Ashes 2023: Play of the day from ENG vs AUS Test, Day 2

The action continued in the Ashes 2023 on Day 2 of the first Test as Australia resumed their innings on 14/0. After Australia batted cautiously for a few overs early in the day, England struck with double blows as Stuart Broad dismissed David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne off consecutive deliveries. Following the two quick dismissals, England’s nemesis Steve Smith walked to the crease and once again looked confident of notching up a big score against his second-favourite opposition after India.

Smith and Khawaja added 38 runs for the third wicket and looked threatening at the crease. Seeing Smith set for a big score, captain Ben Stokes brought himself on and managed to trap him in front of the stumps in his second over. On-field umpire Marais Erasmus raised his finger after contemplating for some seconds.

Ben Stokes conjures up a special moment there to get rid of Steve Smith #Ashes23 #BenStokes

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— Anand Datla 🇮🇳 (@SportASmile) June 17, 2023

Unhappy with the decision, Smith reviewed it but much to his misfortune, he got three reds on ball tracking and hence the decision stood out. He departed for 16 as England got a huge success on the stroke of lunch.  

After losing Smith, Travis Head (50 off 63) and Usman Khawaja stabilized the innings with their 81-run stand for the fourth wicket. Head got dismissed getting caught at mid-wicket against Moeen Ali. However, Khawaja continued his brilliant knock and brought up his half-century.

Broad brought the Edgbaston crowd alive with his double-wicket over

Earlier, Stuart Broad bought the Edgbaston crowd alive as he dismissed David Warner 15^th time in Tests. The Australian opener tried to play an extravagant drive on a widish delivery but ended up edging it back onto his stumps. Broad further got big fish Marnus Labuschagne on the very next ball as he got the crowd behind him and an in to bowl amid a deafening roar from the spectators.

The seamer pitched the ball up inviting Labuschagne to play and found his outside edge which went straight to Jonny Bairstow who completed a brilliant catch diving to his right. All of a sudden Australia were 32/2 after 11 overs.