Aussie comeback after Root steals the show with a thrilling ton on Day-1

Aussie comeback after Root steals the show with a thrilling ton on Day-1: Young English batsman Joe Root took higher honours by scoring a well deserved hundred on day one of the first Investec Ashes Test Match at Cardiff. Joe Root got to this feat in only 118 balls to score the fifth fastest ton of Ashes history. But a late Aussie comeback to grab crucial breakthroughs at the last hour left the game evenly poised at the end of day one.

With England getting 343-7 in 88 overs, Moeen Ali (27*) and Stuart Board (0) were unbeaten at the crease.

Australia was made to pay for dropping Joe Root when he was yet to score, as England’s rising star motored to get a century on day one. This was his second Ashes ton overall in his third Ashes series. Root was lucky to still be there after being dropped by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off the bowling of Mitchell Starc when he was yet to open his account.

The Yorkshire lad Joe Root (134) combined with Gary Ballance (61) to rescue the English innings after the Australian bowlers put the host tangling at 43-3. The duo added 153 for the fifth wicket before the England number 3 was plumped in front on a Josh Hazlewood delivery.

Batting first, England has the worst possible start as opener Adam Lyth playing his debut Ashes game was outclassed by a swinging delivery from Hazlewood at third slip.

Skipper Alastair Cook started of carefully seeing off the new ball with the talented Gary Ballance accompanying him at the crease. Cook was caught behind by off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who was brought on early under overcast skies, with the Sofia Gardens pitch failing to produce much bounce for the pace bowlers.

Starc also got into the act as the left arm pacer trapped veteran England batsman Ian Bell LBW for 1 with a trademark in-swinger.

Ben Stokes (52) who joined Root in the wicket started off in his own merry ways, rotating the strike as well as hitting the odd boundaries at regular intervals. The talented all-rounder was cleaned by Mitchell Starc for 52 just before the new ball was due.

Jose Buttler (27) and Moeen Ali (26*) then stood up to get a 50 run stand to take the English innings forward. Just when the duo were started looking dangerous, Buttler was undone by Hazlewood as the wicketkeeper batsman chips a swinging ball to Johnson’s palm at mid-on.

Later Moeen Ali and Stuart Board saw off the last 13 balls and ensured no further damage is caused to the host.

For the Aussies, pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc were the stand out performers claiming three wickets each. Offie Nathan Lyon bowled well but was unlucky to get a single wicket.

While last Ashes hero Mitchell Johnson struggled to get his act right and looked rusty in the process. If one goes by what one saw during the opening day’s play from Johnson – he has the pace, often hitting 90mph but the menace seems to have gone out of his bowling. But then you have to factor in the slowness of the pitch as well. At times Clarke was seen shaking his head and bowing down in disappointment as to what he saw from Johnson.

Brief Score:

England: 343/7 in 88 overs (Joe Root 134, Gary Ballance 61, Hazlewood 3-70)