Ashes cricket 2023: Usman Khawaja spares Australia’s blushes with heroic Edgbaston ton
An Usman Khawaja ton put Australia back in the hunt at Edgbaston, as references to convicted paedophile Rolf Harris from English fans soured day two. Recap the day two action here.
Portions of the Edgbaston crowd taunted the Australian side with references to convicted paedophile Rolf Harris but authorities appear unlikely to act without complaints from the Aussie team itself.
During play on Saturday afternoon, a chant emanated from the Eric Hollies Stand, renowned for its raucous atmosphere.
In a riff on a popular British football tune, England fans sang “Rolf Harris, he’s one of your own.”
It was a reference to disgraced Australian-born entertainer Harris, who was jailed in 2014 in the UK over the indecent assault of four underage girls.
Harris was released in 2017 before dying earlier this year in England, aged 93.
Asked about the matter a spokesman on behalf of the ECB and Edgbaston Stadium said: “There is clear protocol in place for players to report any abuse or discrimination aimed at them during a game. Players are encouraged to raise concerns with the umpires who in turn alert the match referee and then stadium security to make inquiries.
“No complaints or concerns have been raised by any of the Australia players to the umpires.”
The Hollies stand has a reputation for a rowdy, carnival-like atmosphere, not unlike the MCG’s famous Bay 13. On day two there were several groups clad in various costumes in that area of the ground.
Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon was on day one on the end of a chant to the effect of “you’re just a s*** Moeen Ali,” a reference to his English tweaker counterpart.
DAY 2 RECAP: KING KHAWAJA TURNS THE TIDE
England lamented several critical errors and bemoaned a slow pitch as Australia kept itself firmly in the contest after another gripping day to start the Ashes at Edgbaston.
Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow was the major culprit, gifting lives to both Alex Carey and Cameron Green, while Stuart Broad bowled Usman Khawaja off a no-ball as the Aussies recovered from early trouble at 3-67 to finish day two at 5-311, trailing England by just 82 runs.
Khawaja was Australia’s hero, posting his first Test ton on these shores to finish the day unbeaten on 126, while Carey continued his strong start to the tour with the bat to end the day on 52, the pair’s sixth-wicket stand having extended to 91.
Travis Head (50) and Green (38) also both made important contributions after Broad and Ben Stokes had left the Aussies on the ropes before lunch.
However the tourists rode their luck. Bairstow missed a stumping before Green had scored then dropped Carey when he was on 26. Broad looked to have added the wicket of Khawaja to those of David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne but had overstepped with Khawaja on 112.
“A little bit frustrating,” said England assistant coach Paul Collingwood.
“ I think it’s been another great day of Test cricket. You know, you’d like to take those chances. (We were) probably half an inch away from taking all their wickets tonight so we weren’t far away. But we’re still in a magnificent position in this game.”
After England went at more than five runs per over on day one, Australia batted more conventionally on Saturday.
“We’ve said right from the start that we’re trying to make Test cricket a lot more entertaining,” Collingwood said.
“And if we don’t do that, then you know Test cricket might not survive. Our vision as a Test team is far greater than results. Australia can go about it the way they want to go about it. But you know, we’ll stick to our plans.”
Broad told Sky that “there wasn’t a lot in that pitch today.”
“It felt slow from length, it felt like a lot of the energy got sapped from the ball,” Broad said.
NOWHERE NEAR IT
Before falling meekly for 50, Head bore the brunt of an influx of short-pitched bowling from Ollie Robinson after India had tried the tactic last week. Head handled it very well, with Robinson’s pace not overly threatening, especially on this pitch. Head was on 31 when Robinson dug one in. Head wore it on the elbow, and England sent a decision upstairs after Marais Erasmus turned down their appeal. Needless to say, the hosts failed.
THAT’S NOT ALL, FOAKES
Bairstow had returned to the side at the expense of Ben Foakes, a decision that upset many wicketkeepers given the consensus that Foakes is England’s premier pure gloveman. While Bairstow took a terrific low catch to remove Labuschagne, he blew a couple of regulation chances later.
