Australia and England have been fighting for Ashes from 1882-83. They have played 72 Ashes series till date. They have started 73rd series on 16th June. In the first Test, England won the toss and elected to bat first. Australia bowlers saw England batsmen playing bazball cricket at full fledge. Ben Stokes shocked everyone by declaring at 393/8 on Day one. Australia have given a good reply on Day 2.
Joe Root scored 11,000 runs already in Test Cricket. He has hit his 30th Test Century in the first innings. Zak Crawley(61), Jonny Bairstow(78) scored fifties in less time. Australia bowlers struggled to control scoring. Nathan Lyon took 4 wickets by giving away 149 runs. Josh Hazlewood(2/61), Scott Boland(1/86) and Cameron Green(1/32) among bowlers. Joe Root scored 118 runs in 152 balls. England declared and Australia batted towards the end of the day 1.
England great Stuart Broad took 2 wickets back-to-back. Australia opener David Warner(9) got out again to Broad. Marnus Labuschagne(0) got duck out. Steven Smith(16) got out to Ben Stokes brilliant spell. Travis Head scored 50 in 63 balls and got out to Moeen Ali. Cameron Green(38) got screamer from Ali. Meanwhile Usman Khawaja completed his century. He scored 126 runs and is unbeaten. Alex Carey supported him by scoring 52 runs in 85 balls. Australia finished Day 2 by scoring 311/5.
Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey partnership for 6th wicket will be key for Australia reply on Day 3. England will like to get Australia all-out for less lead and score as much as they can in Day 3 and Day 4. Australia will look at Nathan Lyon to control England bazball aggression. The pitch is helping spinners and Moeen Ali has been exploiting it. This is another great start to Ashes rivalry.
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