The Ashes: England v Australia | 1st Test | Edgbaston | Jun 16-Jun 20 | Day 2

[MenInG]

Some of the things that happened yesterday:


First ball 4
That ramp shot
Dropped catches
Freak dismissals
Broady vs Warner
Joe Root's 30th 100
Scoring at 5 an over
First day declaration

So what more can happen today?

==

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[Abdullah]

Awful awful decision from stokes.
It makes 0 cricket sense. In 4 overs the max you are going to get on that pitch is one wicket, which they could have got early in aus innings whenever it started.
Hope Aussies go big because it was an arrogant call from stokes.
The aim of test cricket is to win within 5 days , not 3.
393 is par and the Aussies will prove it today if they get through first hour.

 

[Ali Active]

Awful awful decision from stokes.
It makes 0 cricket sense. In 4 overs the max you are going to get on that pitch is one wicket, which they could have got early in aus innings whenever it started.
Hope Aussies go big because it was an arrogant call from stokes.
The aim of test cricket is to win within 5 days , not 3.
393 is par and the Aussies will prove it today if they get through first hour.

There is Rain predicted on day 3 so this could be shortened test thats why maybe stokes decided to declare

 

[MenInG]

Can England seize the initiative with the ball?

You would imagine England seamers Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson and Ben Stokes all woke up this morning enthused by there being some damp conditions in Birmingham early on.

Root, who has been known to turn his arm over with some occasional spin, too, is optimistic England can make the most of that after Australia's pace battery were made to toil in the sun on day one.

Root told Sky Sports. "Hopefully these conditions and a bit of moisture in the air will help it move around laterally. Whether it be off the surface or in the air, we've got some skilful bowlers who will be able to exploit that.

"Clearly there are some talented batters in their team, but if things do get a little bit hard we've just got to be smart, try different plans and look to take wickets. We'll just keep throwing everything at them, that's how we go about things now."

 

[MenInG]

Not BazBall from Australia!

3 maidens so far?

 

[Markhor]

Warner gone. Anyone want to guess who dismissed him ?

 

[Rajdeep]

Lol 2 back to back wickets.

Broady on a hat trick

)

 

[Rajdeep]

Imagine Broad gets the hatrick with Smith's wicket

 

[Markhor]

Broad on one of his rolls.

No hat trick though.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

England getting a lot more movement with the ball than Australia did. Just like they moved the ball more in NZ than NZ bowlers and reversed the ball more in PAK than PAK bowlers .

 

[Rajdeep]

That was a poor shot by Labuschange. Fishing outside off stump ala Kohli style

 

[MP2011]

Awful awful decision from stokes.
It makes 0 cricket sense. In 4 overs the max you are going to get on that pitch is one wicket, which they could have got early in aus innings whenever it started.
Hope Aussies go big because it was an arrogant call from stokes.
The aim of test cricket is to win within 5 days , not 3.
393 is par and the Aussies will prove it today if they get through first hour.

Agree with this.

Didn't make any sense to declare this close to stumps.

And its not as if only tailenders were batting for England. Root was there and was in blazing form.

And for heaven's sake, it was just the first day!

 

[MP2011]

England getting a lot more movement with the ball than Australia did. Just like they moved the ball more in NZ than NZ bowlers and reversed the ball more in PAK than PAK bowlers .

This England team is very skillful in all disciplines.

Don't remember a time when England was so good in all formats.

Currently best cricketing nation by far.

 

[James]

Declaration talk is a bit moot now, because with these overhead conditions and bowling friendly clouds / humidity, he would have declared overnight anyway.

Two brilliant wickets to start things off. So funny the predictions that “Labu” would “bat all day”. Couldn’t even last 1 ball.

 

[James]

.

 

[Markhor]

That was a poor shot by Labuschange. Fishing outside off stump ala Kohli style

I didn't know this until now while scrolling on Twitter.

Marnus Labuschagne averages 70 at home and 39 away, with only one hundred outside Australia.

Hmm...

 

[Rajdeep]

I have not seen a batsman better than Smith. There is no weakness at all in his batting - compact defence, brilliant judgement on off stump, play with soft hands and a clutch player in big events.

Top class batsman.

 

[MP2011]

I didn't know this until now while scrolling on Twitter.

Marnus Labuschagne averages 70 at home and 39 away, with only one hundred outside Australia.

Hmm...

One of the most overrated and luckiest batsman ever.

 

[Rajdeep]

Harry Brook??

Tell me Stokes is trolling surely?
[MENTION=1842]James[/MENTION]

 

[sindhiboy]

lol, harry brook bowling

 

[MenInG]

 

[Nikhil_cric]

England getting the ball changed. There should be a limit on how often this can be done . Either make sure you play with a Test standard ball or just get on with it .