YOUR TURN NOW
It proved a costly miss for Bairstow and England, but Ali landed his man eventually, getting one to rip back dramatically to bowl Green through the gate for 38. Ali admitted before the match that he’d never been able to hold up an end, but never mind when you can produce deliveries like this one.
EVERYONE GETS A BOWL
For a team that had Australia on the ropes, England was certainly sharing the bowling workload. Having lost Jack Leach before the series and with Stokes’ capacity limited, the captain turned to seven different bowlers in the first session, including Joe Root’s part-time offies and the very stump-to-stump mediums of Harry Brook.
WARNER’S OTHER ISSUE
All the headlines will be about Broad getting David Warner’s wicket again – the 15th time it’s happened in Test cricket – but there’s another trend that should be causing some alarm for the Aussie opener on what he hopes will be a successful farewell tour. He keeps getting out chopping onto his wicket. Sometimes this can be dismissed as bad luck but it’s happened four times in the past seven months, including from West Indies pair Jayden Seales and Roston Chase during Australia’s 2-0 Test series win at the start of last summer.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION AS IT HAPPENED LIVE ON DAY 2
STUMPS: KING KHAWAJA STANDS TALL FOR AUSTRALIA
Australia has hit back in the Ashes with a healthy dose of Uzball, care of a meticulous century to opener Usman Khawaja.
Staring down the barrel of a scary first innings deficit after a trio of failures from David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith, Australia fought back beautifully with Khawaja combining for valuable partnerships with Travis Head (50), Cameron Green (38) and Alex Carey (52).
And it’s trimmed England’s advantage to just 82, with Australia closing the day on 5-311.
But it’s all about Khawaja, who has had a tough time in England over the years – and a previous best score of just 54 prior to today – but repelled England time and again in a phenomenal innings, finishing unbeaten on 126.
England will rue their sloppiness in the final session, with Stuart Broad – who continued to torment Warner earlier in the day – overstepping with a costly no-ball when he finally breached Khawaja’s defences.
Carey, too, has been given several lives with Jonny Bairstow the main culprit behind the stumps.
Dare I say it, after two days this Test is evenly poised. Australia have a long tail, and will have to bat last on a deteriorating wicket that is taking spin, so will be hopeful that the Khawaja-Carey partnership can steer them to parity.
After that, anything is possible. Join us again tomorrow for Day 3!
3.15AM: ANOTHER LIFE, ANOTHER 50 FOR CAREY
Alex Carey is riding his luck right now – but brings up his fifth Test 50 with a tickle off Moeen Ali that splits Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, at first slip.
He’s had a few chances this innings but, scoring at a good clip, has done a mountain of work to erase England’s lead while Khawaja takes more of a back seat as the day wears on.
And he’s certainly making England pay for their sloppiness.
Can he add a second century to his resume? It would put Australia in a strong position tomorrow if so.
3.00AM: ENGLAND’S FIRST INNINGS LEAD SHRINKS BELOW 100
As the clock ticks past 3am in Australia, Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey are doing a fine job continuing this rescue mission – quietly whittling away England’s first-innings lead.
With just the extra half-hour of play to go, to allow teams to make up for slow over rates, the pair have steered Australia to 5-294, or just 99 runs behind England’s first innings.
That’s still a sizeable amount of runs to chalk off, especially with Australia carrying a long tail, but Khawaja – with help from his middle order friends – has put the tourists in a position where they can genuinely look up and think a first-innings lead is a possibility.
That’s an extraordinary position to be in, considering how dire things seemed when Steve Smith fell in the shadows of the lunch break with just 67 runs on the board for Australia.
2.35AM: BROAD DENIED BY NO-BALL BLUNDER
Wicket! Wait, no! It’s a no-ball!
Broad’s second delivery with the new ball is a gem, seaming back in through the gate and crashing into Usman Khawaja’s off stump.
Broad takes off and the crowd erupts, but the third umpire quickly intervenes and advises Marais Erasmus to signal a no-ball.
That’s a crippling blow for Broad, who has been so, so good today and is invariably the man for the moment.
Khawaja has been unmovable today, but he’s been given a second chance here on 112.
England have botched chances to remove both Khawaja and Carey in successive overs. How much is that going to hurt?
