Nathan Lyon’s athleticism earns Australia a crucial wicket

The first Ashes Test kicked off in Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday as the riveting action unfolded in front of a packed crowd. The first day ebbed and flowed both ways with Australia coming back in the final session strongly. England too started their campaign on a positive note with the Ashes debutants scoring half-centuries. However, the tide turned the way of hosts when Nathan Lyon caught James Vince short off his crease with a splendid fielding at backward point.

The poms were well placed at 145/2 in the 60th over with a well set Vince and the skipper Joe Root in the middle. The former hit the back of length delivery to the right of Lyon who was charging in during the delivery stride of the bowler. Both the batsmen set off for a quick single, but Lyon was even quicker and affected a direct-hit at the bowler’s end with a single-handed pickup. Vince was almost a foot short of his crease and was denied a well-deserved century thanks to the superb athleticism from Gazza of the Australian team.

Australia then, took the control of the game as Pat Cummins snaffled Root as well to leave England at 196/4 by the end of the day.

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England bowled out for 302

The second day started on a bright note for the visitors with Dawid Malan and Moeen Ali looking comfortable. They added 83 for the fifth wicket stand before the former was fell victim to short-ball tactics from Mitchell Starc. England collapsed soon then and lost their remaining wickets for 56 more runs. They were bowled out for 302, the score which is a little below-par given the conditions.

Australia, in their reply, are stuttering currently and have lost four wickets so far of their fragile batting line-up. The pace quartet and the only spinner in Moeen Ali have bowled well for England and are currently bossing the game. They would love to bowl out Australia soon and dominate them in the first Ashes Test.