Published: Jul 28, 2023, 05:58 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 28, 2023, 06:31 PM (IST)
AUSTRALIA will be mighty pleased with how things are going in the 5th Ashes Test. The Pat Cummins-led side first bowled out England for 283 before putting themselves in a strong position at Lunch on Day 2.
Australia are 115-2, trailing England by 168 runs. Ben Stokes’ team did not have much success in the first session apart from the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne who was sent packing courtesy of a stunning catch by Joe Root.
Mark Wood bowled a delivery that got Marnus edge one to Joe Root at slip. It was not an easy catch as the ball seemed to be going between keeper Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root. However, Root was alert and dived to his right, plucking a blinder and leaving Marnus Labuschagne stunned. The Aussie departed for a scratchy nine in 82 balls.
England were deprived of a win in the 4th Test after rain washed out significant time out of the game. The draw meant that England’s hopes of winning the Ashes were swept away. Australia are the current holder of the Ashes and will retain the urn, irrespective of the outcome of the 5th Test.
The series against Australia was a real Test for England’s ‘Bazball’ approach and the hosts got mixed results. England scored runs at a brisk pace but they collapsed far too often to get bowled out far away from a safe score. It is fair to say that Australia were not too hurt by ‘Bazball’ as they successfully managed to stop England from posting big scores.
Australia’s batting wasn’t up to the mark either but with England posting just two 350+ scores in nine innings, Australia were never too far behind the game and all they needed was one big inning to take them home.
Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne scored hundreds for Australia in the series and gave them a 2-1 lead. England, had they got a few more runs, had they been a bit more patient, the results might have been different.
The Ashes have given England a reality check about the ‘Bazball’ and the ‘Three Lions’ will have to take a call if they want to play bold and rigid or if they are flexible enough to modify the game as per the situation. This is the beginning of a new WTC cycle and England will be keen to make their first final appearance, but they have plenty of puzzles to solve.
