Ashes: England stunned by Australian hat-trick

A Peter Siddle hat-trick, on his 26th birthday, ensured England were brought back down to earth after promising preparation for the Ashes.

Alastair Cook appeared to be steering England into a favourable position until Siddle, returning to Test cricket after a spell out with a stress fracture of the back, marked his birthday in memorable fashion.

Ian Bell had to watch from the non-striker’s end as Siddle finally ousted his fifth-wicket partner Alastair Cook (67), and then blew away the scoreless Matt Prior and Stuart Broad with full-length pace.

Bell completed a deserved 50 soon afterwards and finished with eight high-class boundaries in his 131-ball 76.

It’s obviously a strong performance by an Australian team that was largely written off by the British media. Australian High Commissioner

The day started on an ominous note for England when captain Andrew Strauss cut the third ball straight to gully for nought – and ended on a sour note too after Graeme Swann was dispatched for successive fours in his solitary over in Australia’s 25 for no loss.

For thousands of English cricket fans it was a day to forget, but for Australians living in England it was a moment to savour.

The Australian High Commissioner, John Dauth, told Channel 4 News he was feeling optimistic: “The first day of the first Test does not a summer make so I’m not going to get carried away.

It’s just been an amazing day. Peter Siddle

“It’s obviously a strong performance by an Australian team that was largely written off by the British media.”

John Dauth added he was keen for his country to make amends for previous defeats: “If you’re as passionate a cricket fan as I am then the last Ashes was excrutiating.”

Peter Siddle was also in high spirits after taking his first hat-trick since he was a 13-year-old schoolboy.

“It’s just been an amazing day,” he said, having earned his recall narrowly ahead of Doug Bollinger – another making his way back after injury.

“The crowd started to get behind me.

“It didn’t really worry me too much, it being a hat-trick ball.

“The crowd starting roaring, and it was very loud out there and definitely did pump me up.”