Ashes 2023: 2nd Test Day 1 – Review

Ashes 2023 2nd Test Day 1 Review

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Amidst the talk of Bazball and aggression from England, it was Australia who picked up the series lead in the first Test. The fact that Australia got out of jail to go 1-0 up hurt England more. They were expected to level up their game in the second Test and come back hard at Australia.

Tactics and changes:

The visitors though keen on ruining England’s well-laid-out plans appeared calm ahead of the second Test. Both sides made one change apiece. England brought in seamer Josh Tongue for Moeen Ali. Australia drafted Mitchell Starc for Scott Boland. The home side won the toss and put Australia into bat under overcast conditions at Lords.

Ashes 2023 2nd Test Day 1 Review We review the opening day’s play of the 2nd Test:

#1 England fail to utilize the advantage

Ben Stokes wanted his new ball bowlers to seize the early initiative as the conditions were quite helpful. England bowlers though failed to insert early pressure and let the Aussie openers especially David Warner off the hook. It was only at the stroke of lunch that Tongue removed a tentative Usman Khawaja. Despite losing that wicket, Australia who strolled to 73-1 won the opening session.

#2 The Smith-Labuschagne show

Soon after lunch, Tongue removed Warner and he had him bowled too. England would have wanted to exert control. But Steve Smith appeared to have found his gear immediately. He raced away to 20 off 14 balls as England bowlers kept searching vehemently for his wicket. The pair in their usual fashion went about nudging singles and twos. They picked up boundaries at will too. Australia walked into Tea with a firm grip on the proceedings.

#3 Head continues to vow with his ‘Bazball’ brilliance

Ollie Robinson who looked out of sorts for large parts of the day removed Labuschagne immediately after tea. England resorted to the short ball tactic to unsettle Travis Head. But in a matter of a couple of overs, Head started dictating terms. He cut, drove, and pulled with authority. England started leaking runs. Head continued to be aggressive against all bowlers. He soon overtook Smith’s score and set himself up for a big knock.

#4 Joe Root’s unexpected moment of genius

Head threatened to take down Joe Root in his second over. Root kept it tight and tempted Head to do something fancy. In a moment of adrenaline overdose, Head stepped down to Root. The off-spinner smartly bowled it away from the left-hander. Jonny Bairstow effected a smart stumping. Little did anyone know that two balls later, Cameroon Green will gift-wrap his wicket to England. In a space of two balls, Root bowled England back into the game.

#5 Who’s day was it then?

It was undoubtedly Australia’s day at the end of day 1. Put into bat under bowling-friendly conditions, Australia will be pleased with 339-5. They have a rock-steady Steve Smith still at the crease. Australia will look to target a score of 500. England on the other hand has a lot of work to do. It will in all certainty be the biggest test of their bazball theory.