2.25AM: CAREY GETS A LIFE FROM BAIRSTOW
The new ball is now, and England have taken it. But they would’ve loved to be bowling at Pat Cummins, rather than Alex Carey.
And they should’ve, but for a dropped catch by Jonny Bairstow. Joe Root, in the final over before the new ball, had Carey prodding at a delivery he needn’t have and he feathered a chance to Bairstow, who grassed another chance.
He’s had a mixed day behind the stumps, with a terrific catch to remove Marnus Labuschagne to go with a missed stumping of Cameron Green, an almost impossible offering off Travis Head and now the Carey drop.
England's lead has shrunk to 129 as Stuart Broad revs himself up for another crack with the new ball.
2.05AM: CAREY HITS THE GROUND RUNNING
Alex Carey has had an immediate impact on the scoreboard since coming to the crease. There’s no slow starts when he is involved.
With five overs to go until the new ball he has helped reduce England’s first-innings lead to under 150 – and roughly 90 minutes of play still to come today.
England briefly thought they might have unseated Carey, with Jonny Bairstow claiming a catch from behind the wicket – but it’s given not out, and bowler Moeen Ali is far less interested.
There does appear to be a noise as the ball passes the bat, but nothing comes up on Ultra-Edge, so Moeen was firmly across it.
1.45AM: CENTURY! KHAWAJA CONQUERS ENGLISH DEMONS
What a knock from Usman Khawaja – he’s stood up when Australia desperately needed him.
Prior to today, his highest Test score in England was 54 but he’s put that firmly in the rearview mirror now with a superb stint to hold Australia’s first innings together.
As ever, Khawaja has done it his way. At his own pace. And all with a calmness that is the polar opposite of Bazball.
He’s also done what most thought impossible: silence the Edgbaston crowd.
Khawaja brings up the milestone, his 15th in Test cricket, by guiding a Ben Stokes delivery down through the vacant gully region before letting out a guttural roar, raising his arms in triumph and throwing his bat away.
Beneath the quiet exterior beats the heart of an absolute warrior.
1.35AM: WICKET! GREEN ROLLED BY A JAFFA
Oh my! What a delivery from Moeen Ali. He has landed that in the rough a mile outside the off-stump and it’s ripped back through the gate to take middle stump.
A superb ball, not dissimilar to the one which beat Green upon his arrival at the crease, and the big West Australian had absolutely no answers.
It felt as though Green was building to something special, but he departs for 38 and Australia are 5-220 and still trailing by 173.
Moeen has been tireless today, getting through a mountain of work and coming back for more even after getting flayed around the ground. After 22 overs he’s nailed the crucial breakthrough twice now, with the wickets of Travis Head and Green.
That does, however, bode well for Nathan Lyon in the second innings.
1.25AM: AUSSIES TURN THE HEAT UP ON ENGLAND QUICKS
It’s worth monitoring the workload on England quicks.
The second new ball is due in 15 overs, and England still require six Australian wickets. It’s not outlandish to expect there’s still quite a lot more bowling to be done by the England quicks, especially if Australia continue with their, at times painstakingly, patient approach.
Now where this becomes interesting is when it comes down to the workloads of some of England’s fast bowlers.
In the modern game, where fast bowlers as likely to miss a game with a ‘hot spot’ in their back as they are a ballooning average, workloads are important.
And it becomes especially so when you’re talking about 40-year-old James Anderson and 36-year-old Stuart Broad. Already both have put in a solid shift, with Broad accounting for 12 overs and Anderson 11 – not far off the 15 bowled by Josh Hazlewood, Australia’s most used quick in the first innings.
Captain Ben Stokes has been a touch-and-go proposition with the ball for some time, as he manages a painful knee complaint.
England have already lost excitement machine Jofra Archer for the series, while frontline spinner Jack Leach is also out injured, so depth is being tested.
The longer Australia bat, the more likely Anderson and Broad especially are going to be in a world of hurt after this Test.
1.10AM: FINAL SESSION UNDERWAY
It feels like I might say this before the start of every session this Test, perhaps this series, but this one is a biggie.