 

[Kroll]

Another wicket of big fish Smith, Bazball is working yaar, no problem.

 

[James]

The 2 players who were apparently going to comfortably bat all day and score 600 are gone.

 

[Rajdeep]

How was that ball hitting the wicket? Umpires call at the best but definitely not 3 reds.

Something fishy on the DRS

 

[Ahmed216]

The 2 players who were apparently going to comfortably bat all day and score 600 are gone.

Hahaha.. this was one of the gems from yesterday

 

[Kroll]

Smith is a busted flush, has been for a while.

 

[Markhor]

AUS badly need one of Travis Head's counterattacking innings.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Average swing yesterday - 0.5 degrees.
Today - 1 degree.

Swinging twice as much today.

 

[MenInG]

Lunch

 

[Kroll]

The 2 players who were apparently going to comfortably bat all day and score 600 are gone.

Hahaha.. this was one of the gems from yesterday

We were also getting told that the likes of Broad are mediocre in English conditions and the GOAT Indian attack of Shami, Siraj and Umesh is much better than England's.

 

[MenInG]

Ricky Ponting:

“I was very impressed. Their planning looked outstanding. There was a really good set-up to Labuschagne with a leg gully and a short mid-on, making him think the ball was going to come in only for it to be an out-swinger that he was drawn into playing at.

“England have made it really hard for Australia to score which is in stark contrast to when England were batting. Australia had lots of fielders out at deep square, deep point and England were able to rotate strike.

“You could argue that led to Warner’s dismissal. The scoreboard was going nowhere, the pressure built and Warner played a shot he probably wouldn’t have. England have been great.”

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pakistan fans should be the least surprised at this ruthless execution of England as they witnessed it against Pakistan in super friendly batting conditions.

 

[Ab Fan]

Travis Head is the best Australian batsman since Steven Smith.

 

[Kroll]

Some useful counterpunching by the Aussie batsmen.

 

[Kroll]

Gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!! get in!

 

[Champ_Pal]

Moeen bhai flukes a wicket.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Missed stumping by JB.

 

[sindhiboy]

this is just great captaincy and making the opposition crumble mentally.

 

[MenInG]

Moeen bhai flukes a wicket.

His name is Moeen Ali.

Thanks

 

[MenInG]

What a start to The Ashes - what a great advert for Test cricket.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Ball is gripping and turning a lot. Australia needs to get to 300 at least. Lyon will destroy England in 2nd innings.

 

[James]

Ball is gripping and turning a lot. Australia needs to get to 300 at least. Lyon will destroy England in 2nd innings.

Another sweeping prediction.


<b>Champ_Pal said:
Yesterday 17:59</b>
“Super flat pitch. Expect Labu and Smith score hundreds tomorrow.”


And your insightful comments about Stuart Broad

 

[sweep_shot]

This Ashes series should give us an indication whether or not Bazball is sustainable.

If England lose this series, it would prove that Bazball only works on flat/English pitches against average/weak sides.

Bazball's effectiveness can't be fully determined until England successfully try Bazball in India and against Aussies.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

This Ashes series should give us an indication whether or not Bazball is sustainable.

If England lose this series, it would prove that Bazball only works on flat/English pitches against average/weak sides.

Bazball's effectiveness can't be fully determined until England successfully try Bazball in India and against Aussies.

How many strategies are effective in Australia and India?

We need to be realistic and not hold Bazball to a higher standard than we expect of others.

Right now England are smashing games that they would have lost 2 years ago. To me thats enough of a success.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Another sweeping prediction.


<b>Champ_Pal said:
Yesterday 17:59</b>
“Super flat pitch. Expect Labu and Smith score hundreds tomorrow.”


And your insightful comments about Stuart Broad

England bowling is still ineffective. It might come good occasionally. But this current bowling attack is no good.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Effort ball from Broad is 78 mph

 

[Protea Fan]

Poms truly lacking a quality spinner

Ali and root are not sufficient in this sort of wicket

 

[Champ_Pal]

Match is in balance. Australia's session. I wish Head did not get out.

 

[James]

How many strategies are effective in Australia and India?

We need to be realistic and not hold Bazball to a higher standard than we expect of others.

Right now England are smashing games that they would have lost 2 years ago. To me thats enough of a success.

Spot on.

There has been some questioning and criticism of England declaring on 393-8 against Australia, which shows how far England have come in a sense, as I have no idea how long it’s been since England even got a score like that against Australia.

10 innings on the last tour and not a single England innings of even 300 was scored. Lol

I mean look at the state of this humiliation: (this was in the match when the Ashes were on the line) — what do people really expect England to do with the same players?

