Australian media call for Ashes winning pitch

The Australian press have mixed praise for England with a damning assessment of their own team's display in the first Ashes Test.

The hosts appeared well set to win the opener in Brisbane, having gained a 221-run first innings lead, but England fought back well, aided by a toothless Australia attack, to reach 517 for one in their second stint at the crease as the contest petered out into a draw.

It gives Andrew Strauss' men the psychological edge heading to Adelaide, and the media Down Under are not impressed.

Columnist Peter Roebuck, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, said: "Australia have been cooked and served up for supper. Their bowlers have been taken apart by an opponent that usually departs from Brisbane in a state of shock.

"Records were broken and the score rattled along till the head was spinning, a trait that eluded the local tweakers. With the terrible logic of sporting supremacy, 300 became 400 and then 500 and still no sign of a wicket."

The Courier Mail, which is based in Brisbane, believes Cricket Australia must demand pitches that are likely to produce a result for the rest of the series as they try to regain the urn.

The Courier's Ben Dorries wrote: "The Gabba was meant to be the one Australian Test venue where Ponting could count on a win. It was Australia's own field of dreams and no visiting team had won in Brisbane since 1988.

"Indeed, such has Australia's dominance been here that only five times in 22 years have touring sides been able to cling on for a draw.

"Granted, the Gabba pitch was as flat as a pancake after the opening two days. But if Australia's quicks could hardly fire a shot on the pitch which has overtaken Perth as Australia's bounciest track, how the hell are they going to do any better anywhere else?

"It is sad that it has come to this but Australia must pull a rabbit out of a hat and order its curators to inject some surprise, blood and thunder and loads of extra venom in their pitches.

"A green pitch here, a dusty pitch there, a lumpy pitch there. Roll the dice and make this a 50-50 Ashes series where Test matches go crazy. It might be the only way."