Even allowing for the scoreboard pressure being applied after England’s blazing efforts yesterday, this Test feels quite evenly poised. But this partnership, between Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green, is critical.
The pair will resume for the final session on day two trailing by 205 runs, but an extended session could bring big runs and if one, or both, of these batsmen are still standing at stumps Australia will be in a strong position after two days.
“First innings runs are going to be so important,” says Steve O’Keefe.
“We’re seeing a lot of spin, and I expect that to continue as the game wears on.”
TEA: KHAWAJA HOLDS FIRM IN AUSSIE REBUILD
They are still on the backfoot, but you can chalk that session up as a win for Australia and in particular Usman Khawaja.
110 runs on the board, and just the loss of Travis Head midway through the session.
Where England have tried to rip this game away from Australia with Bazball, Khawaja is fighting back in the most conventional manner possible. It’s been proper Test cricket from the gritty Australian opener.
Head’s dismissal had the potential to massively disrupt Australia’s first innings, but Khawaja has been unmoved.
With a strike rate just a shade under his career-rate of 50, Khawaja is Australia’s rock and he has a 15th Test century, just 16 runs away, on his mind.
Cameron Green, too, has been patient – even cautious – but he’s still there at the tea break, unbeaten on 21 and is quietly building a very important fifth wicket partnership with Khawaja.
The pair have added 40, and with two century-stands to their name already this looms as a partnership that can set Australia up nicely in the third session.
12.25AM: DROPPED! KHAWAJA ALMOST UNDONE BY ROOT
Ben Stokes will try anything to buy a wicket – whether that be leaving Moeen Ali on when he’s being plundered by Travis Head and Usman Khawaja, or indeed bringing on the likes of Harry Brook or Joe Root.
Brook was introduced into the attack before even Stokes himself, while Moeen has just been replaced by Root, for his second stint with the ball.
And it comes oh so close to paying dividends, with a flighty ball spinning out of the rough and earning a thick bottom edge by Khawaja.
To call it a chance would be harsh on Bairstow – it would’ve been a miracle had he managed to pull that one off – but it’s the first loose shot we’ve seen from Khawaja in this session.
The Magic of Bazball.
12.05AM: A TOUCH OF AUSSIE OPTIMISM
Need a midnight pick-me-up?
While it seems grim at the moment for Australia, especially after losing their middle order enforcer Travis Head, it’s worth remembering that England were 5-176 early in the middle session yesterday.
Australia, now, are 4-165 in an eerily similar game situation.
What followed for England was a 121-run partnership between Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, at a fair clip as well it must be said. But Australia would look at that and recognise that runs can be made on a flat wicket as the ball gets older.
England are still 30 overs away from the new ball, so this period feels like the best for runscoring for the Australians.
Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green average 93.40 in their partnerships, with two century stands across six innings. #Ashes
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) June 17, 2023
11.45PM: WICKET! HEAD’S CRUCIAL CAMEO CRUSHED
Just when it felt as though Travis Head and Usman Khawaja were wrestling control back from England, the hosts drive a dagger into the Australian middle order.
Travis Head, having just brought up his 50 through aggressive stroke play and after targeting Moeen Ali especially, mis-hits an on-drive off the recalled spinner – and finds Zac Crawley lurking at mid-wicket.
That’s a cruel blow for Australia and ends an 81-run partnership, their best of the innings to date.
It brings Cameron Green to the crease, and he’s welcomed with an absolute ripsnorter of a delivery from Moeen, spinning back through the gate – and it does too much for Jonny Bairstow, who botches the stumping chance.
A life for Green, and some much-needed luck for Australia.
11.30PM: REDEMPTION DUO DRIVING AUSSIE RESCUE MISSION
“Australia will need to rely on two batters who were both dropped during the last Ashes series on these shores,” says CODE Sport’s Daniel Cherny.
“There’s a redemption arc in here.”
And he’s right. Usman Khawaja and Travis Head have built the fourth-wicket partnership to 62 early in this middle session, and across the course of their careers there aren’t many players who’ve been more maligned.
Khawaja has been dropped from the Australian side seven times before his current stint in the team – and he was only given one final chance because Head, who among other times was dropped during Australia’s most recent away Ashes series, contracted Covid during the last home Ashes.
