The Ashes 2017-18, 1st Test: Australia thrash England by 10 wickets; Steven Smith adjudged Player of the Match

Australia made as many as six changes in the playing XI. Cameron Bancroft made his debut. Tim Paine played a Test after 7 years. Mitchell Starc played international cricket after June. Usman Khawaja was benched throughout India series, picked for the first Test against Bangladesh, and dropped for the last one. England, on the hand, had three batsmen who averaged below 30: Mark Stoneman, James Vince, and Dawid Malan. In short both teams had chinks in their armour, and the prediction for the first Test of 2017-18 Ashes had become a brainer.

The track at Gabba favoured the bowlers. Australia, however, squandered on the opening day, bowling short unnecessarily. After dismissing Alastair Cook for a mere 2, Australia let the newcomers Mark Stoneman and James Vince off the hook. The duo added 125 runs for the second wicket before Pat Cummins bowled an absolute ripper to dismantle Stoneman’s defence. Although Vince continued the good work, Nathan Lyon’s direct throw eluded him a well-deserved hundred. To make matters worse, Australia soon sent captain Joe Root packing to end the day on a high.

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Malan and Moeen Ali repelled Australia in the morning session of Day Two, adding 73 for the fifth wicket. The momentum, nonetheless, swung towards Australia as Lyon had the last roar: he trapped Moeen lbw with the one that holds its line. England were lucky that Jake Ball and Stuart Broad used their long handles towards the end, scoring 34 runs between them to take the score past 300.

Australia did not have the best of starts, either. Broad outfoxed the debutant Bancroft for 5. Khwaja, too, could not provide the much needed impetus. All the same, the captain and his deputy — Smith and Warner — steadied the ship and saw Australia through the new ball. Had Warner not played across the line, England would have been in further trouble; he went for 26. There was another double blow for Australia, as Anderson made Peter Handscomb his first prey of 2017-18 Ashes.

In came Shaun Marsh to join Steven Smith in resurgence. The scorecard read 76 for 4. Smith, who had been taking the defensive approach, forced the Englishmen to bowl on his pads. As Smith scored runs, his confidence rubbed off on Marsh: they stitched up 99 runs for the fifth wicket.

Thanks to Anderson that England bounced back. He removed Marsh and Paine in quick succession. Mitchell Starc gave his all to to accompany his captain to bring Australia back into the contest, but he fell in the same over that he hit a spectacular six over long-off. However,resurgence 2.0 came from Cummins. The 66-run stand between Smith and him frustrated England. Smith, as has been the case for the past 2 years, scored a century — his 21st in the format. Australia were eventually bowled out for 328, taking a lead of 26 runs.

England yet again had a torrid start. The tired and exhausted Cook failed to execute a hook shot, while the in-form Vince edged one to Smith in the slip cordon. England ended Day Three at 33 for 2.

Day Four belonged to Australia. England were bundled out for a paltry score of 195. Starc, Hazlewood, and Lyon took three-wicket halls. Australia were set a target of 170 runs.

The chase could not have been easier for Australia. Openers Warner and Bancroft remained unbeaten on 82 and 87 respectively to help Australia take 1-0 lead.

Although the margin of victory looks massive, the game was closely contested.

Brief scores:

England 302 (Mark Stoneman 53, James Vince 83; Mitchell Starc 3 for 77, Pat Cummins 3 for 85) & 195 (Joe Root 51; Josh Hazlewood 3 for 46, Mitchell Starc 3 for 51) lost to Australia 328 (Steven Smith 141*, Shaun Marsh 51; Stuart Broad  3 for 49) by & 173 for 0 (Cameron Bancroft 82*, David Warner 87*) by 10 wickets.

Player of the Match: Steven Smith

Full scorecard