David Warner set up the Australian innings with 94 runs while Travis Head extended the lead with an unbeaten century
David Warner set up the innings with a 94-run chance and Travis Head followed a mini-fall in the middle order with an unbeaten century to guide Australia to a 2 day, 196-run lead at 343-7 at stumps. Ashes series opener.
Warner got a big relief for 17 runs off a no-ball from Ben Stokes, the England all-rounder overstepped several times but was called up for one of the few. Warner was also dropped for 48 in the slips and escaped a run out as he returned to his crease after scoring 60 runs.
But he ran out of luck after sharing a 156-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne (74) for the second wicket and 23 with Steve Smith (12) for the third, finally after a tea break when Ollie Robinson continued to play. Took two wickets with a delivery.
Robinson caught Warner at cover of Stokes and then bowled Cameron Green, who did not play a shot at his off-stump, in a period when Australia slipped from 189-2 to 195-5.
New wicket-keeper Alex Carey successfully blocked a hat-trick, his first delivery in Test cricket, but was dismissed for 12 as England trailed the Aussies at 236-6.
Head and captain Pat Cummins combined in a 70-run partnership to restore Australia’s dominance on the first two days at the Gabba, adding to the scoring as England’s fielding deteriorated.
The partnership ended when England captain Joe Root caught Cummins at leg slip and took the wicket of his counterpart.
Head continued with Mitchell Starc and was on 96 when he attempted to sweep Root, injured his arm and failed to reach Burns as the ball fell down the leg-side.
He completed his century in 85 balls with the new ball in the first over with a boundary off Chris Woakes, an innings which included 12 fours and two sixes.
Mark Wood’s head fell from a full-toss when he was on 105, put on gloves and helmet before falling to the ground, but was dismissed for an unbeaten 112 at stumps.
Ben Stokes’ no-ball spree and Warner’s survival
Warner’s survival and Stokes’ delivery stride were the two main discussion points on Thursday.
Warner got his first respite from a TV umpire after being beaten by Stokes, who bowled his first over in a Test match since March.
TV broadcaster channel 7 showed that Stokes had also crossed the crease in his last three deliveries and was not called by the umpires. The Ashes broadcaster later revealed that Stokes had crossed the front crease 14 times in the opening session of the second day and was called for no-balls only twice.
Cricket Australia said a technical problem at the Gabba meant that the third umpire, Paul Wilson, could not review TV replays of every delivery, calling for a call to check whether bowlers were stepping over the crease. Leaves to on-field umpires. ,
Robinson returned the best figures for England bowlers, taking 3–48 in 18 overs on an extended second day, and also given a chance.
Left-arm spinner Jack Leach took the crucial wicket of Labuschagne, but was otherwise penalized by the Australian batting lineup and came back 1-95 in 11 overs.
Stokes was confined to only nine overs and conceded 50 runs, which appeared to be struggling with his fitness when he bowled late with the old ball.
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