Khawaja delivered a double century at the SCG and hasn’t looked back. Head, too, has built on all of his setbacks to become one of the best counterattacking batsmen on the planet.
And he’s rising to the occasion again, with a half-century in his sights.
11.20PM
The England fans are enjoying themselves, and fair enough too. They’ve every right to celebrate.
But this is haunting.
Afternoon viewing ðŸðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿#Ashespic.twitter.com/HFC30ugt8e
— England's Barmy Army ðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿ðŸŽº (@TheBarmyArmy) June 17, 2023
11.05PM: ENGLAND’S BODYLINE PLOY FOR HEAD
England aren’t hiding their plans to unsettle Travis Head – deploying a legside-heavy field, with Stuart Broad turning straight to the short ball as his primary tactic.
Last week in the World Test Championship final, India enjoyed some success with the short-ball against Head but perhaps waited a little long to test him in that fashion, waiting until he was in the 90s before pivoting to that tactic.
In the end, it is how Head was dismissed, caught down the legside.
England with five fielders between forward square leg and fine leg against Travis Head. Plus a deep-third if he tries to uppercut. #Ashespic.twitter.com/Dg3xShQh3O
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) June 17, 2023
And you might recall that England have had success in tempting Head into edgy uppercuts to third man, including on the last away Ashes series.
So, naturally, Stokes has a plan for that too. An important period looms for Head.
Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja has brought up his 22nd Test half-century. It is his first Test half-century in England since July 2013, but Australia needs it to become his 15th Test ton.
10.50PM: AUSSIES UNDER PRESSURE, SECOND SESSION UNDER WAY
There’s no sugar-coating it – this is an enormous session for Australia.
As Mark Taylor just said on Channel 9, Australia don’t need to play Bazball. But they need to play the way that has brought this Australian team success in recent years.
The timid approach across the first four sessions of this Test has appeared to put England on a pedestal – and let them dominate proceedings.
Travis Head could be key to any change in momentum in this match, the fast-scoring left-hander having not enjoyed much success in England previously but riding high after a brilliant 18 months.
He’s Australia’s firecracker in the middle order, the star who can take the game away from the opposition in little more than session.
Australia desperately need him, and Usman Khawaja, to stem the bleeding. And fast.
LUNCH: ENGLAND’S SESSION AS AUSTRALIA STRUGGLE
England scored nearly 400 runs in 3 sessions yesterday, but without doubt this will be the session they’ll take the most heart from.
On a wicket derided as flat 24 hours ago, England restricted Australia to just 64 runs before lunch on day two – and picked up three wickets, including the prized scalp of Steve Smith, who fell LBW to Ben Stokes, just before the break.
Smith scored just 16 off 59 – the antithesis of England’s Bazball approach – but his dismissal brought the biggest roar from the rowdy Edgbaston crowd of the two days so far.
If England can put the handbrakes on Australia’s batters on a wicket where they also score at five an over, maybe Bazball is truly the real deal?
Stokes used aggressive field positions, threw the ball to part-timers Harry Brook and Joe Root, and claimed the biggest wicket of the morning – while Stuart Broad continued his stranglehold over David Warner, and was on a hat-trick to put the tourists on the backfoot early.
Usman Khawaja has been Australia’s rock, and is nearing his half-century, while the ultra-aggressive Travis Head also made the lunch break.
But Australia has it all to do, here. They trail by 315 runs and have the world’s top-ranked batsmen, Smith (No. 2) and Marnus Labuschagne (No. 1) already back in the sheds.
“Yeah, let’s face it: the Aussies were bullied,” said former Test spinner Stephen O’Keefe on Channel 9.
“‘Bazball’ is bullying the Aussies at the moment.
“Looking at the Aussies, it just looks like negative cricket, an un-Australian way of playing.
“Australia on the back foot, tentative with footwork. It’s not working for them at the moment. They’re barely going at two runs an over and are doing … the complete contrast of what England did in their first innings when they had the chance to bat.”
9.52PM: WICKET! AUSTRALIA IN TATTERS AS SMITH FALLS
A huge wicket!
