I seen the first day of the Ashes Test with England and Australia battling fierce. Momentum kept swinging back and forth. England ultimately gained the upper hand. Joe Root scored a resilient century, his first ever in Australia. England propelled to 325-9 at close. Australia has much to ponder for Friday.
I saw England’s innings begin shakily. But Root’s masterful knock of 135 ensured a total. Mark Archer surged late with 32 runs. Mitchell Starc took five wickets for Australia. He surpassed Wasim Akram as leading left-arm fast bowler. Starc told reporters it was a tough day’s cricket. He said Joe batted well there.
Root’s innings was a long-awaited triumph. Ram Sridhar emailed that he was happy for Root. He said Root seized the last fortress with gleaming feather. Australia have let England get away on Day 1. He wasn’t gonna jinx it further. This century is Root’s 40th in Tests. He places fourth all-time behind Ponting, Kallis, Tendulkar.
Zac Crawley made 48 runs for England. He had a newly shaved head. Crawley said he was trying to keep it simple. He was happy with his knock but gutted to get out. The pitch just starting to get flatter. He had a clear plan and stuck to it. He aimed to score on the leg side. He left the ball better outside off. The wicket was shaved that morning. It made a good surface to bat on.
Australia rotated their bowlers for breakthroughs. Matthew Hayden had a bet with Greg Blewett. He was relieved to avoid walking naked at the MCG. Hayden called it a magnificent day. Root looked great, keeping the ball close under his eyes. It sets England up, Root up. It puts Australia on the back foot. Hayden was disappointed with no spinner and slow over rate.
I witnessed the final session flurry from Archer. He struck some lusty blows to the boundary. Root also joined in, reverse-sweeping Boland for a six. These runs ensured Australia didn’t bat under lights. Duncan Harte emailed about the thrilling rearguard blitz.
Ben Stokes was run out for 19. A mix-up with Root caused it. Stokes ran when there was no run. A fabulous throw by Inglis sealed his fate. This was the first time in over 50 years an England captain run out against Australia. Ted Dexter was the last, back in 1962-63.
There was controversy too. Australia reviewed a decision when Boland hit Root’s pad. The review failed because the ball would bounce over leg stump.
Michael Vaughan spoke with Mitchell Starc. Starc has more wickets than Wasim Akram. Starc said Wasim is still the pinnacle left armer. He thinks Wasim is better. He described the pink ball as like a white ball, a bit soft today.
England hopes to capitalize on their strong finish. Australia aims to wrap up the innings quickly. England enters Friday on top. They have runs in the bag. The last wicket stand is aflame. Joe Root has his deserved hundred in Australia.
The Gabba pitch, it were behaving odd sometimes, a few balls holding in the surface early. I heard a couple batters mention the light seemed different this year, maybe that’s why. Starc and the others, they found some movement but the consistent pressure wasn’t always there from Australia. An interesting day for sure.
