England vs Australia, 2nd Test, Day 1 - Talking Points

Australia won the toss and opted to bat first on what looked like a pitch which would assist seam bowling. David Warner announced his form with a brisk 66 but fell to Josh Tongue playing for the first time against Australia who was the pick of the bowlers getting rid of both the openers until Root’s exploits in the 75th over. Josh Tongue was impressive in his first Ashes Test and managed to dismiss both the openers, but Smith and Labuschagne steadied the ship and stitched a crucial partnership.

Australia were 190/2 at tea with Labuschagne and Smith bringing up their 100-run partnership losing Labuschagne soon afterwards as Ollie Robinson got a nick off the Aussie number 3’s bat to the keeper. Smith though kept playing his usual strokes getting the best of the poor deliveries to bring up his 38th Test half-century. Travis Head joined him at 5 and quickly outscored him once he got his eyes set on the ball and brought up his 15th half century in the format getting there in just 48 balls.

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Joe Root inflicted damage to Australia in the final session of play taking 2 big wickets in an over, sending back Travis Head (77) and Cameron Green (0) back in the space of 4 balls but not before Head and Smith had added 118 runs for the fourth wicket. We’ve had a brilliant opening day at Lord’s cricket ground with Australia scoring 339/5. Steven Smith is unbeaten on 85 and will face the first ball on Day 2 alongside wicketkeeper Alex Carey. England will come hard at the Aussies on the 2nd day of the highly anticipated Test match.