In a major breakthrough for England, Steve Smith is given out LBW nearing the lunch break.
Smith was trapped on the crease by Ben Stokes, who gets through the Australian’s defence with minimal movement it must be said – just angled back in at the batsman.
It looked a tad high, and an indignant Smith reviewed immediately, but the sight of three red lights whipped the crowd into a frenzy.
Smith must go, for just 16 off 59 balls, to bring Travis Head to the middle.
Australia in a mighty hole, here. Scoring slowly is fine in Test cricket. Losing wickets is not. And they still trail by 325 on England’s first innings.
9.45PM: BALL REPLACED AMID AUSSIE RESCUE MISSION
England have got their wish. The non-swinging, non-effective Dukes ball (bar that bit where Stuart Broad took two wickets in two balls) has been replaced.
After yet another consultation with the umpires, where the ball was tested again and found to have been bent out of shape sufficient to be retired, Ben Stokes is bowling with a ‘new’ old ball.
Occasionally this can have a significant effect – as they say, you can get good batches and bad batches of the balls. Some swing more than others.
England are obviously optimistic that this one has come from a good batch – or perhaps there’ll be another discussion with the umpire in the near future.
There’s 15 minutes to go until the lunch break, and Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja are fairly resolute in their slow march to the break.
9.35PM: GREMLINS EMERGING IN EDGBASTON WICKET?
There was something in the pitch that might be worth keeping an eye on – Moeen Ali has just bowled a delivery that kept dangerously low.
Usman Khawaja did exceptionally well to keep it out, and had to jam down hard to stop the delivery from crashing into his off stump.
But after nearly four sessions of offering very little for the bowlers, that delivery – and the prospect of a bit of variable bounce – might have piqued the interest of the slow bowlers especially.
Meanwhile, Khawaja has kept things ticking over for Australia. He’s up to 36. Australia are 2-62.
9.20PM: IS SMITH CRICKET’S BAZBALL ANTIDOTE?
If there was any doubt, it can probably already be confirmed: Steve Smith is the antidote to Bazball.
The world’s No. 2-ranked batsman frequently talks about ‘batting in a bubble’, so if there’s anyone who has the ability to block out the noise and fanfare about England’s cricket revolution, it is Smith.
Blocking the outside noise was central to Smith’s brilliant 144 at Edgbaston four years ago, in his first Test match after coming back from the year-long ban over Sandpapergate.
If that couldn’t faze him, Bazball doesn’t stand a chance.
And Smith doesn’t appear to have any intention of trying to match England’s blazing run-rate, either. After 45 minutes in the middle, he’s crawled along to 9 off 32 balls.
The runs have dried up considerably for Australia, with Khawaja (24 from 55) also slowing down.
“Ben Stokes will love what he’s seeing. So far his tactics have won the day,” says Mark Taylor.
But Smith will look at the fact he has a full day of batting ahead of him. He’s in no rush.
9PM: GENIUS OR MADNESS? DISSECTING ENGLAND’S BOLD DECLARATION
An hour down this morning, and England have picked up two wickets – putting Australia well and truly on the back foot.
Does it vindicate Ben Stokes’ decision to declare late on day one? Sacrificing an even bigger first-innings total, with centurion Joe Root unbeaten in the middle, Stokes brought England’s batters in with a view towards getting some early wickets.
It didn’t work last night. It has worked this morning.
So was it Bazball magic? Or Bazball madness?
Robert Craddock broke it down here for CODE Sport this morning.
8.37PM: WICKET! LABUSCHAGNE GOLDEN DUCK
Well, well, well! Stuart Broad has the crowd roaring again – because he’s on a hat-trick!
He goes bang-bang, and the world’s No. 1-ranked batsman, Marnus Labuschagne, departs for a golden duck.
Labuschagne chases a wider deliver that creeps away from him, and he gets a fine touch that is well gathered by Jonny Bairstow who goes low and to his right.
That is a monumental blow to the Australian top order, who are now right up against the wall.
Steve Smith survives the hat-trick ball – a tame offering down legside – and now faces a mighty task to rescue Australia’s innings. Have you heard that before? Possibly four years ago, in this exact scenario, when he scored twin tons at Edgbaston to open the 2019 Ashes?