<b>Third Test</b>
26–30 December 2021
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

England

185 (65.1 overs)
Joe Root 50 (82)
Nathan Lyon 3/36 (14.1 overs)
&
68 (27.4 overs)
Joe Root 28 (59)
Scott Boland 6/7 (4 overs)

v
Australia
267 (87.5 overs)
Marcus Harris 76 (189)
James Anderson 4/33 (23 overs)

<b>Australia won by an innings and 14 runs</b>


England have made a huge improvement.

 

[MenInG]

TEA - Australia 188-4 (Green 21, Khawaja 84) - TRAIL BY 205

Khawaja is digging in for the tourists, with Green providing decent support at the other end.

 

[shaz619]

This series will be thrilling to say the least

 

[Champ_Pal]

Khwaja bhai needs to score a big century. If he scores 150, Australia will be in command.

Pitch is easy to bat.

 

[MenInG]

Khwaja bhai needs to score a big century. If he scores 150, Australia will be in command.

Pitch is easy to bat.

Similar from Nasser

Hussain: Australia should not fear new ball

"If I'm Australia, I am not scared of the new ball. When the new ball comes, it comes on to the bat quicker, disappears quicker. It might be an opportunity to up the run rate. Green and Khawaja should be looking to get to that new ball and then look for boundaries."

 

[Champ_Pal]

Jack Leach should have been picked in the playing XI. Ball is keeping slightly low and gripping. Poor selection by England.

 

[Markhor]

Jack Leach should have been picked in the playing XI. Ball is keeping slightly low and gripping. Poor selection by England.

Leach is injured.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Leach is injured.

Unlucky for England. He is a pretty good bowler. Moeen is not a like for like replacement for Leach.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Huge blow. Just when Australia seems to be running away with the game.

 

[Markhor]

Finally a breakthrough and it's Moeen who provides it. Big turn out of the footmark.

AUS really needed to avoid another wicket before the second new ball.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Australia are in trouble here.

Really need to get the lead down to under 100.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Brilliant century from Khwaja. Job is only half done for him though.

 

[Markhor]

That's one of Usman Khawaja's finest knocks. Showed some of the big guns in his team how to bat, and displayed that languid David Gower-esque elegance.

He averaged 17 in ENG before this Test and never scored a century - until now.

 

[Ahmed216]

Classical off spinners delivery from Moeen to get rid of Green. Reminds me of some of his scalps from 2013/14 series against India.

 

[LegendAli]

This series will be thrilling to say the least

It's the Ashes not some "series", show some respect.

 

[Protea Fan]

Match is evenly poised,no team is gonna take huge lead it seems

All depends upon how both play second innings

 

[Champ_Pal]

Just 130 behind now.

 

[shaz619]

It's the Ashes not some "series", show some respect.

The Ashes what exactly? what is the bit after that? hope the brain damage is not too bad

 

[shaz619]

That's one of Usman Khawaja's finest knocks. Showed some of the big guns in his team how to bat, and displayed that languid David Gower-esque elegance.

He averaged 17 in ENG before this Test and never scored a century - until now.

Has found a second wind in his career, happy for the bloke, not had it easy but is cashing in now

 

[LegendAli]

The Ashes what exactly? what is the bit after that? hope the brain damage is not too bad

Absoloutely amazed how you managed to change the subject, do you even know what Ashes are or this is your first year?

 

[Markhor]

Keep your foot behind the line...

 

[Champ_Pal]

England lead will be around 90 by the end of the day. Australia must make sure they will not lose any more wickets today.

 

[sweep_shot]

England lead will be around 90 by the end of the day. Australia must make sure they will not lose any more wickets today.

Aussies should look to score 500-550. They have a good chance of winning then.

I think Aussies should win the series. They are better than England.

 

[Saj]

These Aussies or so tough.

Even when under pressure they give nothing away and don't make it easy for the opposition.

 

[sweep_shot]

These Aussies or so tough.

Even when under pressure they give nothing away and don't make it easy for the opposition.

Indeed.

Best team of all time. Also, best team in present time.

 

[sweep_shot]

300 is up.

Australia - 304/5.

Just 89 runs behind now.

 

[MenInG]

13 no balls by England so far! Excessive and some problem am sure.

 

[Mamoon]

It is not a problem if Australia take a substantial lead here and win the Test. After all, winning and losing doesn’t matter to the Stokes/McCullum clown show - it is all about entertaining the crowd with funky tactics.

I am looking forward to the day they declare on 0/0. That will surely be entertaining.

 

[Champ_Pal]

This ball will lose all its shine in another 5 overs and it will be easy to score after that. Australia must not lose any more wickets today and it will be their day.

 

[MenInG]

 

[Saj]

Top order and main batters back in the pavilion but the Aussies hung in there.

This is why they produce champion teams - battle-hardened cricketers who are mentally tough and always make it tough for the other team.