Australia vs England 1st Test Day 1: Australia fight back after Vince’s 83

Posted on by
Pat Cummins Australia England Ashes cricket

Pat Cummins spearheaded Australia’s counter-attack by taking out Mark Stoneman and Joe Root

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia fought back brilliantly on the first day of the Ashes as they took three wickets in relatively quick time after England batsman James Vince frustrated them with a career-best knock of 83.

Choosing to bat first, England made a disastrous start to the series as opener Alastair Cook was caught by Peter Handscomb at first slip off the bowling of Mitchell Starc for two runs in the third over.

Despite losing Cook early on, England remained unfazed as Vince and Mark Stoneman began the rebuilding process, which was interrupted during the lunch break as the rain came.

However, once conditions improved, the duo not only kept Australia’s bowlers at bay, but put England firmly in the driver’s seat as they amassed a 125-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries.

Mark Stoneman half-century England Australia Ashes cricket

Mark Stoneman struck his second half-century in Test cricket

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

However, soon after bringing up his fifty, Stoneman was clean bowled by Pat Cummins for a career-best 53, which came off 159 balls and included three boundaries.

Vince, who was beginning to up the ante, saw his time at the crease come to an end when he was run out by Nathan Lyon for 83, which came off 170 deliveries and included 12 boundaries.

James Vince fifty England Australia Ashes cricket

James Vince scored his maiden Test fifty

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England continued to sink further as captain Joe Root was trapped lbw off the bowling of Cummins for 15. Root was not given out initially, but Australia skipper Steve Smith called for a review, which worked in his side’s favour as replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and smashing into middle stump.

With the hosts on a roll, Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali ensured England did not lose anymore wickets as they put together an unbeaten 33-run stand before bad light brought proceedings to an end for the day

Malan finished on 28 off 64 balls, which included six boundaries, while Moeen remained undefeated on 13 off 31 deliveries, which included a six.

Cummins was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Starc claimed one.

England ended day one on 196/4 and will continue batting on Friday at 10:00 local time or 00:00 GMT.

Leave a Reply