick reference icons mean you can follow the match at a glance from sixes to wickets; bowling changes to centuries you'll get it all in an instant.
We've even colour-coded them so you can see if it's England or Australia in the action.
Competitions & your emails
And incase you needed more we'll be running exclusive, free competitions with great Ashes prizes to be won. Stick with Lords.org for the very best Ashes coverage from the Home of Cricket.
Click on to Lords.org from 10am tomorrow - we'll bring you all the news direct from the Ground from team news to the coin toss and decision plus all the action on the pitch.
Tomorrow promises to be a thrilling day. Whilst you're waiting why not send us an email: Live@Lords.org - we want to hear your team picks (Panesar, Harmison or Onions?); match predictions; Flintoff tributes; Aussie-baiting or Pom-bashing!
Write to us now
Still bored and cannot wait for the start? Have a read through some of our build-up content. We've got stat packs on England & Australia; our expert's predictions; the history of the Ashes Urn and much more besides..
See you tomorrow at 10am!
