Ashes 2021, The Gabba: A one-sided victory for the host as they smacked England with a nine wickets victory. Travis Head has adjourned the Man of the Match for his 150 runs innings.
England failed to deliver the promise at the toss deciding to bat first. Straight away from the first ball, Mitchell Starc pushed the visitors on the back foot with the hilarious wicket of Rory Burns, who was bowled round the legs.
It was then just strong domination from Australia. Picking up three wickets inside the six overs. What was more important is that Joe Root went for a duck of Josh Hazlewood’s accurate line and length.
The star of the show joined the party with Ben Stokes wickets. He completely his five-wicket haul totally outbursting England tail. He led from the front and was helped by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood’s two wickets.
The partnership between Jos Buttler and Ollie Pope became a vital one for England to move to a respectable score. However, Cameron Green takes his first Test wicket of Ollie Pope. A small cameo from Chris Woakes wasn’t enough to take England past 150 runs.
In reply, Australia ramped up a mammoth score. Their innings was led by Travis Head who was batting at a strike rate of 102.70. Mitchell Starc added a small but useful addition to take Australia to 425 runs.
After a cheap wicket of Marcus Haris in the sixth over, David Warner and Marnus Labuschangne build a 156 runs partnership to put a stop to the comeback for England. The left-hand opener just much a century.
What made this score possible was the run rate at which the Hosts were playing. A controversy sparked up when it came to light that Ben Stokes in total bowled 18 no-balls but only four were given. What was the third umpire doing?
Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood picked three wickets each while Chris Woakes picked two. The left-arm spinner Jack Leach was expensive with 7.85’s economy picked up one wicket. The skipper had to bowl six overs and pick up the Australian skipper’s wicket.
Second Innings saw a bit more resilience, but Australia’s first-innings lead was too much. Unlike the first innings, England managed to pass the first six overs unharmed. However, Australia stayed patient and were rewarded.
The fight was on from Joe Root and Dawid Malan’s partnership of 162 runs. Malan was the first to lose his temper. Trying to advance down the track and flick it but only managed to get the inside edge onto the pads and an easy catch for Labuschagne at Silly Point. This was a golden moment for Nathan Lyon as he completes his 400 Test Wickets. He is just the seventh spinner to do so in Test Cricket history.
Back to the game, Nathan Lyon was proving a nightmare for England. After Root‘s wickets at 229, it was a collapse. Lyon led the collapse with four wickets. Two each for the skipper, Pat Cummins, and Cameron Green. While Starc and Hazlewood picked only one each.
Lose by an innings was on the radar for England. However, England tied the score crawling and crouching. However, they couldn’t go too far challenging the Host with the target of 20 runs.
It took only five overs and one ball for Australia to take the Test and lead 1-0. Ollie Robinson was able to pick Alex Carey’s wicket but it was a shameful target to even try.
England has to regroup and think about its strategy. Jos Buttler needs to bat up the order to give a much-needed experience to the batting lineup. Moeen Ali or Adil Rashid is required in place of Jack Leach who was unimpressive with the ball.
On the contrary, Australia are balanced and now only need to stay on their feet. That’s all!
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