Ashes pitch slammed as 'very, very poor'

Mitchell Johnson finished with a career worst figures of 0 for 111 in the first innings. Photo / AP

The pitch for the first Ashes test at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens has been heavily criticised for its lack of pace by England and Australia.

Cricket Australia's senior writer Andrew Ramsey has described the pitch as "Mitch-proof" with both Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson seeing deliveries struggle to carry through to the keeper in the first innings.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan described the pitch as "very, very poor" on Twitter and Geoffrey Boycott - blunt as ever - said: "it's bottom of the test grounds we have - it doesn't give anything for anybody."

"Will say now... This is a very very poor Cricket pitch.... #Ashes2015..." http://t.co/3E4zCIMfXj

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 8, 2015

Cardiff hosted the first test of the 2009 series, where James Anderson and Monty Panesar batted for hours on the final day to salvage a draw for England.

Before the test match, Glamorgan groundsman Keith Exton told Wales Online: "We hope this one will have a little more pace but we hope that we see an equally good game of cricket.

"It's natural to be nervous and excited at the same time but watch me after three overs - I'll either be beaming with delight or hiding.

"It's the pinnacle of any groundsman's career to produce a test match pitch and if the game is as finely balanced as the one we hosted here in 2009, I'll be very happy."

Keith could be forgiven for hiding behind the sofa as the bowlers toiled away on an unresponsive surface but there may be some redemption.

The first two days have produced some exciting cricket, with 694 runs scored and 15 wickets taken and Joe Root's thrilling knock of 134 from just 166 balls is undoubtedly the highlight so far.

The game is delicately poised with Australia 166 runs behind with five wickets remaining and a result looks likely with three days left.

England so happy with the Cardiff pitch they're doing homage to it.#ashes2015 pic.twitter.com/it59IjgD80

— Greg Baum (@GregBaum) July 7, 2015

Terrible test pitch from what I've seen so far. Very good captaincy by Clarke getting the spinner on so early.

— Chris Tremlett (@ChrisTremlett33) July 8, 2015