David Warner rides his luck as England’s Ashes nightmare worsens

After cementing his place in Ashes folklore yesterday, Rory Burns’ maiden Test match on Australian soil has gone from bad to worse.

Rory Burns of England looks dejected after dropping a catch to dismiss David Warner. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Rory Burns’ first Test match on Australian soil could hardly have started any worse.

On Wednesday, the England opener cemented his place in Ashes folklore when Mitchell Starc bowled the left-hander around his legs on the first delivery of the series. Burns carelessly walked across the crease, planted his front foot and exposed his leg stump, with Starc hooping the Kookaburra into the pegs.

It was a moment cricket fans will remember for decades to come.

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But the 31-year-old’s woes compounded on Thursday, with Burns dropping a regulation catch early in the afternoon session at the Gabba.

Australia was 1/114 in the 32nd over when seamer Ollie Robinson created the long-awaited opportunity for England, drawing Warner onto the front foot and finding the outside edge.

The catch flew towards Burns at second slip at waist height, but the ball burst through his fingers, gifting the Australian opener another life at the crease.

Robinson made no attempt to hide his disgust.

ASHES LIVE BLOG: Gabba Test day two coverage

Rory Burns of England looks dejected after dropping a catch to dismiss David Warner. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“Oh no for England. No, no, no,” former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist cried on Fox Cricket.

“The luckless Ollie Robinson misses out again.”

Former Test batter Michael Hussey continued: “He got the length right there, Robinson. That was perfect, exactly where he needed to be.

“Rory Burns couldn’t finish the job. Oh, that’s a big miss for England.

“That’s got to be a mental thing, not 100 per cent switched on after the lunch break. He was probably not fully expecting it to come to him.”

Former Australian captain Allan Border quipped: “It’s a dolly too … that’s as easy and comfortable as you want them.”

Australian great Damien Fleming said on SEN commentary: “Awful. Why is he moving? It actually hit his wrist. Poor fielding. Awful catching. It’s a soda.”

Rory Burns having one of those nightmare games as a cricketer. First-ball duck, dropped catch, don't bowl

— Tom Cowie 🐄 (@tom_cowie) December 9, 2021

Rory Burns mate... SQ246 takes off at 11pm from Brisbane to Singapore.

Might as well be on it. #Ashes

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshMedia) December 9, 2021

Rory Burns is having the proverbial shocker here...

— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) December 9, 2021

Earlier on day two, English all-rounder Ben Stokes clean bowled Warner only for replays to show that he had overstepped the popping crease. It was later revealed that Stokes had bowled 14 individual no-balls throughout the day.

Warner brought up the 31st half-century of his Test career soon after Burns’ botched catch, reaching the minor milestone in 102 balls.

England’s frustration grew as the partnership between Warner and Australian No. 3 Marnus Labuschagne exceeded triple figures.

Warner continued riding his luck throughout the afternoon session — in the 37th over, England’s Haseeb Hameed missed an opportunity to run out the 35-year-old from short leg, with his wayward throw from three metres away somehow evading the stumps.

Perhaps Warner should consider purchasing a lottery ticket.