Ashes 2017-18, 5th Test, Day 1, Review: Late wickets even out the day for Australia

Australia and England locked horns for one final time in the ongoing Ashes in Sydney at SCG in the New Year Test which is also called ‘Pink Test’. The visitors lost a couple of wickets in the last two overs to the new ball after batting superbly throughout the day. England captain Joe Root slammed yet another half-century as the find of the tour Dawid Malan continued in the same vein to keep Australia at bay. However, Australia came back stunningly in the final 10 minutes of the day and evened out the proceedings.

England handed over a debut to the young leg-spinner Mason Crane who replaced the injured Chris Woakes for the last match of the tour in whites. Australia, on the other hand, brought back their pace spearhead Mitchell Starc after missing him so badly in the Boxing Day Test. The start of the game was delayed due to persistent rain as the first session was washed away. Root called it correctly when the coin was flipped in the air for the fourth time in five matches and opted to bat first on a good pitch.

England top order throw away the start again

The openers Alastair Cook and Mark Stoneman started rather confidently on a surprisingly sunny day which had seen the rain through the morning. Both of them looked set for a good score with sublime shots through the line before the latter nicked one behind the stumps off Pat Cummins on 24. He once again lost his wicket after getting his eye in as James Vince joined the veteran, Cook. Again the duo blunted the Aussie attack which didn’t look up to the mark after the early burst.

Just when the session was going England’s way, the hosts struck a couple of meaty blows to take the honours. First. Vince unnecessarily wafted at an outside off-stump delivery and then the skipper Steve Smith excellently reviewed the lbw decision of the left-handed opener. Suddenly, the visitors were left wanting at 95/3 with the Tea break approaching fast.

Malan and Root resurrect

Dawid Malan and Joe Root got together then to resurrect the innings and played some beautiful strokes which were absolutely pleasing to the eyes. The latter especially was determined on the day and looked hungry to make an impact after failing to make so throughout the series. Slowly but steadily the shoulders of the Australians started to drop with the partnership reaching the three-figure mark in the final hour. Both of them notched up their respective half-centuries and the real challenge for Root begun.

He has been often guilty of failing to convert his fifties but was unflustered today. Malan, meanwhile, was let off twice uncharacteristically by the home side. The run-out chance was fluffed due to the poor throw from Tim Paine and then Smith failed to cling on at slip off Nathan Lyon. Barring a couple of blips, the left-hander looked assured in his 160-ball stay at the crease.

New ball turned things upside down

The day was completely going England’s way with only a couple of overs left for stumps and also the new ball was due. Starc looked pumped up right away and snaffled the opponent skipper Root on 83 who hit a harmless delivery straight to square leg. He was livid with himself after looking so good once again. Josh Hazlewood, then, swung the ball just enough in the final over of the day which Jonny Bairstow nicked to the keeper. The day eventually belonged to Australia with Malan left stranded at the other end as England finished on 233/5.

England would look up to Moeen Ali and the unbeaten Malan to take the team’s score beyond 300 and then hope to pick quick Aussie wickets. Australia though would be happier of the two teams courtesy the late wickets and would love to clean up the remaining batsmen soon on the second morning.

Brief Scores

England 233/5 (J Root 83, D Malan 55*; P Cummins 2/44, J Hazlewood 2/47)

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