The first match of the Ashes Test series between Australia and England ended in just 141.1 overs, with Australia registering a spectacular win.
SNPNEWS.IN News (Gurmail Kamboj): The first match of the 5-Test Ashes series between Australia and England was played at the Optus Stadium in Australia. The match concluded on the very second day with Australia’s dominant victory.
England captain won the toss and elected to bat first – a decision that proved completely wrong due to Mitchell Starc’s devastating bowling spell of 7/58 (12.5 overs). In the first innings, apart from Harry Brook (52 off 61), Ollie Pope (46 off 58), and Jamie Smith (33 off 22), the rest of the England batsmen put up an ordinary show. As a result, England were bowled out for just 172 in 32.5 overs.
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Chasing England’s 172 in their first innings, Australia could manage only 132 in 45.2 overs. Alex Carey (26 off 26), Cameron Green (24 off 50), and Travis Head (21 off 35) were the notable contributors for Australia. Thanks to a brilliant bowling performance led by Ben Stokes (5/23 in 6 overs) and the rest of the England bowling unit, Australia finished 40 runs behind England.
In their second innings, England scored 164 in 34.4 overs before being all out, setting Australia a victory target of 205 runs. Gus Atkinson (37 off 32), Ollie Pope (33 off 57), and Ben Duckett (28 off 40) were the main scorers, while the rest of the team disappointed the England fans once again. Australia’s Scott Boland took 4/33 in 11.4 overs in this innings.
Australia started their chase with the opening pair of Travis Head (123 off 83) and Jake Weatherald (23 off 34). The duo added 75 runs in just 11.2 overs and put England on the back foot right from the start. After the first wicket fell, Marnus Labuschagne (51* off 49) joined Head and the pair put on 117 runs in 15.2 overs, virtually sealing the victory for Australia.
England’s only success in the second innings came through Brydon Carse, who took 2/44 in 5.2 overs. Australia chased down the 205-run target in just 28.2 overs, losing only 2 wickets, and won the match comprehensively.
England’s bowling looked completely ineffective against Australia’s batting in the second innings, due to which the first match of the series ended on the second day itself after a total of 141.1 overs. Australia take a 1–0 lead in the series.