Australia v England, 4th Test, Day 1 - 5 Talking Points

After some initial explosion, Australia somehow lost track for a while and if it had not been for Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh, they would’ve faltered. That one sentence really sums up the entire day’s play to be fair. David Warner absolutely smoked the bowlers apart to all sides of the ground to bring up his 21st Test century.

Despite running riot in the first session, Australia managed to score just 142 runs in the next two sessions. Warner is a sort of player who can really make a difference on these type of tracks and that is exactly what happened here. On a very difficult track to bat with the old ball, he demolished the bowlers just the way he does normally.

English bowlers can make themselves feel good about their performance in the last two sessions. But they are lagging behind in the game big time and Australia has their eyes set on a total over 450. They need early wickets on Day 2 to bow out with some dignity in the game. But with two in form players in Shaun Marsh and Steve Smith at the middle, it seems highly unlikely to happen.

Here are the five talking points from the first day at Melbourne.

1. Warner smacks his 21st century

David Warner is now on the joint 10th in the list of batsmen with most centuries for Australia. He is one behind his skipper Steve Smith and is on level terms with Neil Harvey and David Boon. It was treat for the humongous crowd that turned up at the MCG on this special eve as he thumped the bowlers without showing any signs of respect. He was dismissed after scoring a breathtaking 103 off 151 balls, which included 13 fours and a six.

2. Old ball doing the damage

With the ball getting softer, batsmen really found it difficult to find comfort in the middle. The pitch came in for no assistance to the Aussies as well, which helped the visitors finish day 1 on a decent note. Stuard Broad, James Anderson, and Chris Woakes picked up a wicket each and clearly, they should’ve put in more effort.

3. Rough day for Moeen Ali

With Ben Stokes getting sidelined, Moeen Ali was the talking point before the commencement of the series. But as it turned out, the all-rounder had a horrendous campaign thus far. Much to the disappointment for his management, his off-breaks didn’t receive any respiteful treatment. He conceded at 5.8 an over whilst no other bowler conceded at over 3 per over.

4. Smith and Marsh – Yet again!

Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh have battled their way through the final session and it was their brilliance that averted a breakthrough for Root and company. Smith is inching closer towards the 6,000 run-mark in Tests and the lad has already brought up his 22nd fifty. Shaun Marsh has had an outstanding Ashes this time is batting brilliantly on 31 currently. It won’t come in as a surprise if these guys stitch a mammoth stand from here on.

5. Dream debut for Tom Curran

Cricket News: Melbourne Cricket Ground, a Boxing Day Test match against the arch rivals and a packed house. Hard to ask for a better occasion to make a debut and Tom Curran had the previlege to make get his maiden cap on this momentous day. The lanky fast bowler found it a little difficult initially, but he did have some good spells to boost his confidence.