David Warner (95), Marnus Labuschagne (95*) fifties take Australia to 221-2 on Day 1 of Adelaide Test.
Brief Scores: Australia 221 for 2 (Labuschagne 95*, Warner 95, Broad 34/1) against England at Stumps on Day 1
The second match of the prestigious Ashes Test series started today at Adelaide Oval. After a huge defeat in the first Test at Gabba, England are eager to equalise the Test series by winning this pink ball Test.
Anderson, Broad return to England fold; Steven Smith leading Australia in absence of Pat Cummins
Experienced pace duo James Anderson and Stuart Board returned in English eleven, whereas speedster Mark Wood and spinner Jack Leach missed out from the day-night Test match.
Hosts also made two changes in their eleven. Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson replaced skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood respectively. Cummins has been advised seven-day isolation due to COVID scare which resulted in Steven Smith leading the Australian contingent for the first time after the 2018 Sandpaper Gate. Hazlewood was ruled out of the Test due to a side strain. Right-arm pacer Richardson replaced Hazelwood in the eleven and bowling all-rounder Neser made his Test debut due to the absence of Cummins.
Australia won the toss and chose to bat first
Australia skipper Steven Smith won the toss and opted to bat first on a green pitch at Adelaide Oval.
England pacers James Anderson and Stuart Broad bowled threatening spells to Australia openers with the new ball. The pacers beat openers David Warner and Marcus Harris several times with their swing and bouncy deliveries in the first few overs. Marcus Harris survived a huge LBW appeal from Broad. England captain Joe Root took a review but the replay showed the ball missing leg stump, so visitors lost a review.
However in the next over of Broad, Harris played a pull shot and the ball took the fine edge of the bat and wicketkeeper Buttler took a stunning catch to send Harris to the pavilion. Read More: Aus vs Eng: 1st Test, Ashes 2021-22: Cummins-led Aus reclaim Fortress Gabba; beat Eng by 9 wickets
David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne make anxious start but consolidate well to lend solidity to Australia innings
Second opener David Warner also suffered a few close appeals. He smacked the first boundary of his innings after 82 balls. Both batters, Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, played intimidating bowling spells of Anderson, Broad and Ben Stokes cautiously. After 25 overs, umpires took a dinner break in this D/N Test match. Most successful England bowler from the previous game, Ollie Robinson started the second session along with Anderson.
Warner and Labuschagne smacked occasional boundaries after taking some time on the pitch. Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler dropped a valuable catch of Labuschagne on the score of 21 off a delivery bowled by Stokes.
Both batters completed individual half-centuries
Warner hammered two boundaries in an over bowled by Stokes and completed his 32nd fifty in 108 deliveries. As England bowlers didn’t get any wicket after the dinner break, captain Joe Root brought all-rounder Chris Woakes to bowl. In the meantime, Warner and Labuschagne completed a 100-run partnership for the second wicket. Labuschagne got beaten a few times before completing his fifty in 156 balls. The youngster has shown phenomenal consistency in his short Test career to register his 12th fifty.
Warner, Labuschagne put up a huge partnership of 172 runs on board
England captain Joe Root tried all his bowling options including himself to take a wicket but was left with empty hands in the second session. Warner and Labuschagne freed their hands after completing individual fifties. They completed a 150-run partnership in the third session of the day. Warner was near his century, however, one of attacking strokes went straight into the hands of Broad at cover. He amassed 95 runs off 167 balls with the help of 11 boundaries.
Labuschagne continued to milk runs and reached the nervous-nineties, where he was dropped by Buttler on 95 off the bowling of Anderson which left the English contingent in agony. Labuschagne got beaten a few times again, before umpires called stumps on the first day of the Test. Australia scored 221 runs after losing two wickets on the whole day.
What to expect on Day 2
Hosts will try to put up a huge score of around 400 to 500 to put their opponents out of the game in the Adelaide Test, whereas visitors will try to knock down the middle-order of Australia to bundle them out below 300.
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