‘Absolutely baffled’: David Warner slams late England decision on Day 1

Aussie cricket great David Warner was stunned by England’s tactics late on day one of the Second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Joe Root’s breakthrough ton in Australia, and some scintillating late hitting, left England in a strong position at stumps on day one of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba.

After Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bat, regular wickets fell for the tourists, with Mitchell Starc sensational again with 6-71 as England reached 9-325 at stumps.

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Before the opening ball, Nathan Lyon was left “absolutely filthy” after he was dropped for the second Test, with Australia selecting an all-pace line-up with the addition of Michael Neser and Pat Cummins falling short in his bid to play.

On a more traditional day of Test cricket, Starc’s two late wickets left England 9-264, with all and sundry expecting England to declare and force Australia’s shaky top order to face a difficult spell under lights with the pink ball.

England's Joe Root celebrates his century during the second Ashes Test against Australia. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)

But in a decision that left Aussie great David Warner “absolutely baffled” in the Fox commentary box, Root (135 not out) and No. 11 Jofra Archer (32 not out) kept batting and produced a swashbuckling half-century partnership to take their score past 300.

The Poms will be back out in the middle once more on Friday afternoon hoping to add to their total before Australia gets its first chance with the willow.

Stokes was run out in a moment of madness as Josh Inglis threw down the stumps on a tough angle, while Alex Carey was outstanding with the gloves for Australia.

Root finally secured his first ton in Australia, while Zak Crawley (76) bounced back from his twin ducks in Perth at the top of the order, the only other half-century to date for England.

Barring another mind-melting day two, this Test looks poised to push well past the 48-hour mark, with the hosts needing to bat well after romping to victory in the series opener.

Originally published as ‘Absolutely baffled’: David Warner slams late England decision on Day 1