There’s no better way to start the world test championship with the most watched and exciting test series there is currently, The Ashes. England versus Australia. Edgbaston,Birmingham set the scene for the latest series which started with less than three weeks after England claimed their first World Cup.There is no time to relax .The Hollies stand was in full voice on the first morning.
Back came all three culprits of the “sandpaper” crisis for Australia.Whilst Cameron Bancroft and David Warner had more forgettable comebacks, the ex-skipper was on a total different platform.Steven Smith known as “Smudge” has always thrived in the test format.Long gone are the days when he started at no 8 spot as a leg spinner.
His eye is amazing on the ball.He has so much time and can manoeuvre the ball easily to any part.Unconventional and ritualistic is his style.The ability he has to play almost every ball making sure it doesn’t hit his pad shows the advantage he has with being so fidgety.He would have all day to come outside off and nudge it across the leg sides.He whipped and dragged his way to a pair of 140’s in this test.It was breath taking and game changing.
Smith in both innings simply took the game away.Australia were teetering at 122/8 on day one but managed 284 largely thanks to him. With scores level in the third, Smith and Matthew Wade combined to set the game adrift.Both scored tons en route a mammoth second innings score of 487! Steve Smith now has 25 tons as he became the fifth Aussie to score a ton in each innings of an Ashes test.
Earlier on,England took a lead of 90 on first innings. Whilst Rory Burns trawled through his maiden 100 to keep England competing, Australia came back on the third day taking wickets before the long Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes’ vigil that provided the hosts with that lead.Joe Root scored 57.
The target to win was 398.It looked immense,especially for a final day pitch which was low, slow and taking spin.Enter, Nathan Lyon aka Gary. He was sublime in the turning track and added to his tally which stands now at 352 wickets. He went through England like a raging bull in a ring.The hosts had no chance and succumbed at 146. It was a 251 run loss and the end to the Aussie losing streak at Edgbaston since 2001.
One thing that the Ashes doesn’t need is poor umpiring. After the World Cup issues, surely the elite panel has to improve in the quality of umpiring.Both Joel Wilson and Aleem Dar had horrible performances. Even with the DRS, it wasn’t a saving grace.The numbers at the back of the player’s shirts are also very irritating.
It’s becoming clear that Aussies will be in position of strength if the wickets continue like this ….slow flat tracks which offer minimal movement. England will struggle if the Dukes ball doesn’t do much minus day one. In Matthew Wade Aussies have a strong number 6 and although Bancroft is back in the team there is scope for Marcus Harris to come back .Otherwise I won’t expect any changes at Lord’s .
England on the other hand lost not only the game but Jimmy Anderson after four overs. That itself was the cost of this game. Even though Jofra Archer is in form a possible replacement in the line up, it will be his first test only. Their inability to play spin will also be daunting for them in chases whilst Moeen Ali is clearly struggling both with bat and ball.
Ashes cricket is superb and entertaining though,and expect plenty more thrills in this five test series.For now, its full steam ahead to Lord’s and the home of the cricket.
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