Ashes image spells trouble for Aussies

Australia will resume at 0/14 after England surprised many by declaring late on Day 1 at 3/383 after delivering on their ‘BazBall’ promise to bat quickly.It was statistically the earliest declaration in Test cricket history, but might just be what the game needs given the flat pitch and weather forecast in Birmingham.Joe Root scored his 30th Test century for England, while Jonny Bairstow was the next highest scorer with 78 off as many balls.Usman Khawaja is four not out and David Warner is unbeaten on eight.8.05pm - Covers on at EdgbastonThe covers are coming on and off at Edgbaston with some light rain and overcast conditions expected for Day 2.There is quite a bit of cloud cover, which could produce some swing and favour England’s fast bowling cartel of Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson.The covers have come off at play should start soon.England deliver on BazBall promiseAussie cricket fans got their first taste of Bazball on day one of the Ashes and it’s fair to say it was a new experience.Joe Root was still at the crease 118 not out when Ben Stokes called it an innings - the earliest declaration in the first innings of an Ashes Test in history.There might be a few question marks around that decision but England’s intent is clear.Mark Taylor was critical of the decision to leave Mitchell Starc out of the Australian team but Josh Hazlewood (2/61) was the best of the visiting quicks and struck first to remove Ben Duckett cheaply.But Crawley punished a wicketless Pat Cummins (0/59) and a surprisingly expensive Scott Boland (1/86 from 14 overs), so Nathan Lyon was relied upon heavily - and delivered with regular breakthroughs.Lyon (sixth) is still behind Cummins (third) in the ICC Test bowling rankings but there’s little doubt he’s Australia’s best bowler at the moment.Lyon finished the first innings with figures of 4/29.

from Daily Telegraph https://ift.tt/E5CmBq7

June 17, 2023 at 03:30PM
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Australia will resume at 0/14 after England surprised many by declaring late on Day 1 at 3/383 after delivering on their ‘BazBall’ promise to bat quickly.It was statistically the earliest declaration in Test cricket history, but might just be what the game needs given the flat pitch and weather forecast in Birmingham.Joe Root scored his 30th Test century for England, while Jonny Bairstow was the next highest scorer with 78 off as many balls.Usman Khawaja is four not out and David Warner is unbeaten on eight.8.05pm - Covers on at EdgbastonThe covers are coming on and off at Edgbaston with some light rain and overcast conditions expected for Day 2.There is quite a bit of cloud cover, which could produce some swing and favour England’s fast bowling cartel of Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson.The covers have come off at play should start soon.England deliver on BazBall promiseAussie cricket fans got their first taste of Bazball on day one of the Ashes and it’s fair to say it was a new experience.Joe Root was still at the crease 118 not out when Ben Stokes called it an innings - the earliest declaration in the first innings of an Ashes Test in history.There might be a few question marks around that decision but England’s intent is clear.Mark Taylor was critical of the decision to leave Mitchell Starc out of the Australian team but Josh Hazlewood (2/61) was the best of the visiting quicks and struck first to remove Ben Duckett cheaply.But Crawley punished a wicketless Pat Cummins (0/59) and a surprisingly expensive Scott Boland (1/86 from 14 overs), so Nathan Lyon was relied upon heavily - and delivered with regular breakthroughs.Lyon (sixth) is still behind Cummins (third) in the ICC Test bowling rankings but there’s little doubt he’s Australia’s best bowler at the moment.Lyon finished the first innings with figures of 4/29.