<p><br /> The Australian press have mixed praise for England with a damning assessment of their own team's display in the first Ashes Test.<br /> </p><p><br /> 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.<br /> </p><p><br /> It gives Andrew Strauss' men the psychological edge heading to Adelaide, and the media Down Under are not impressed.<br /> </p><p><br /> 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.<br /> </p><p><br /> "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."<br /> </p><p><br /> 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.<br /> </p><p><br /> 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.<br /> </p><p><br /> "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.<br /> </p><p><br /> "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?<br /> </p><p><br /> "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.<br /> </p><p><br /> "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."<br /> </p>