Well, his number has been called again.
8.35PM: WICKET! AUSSIE SHOCK AS WARNER FALLS CHEAPLY
A wicket! And disaster for David Warner. And, of course, it is Stuart Broad who gets him.
The old nemesis, coming around the wicket, roars in delight after Warner chops on. It’s an expansive shot, probably the first he’s played this morning, and it sends the bails flying and wakes up the crowd in a big way.
Warner goes for 9 off 27, and Australia are 1-29.
Despite that, it’s still a better start than they are used to in recent times …
“This is the first time Australia’s opening pair has put on more than 18 in a Test on English soil since 2015,” says Dan Cherny.
Meanwhile, England have been doing their best to convince the umpires to change the ball. This one isn’t zipping around like it normally does. But those requests might quiet down a touch after that wicket.
8.20PM: TOUGH GOING EARLY FOR AUSSIES
It’s looking a whole lot more like an Ashes Test in England right now.
Jimmy Anderson is getting the ball to move away from Usman Khawaja, England have opened with three maidens, and the raucous Hollies Stand is already in full voice – they must’ve found a couple of early-opening bars on the way to the ground.
Our man on the ground, Daniel Cherny, paints the picture of what is facing Khawaja and opening partner David Warner.
“The conditions overhead are perfect for England’s bowlers but there has been very little hit of lateral movement so far,” he explains.
“The deck is flat and Warner and Khawaja both look comfortable.
“It took 37 overs for a maiden yesterday. This morning it was 24 balls until Australia scored a run.”
8.10PM: BROAD, ANDERSON GET FIRST CRACK ON DAY TWO
After the minor delay, Stuart Broad opens with a maiden to David Warner.
You don’t see many maidens in Bazball, but given Warner’s record in England – and his troubles against Broad over the years – you suspect he’ll be quite happy to get through this first spell before he starts thinking about lifting the tempo, let alone a drought-breaking century on England soil.
Meanwhile, at the other end, it’s the 40-year-old Jimmy Anderson who will get his first chance to impress this series, after Ollie Robinson was given the new ball last night.
8PM: SLIGHT DELAY TO START DAY TWO
Don’t panic, cricket fans. But there is a minor delay at Edgbaston after a little bit of light rain this morning.
Skies are clear-ish now – there’s a decent amount of cloud coverage, but no rain – but the five-minute delay is to allow ground staff to dry the outfield.
Could the burst of rain, and the cloud coverage, help England find some joy in this otherwise lifeless wicket?
Does Bazball have control over England’s weather? These are the questions that must be answered.
7.45PM: ‘THEY’RE SCARED’: EX-AUSSIE BATSMAN’S SAVAGE BAZBALL THEORY
Former Australia Test batsman Callum Ferguson has accused England of running scared of Patrick Cummins and his world-beating pace attack – and believes that is the reason behind Ben Stokes’ plea for flat wickets this Ashes series.
The Edgbaston curator delivered on Stokes’ plea and served up a flat pitch, perfect for England’s aggressive Bazball approach, which nullified the all-star Australian attack.
England scored at a rapid five runs an over in scoring 8 (dec)-393, but Ferguson felt that the request from the home side’s captain for batsman-friendly wickets was a sign that they were ‘scared’ of Australia’s fast bowlers.
“I tell you what was a big story I thought coming out of (the first day’s play), was just how flat the pitch was that they prepared for this,” Ferguson said on Triple M.
“I genuinely believe that they’re scared to play BazBall on a wicket that’s doing anything, especially against our quicks, because we will find something in a wicket that’s got something there.”
And Ferguson warned that the move could backfire, as Australia have their turn to bat on the docile deck.
Boasting the world’s No. 1 ranked batsman, Marnus Labuschagne, and all-time great Steve Smith, as well as the dashing Travis Head in the middle order, Australia have the weapons to score big on flat wickets.
“I think England should be really concerned,” he said.
“To see how that wicket played and to have to front up to Steven Smith and a guy as hungry for runs as Marnus Labuschagne, let alone Travis Head.
“I’m really looking forward to watching our boys go about it out there because looking at the fast outfield, not a lot of bounce there but coming on to the bat OK, my goodness we could see some runs.”
7.15PM: GLOOMY SKIES MEET AUSSIE BATSMEN
It was a road yesterday, but will the Edgbaston wicket be similarly useless to England’s bowlers as it was for Australia’s?
While it doesn’t look to be showing any wear and tear, there is one thing that is likely to make Australia’s batsmen a little wary: that old English favourite, cloud coverage and a bit of precipitation.
The secret to swing bowling, and Jimmy Anderson’s best friend, the clouds have arrived in Birmingham overnight after a day of beaming sunshine on day one.
More covers going on, it is raining today.
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) June 17, 2023
Big day for the Australian batsmen, have to get 400 plus pic.twitter.com/zZ1R3ukS7a
A lot more cloud cover around Birmingham today, and it’s meant to stay that way all day. Reckon Stuart Broad might be licking his lips at the overhead conditions. No rain likely today, but could be some over next few Tests. #Ashespic.twitter.com/oJ8NI6pIky
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) June 17, 2023
6.30PM: CAN ENGLAND GET ANYTHING FROM EDGBASTON ROAD?
England captain Ben Stokes’ bold declaration on the opening day of the first Ashes Test may have come as a shock to cricket traditionalists, but it was “no surprise” to teammate Jonny Bairstow.
England were 393-8 at Edgbaston, with Joe Root unbeaten on 118 and in superb touch after leading a revival from a mid-innings slump, when Stokes called a halt.
With 20 minutes left in the day, Stokes was prepared to lose the promise of extra runs in the hope of snaring an Australia wicket in the four overs remaining before Friday’s close.
There was no breakthrough, however, with Australia 0-14 at stumps after David Warner survived his latest encounter with Stuart Broad, who dismissed the left-hander seven times during the drawn 2019 Ashes series in England.
Stokes has been no stranger to declarations while overseeing a run of 11 wins in 13 Tests since linking up with coach Brendon McCullum last year.
“I’m sure there’s many decisions Ben has made that have taken commentators and other people by surprise, but it was no surprise to us,” said Bairstow.
Bairstow played his part in allowing Stokes to make that decision with a run-a-ball 78 in his first Test innings since a freak golf accident in August last year left him with multiple injuries, including three separate fractures in his left leg.
“I’m delighted to be back out there on the big stage, during the big dance. It’s something you want to be part of and it didn’t disappoint,” he said.
Bairstow also helped former England captain Root add 121 for the sixth wicket, with his longtime friend and Yorkshire colleague ending an eight-year wait for an Ashes hundred.
“It was brilliant,” said Bairstow.
“There are some special traits that he’s got and he does special things.
“As someone who has known him for a really long time, been through thick and thin, ups and downs and lots of different things together, it was an absolute pleasure to be out there with him.”
Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood, who marked his return to Test cricket with 2-61 in 15 overs, insisted the tourists were not taken aback by Stokes’ declaration.
“I think once Joe got his hundred and they were playing a few shots, I sensed it was coming, that’s sort of the way they’re playing their cricket at the moment,” said the 32-year-old seamer.
Hazlewood, back in the side after left-arm quick Mitchell Starc was dropped from the team that beat India in last week’s World Test Championship final, was adamant Australia had reason to be pleased with their day’s work after losing the toss on a good batting pitch.
“The wicket was — not a great deal in it, it was very, very slow, not much sideways movement, it wasn’t swinging or anything so 390 (for England) and we’re ‘none-for’ so pretty even I would say.”
More Coverage
‘I’ll be half a chance’: Harris puts hand up for Aussie selection
Australian selectors will provide an early steer on potential replacements for Cameron Green when they unveil an Australia A squad, with a former Test opener appearing to be a good chance for selection.
Teen cricketer eyes Christmas comeback after coach saves life
Talented NSW junior Kade Sutton was clinically dead for five minutes after suffering a heart attack at training in late August, only to be brought back to life by his coach, Jed Dickson. Now, he’s eyeing a return to the sport he loves by Christmas.