Ashes ‘carnage’ leaves us as confused as ever as key question remains unanswered

We’re only a few days away from the end of the Ashes series and the biggest question the cricket world wants answered remains in doubt.

Jonny Bairstow was one of the England culprits on day one. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

If we’re going to get a definitive answer on the effectiveness of Bazball in this Ashes series it didn’t come on day one of the Fifth Test.

Whether England’s free-wheeling approach to batting is the future of the long-form game remains without a final verdict after the Poms were rolled for 283 and Australia finished 1/61 at stumps.

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The hosts haven’t shown a moment of hesitation in their committed approach to scoring quickly since the series began, but they’re down 2-1 and arguably behind in this match.

You suspect even a 3-1 series defeat won’t change the minds of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, but it may leave the rest of the cricket world - including Australia - more cautious about choosing to follow England’s lead.

Just a reminder that if this series ends 3-1 it’ll be the worse home summer for 22 years and all those around Bazball should be remembered for it 👍🏻

— jimbo (@cricketjim1) July 27, 2023

Day one at The Oval again showed both the positive and negative aspects of keeping the foot on the pedal at all times as Pat Cummins won his first toss of the series and elected to bowl.

England motored out of the blocks to be 0/62 from 11.5 overs as the misery Australia suffered in Manchester looked like continuing.

But after openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley (22) lost their wickets to misfortune and good bowling respectively, Joe Root (5) made it a mini-collapse by trying to guide a Josh Hazlewood delivery that was too close to his body through gully and chopped on.

It was an unnecessary shot, but England pressed on - and had regained the upperhand when the fourth-wicket partnership between Harry Brook (85) and Moeen Ali (34) reached triple figures.

Alex Carey reacts after dropping Harry Brook when he was on five. It was one of five dropped catches by Australia on day one. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

But again a mix of misfortune, resilient bowling and careless batting saw a series of wickets tumble.

First, Moeen suffered an injury that could prevent him from bowling at any point in the match.

He strained a groin while running from the non-striker’s end, immediately called for the physio and disconsolately lost his wicket soon after trying to heave Todd Murphy without moving his feet.

Mitchell Starc had conceded 0/42 from his first six overs but returned to clean bowl Ben Stokes (three) with a peach and then, in the words of Mark Butcher in commentary, England “fell apart”.

Jonny Bairstow (four) was out in a similar fashion to Root, trying to force the issue off Hazlewood when the situation surely called for a leave.

And then Starc claimed the key wicket of Brook when the No. 5 took a silly swing at a wide delivery and was caught by Steve Smith in the slips.

It's officially carnage

— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) July 27, 2023

England had bettered its earlier collapse of 3/11 by losing 4/28, but 7/212 became all out for 283 as the tail - led by Chris Woakes (36) and Mark Wood (28) - went down swinging.

And there was the advantage of continual attack. Australia’s poor fielding - it dropped five catches in the innings - meant it had created 15 chances inside 55 overs.

Do that against any other team and a sub-200 total would almost be guaranteed. But despite the best efforts of Starc (4/82), Murphy (2/22) and Cummins (1/66) - who bowled so much better than his figures indicated - England had a score it felt it could defend.

“When you are scoring so freely those collapses don’t make as much of a dent on the scoreboard as they normally would,” Ricky Ponting noted at the tea break on Sky Sports.

“If you have collapses of 3/11 and 4/28, and you’re not scoring, you’re (normally) 7/100. But they keep the game going forward.”

Steve Smith catches Harry Brook. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

It was largely the opposite during the start to Australia’s innings as the visitors were asked to face 24 overs before the day’s end.

After England scored at a run rate of 5.17, the visitors crawled along at just 2.44 and despite putting a higher price on their wicket kept their opponent in the game.

David Warner (24 from 52 balls) faced 11 more deliveries than his counterpart in Duckett, but scored 17 fewer runs as he failed to convert another start in a series of missed opportunities.

Usman Khawaja (26 not out from 75) survived as he passed 1000 balls faced in the series, but Australia’s slow and steady approach meant they didn’t make any great in-roads into England’s lead.

And so we head to day two hopeful of receiving something more certain in this great clash of styles. Unless you already made up your mind before the series began.

3.30am - Aussies see out slow final hour

Australia will begin day two trailing by 222 runs with nine wickets in hand after Usman Khawaja (26 from 75 balls) and Marnus Labuschagne (two from 23) finished not out at stumps.

After Chris Woakes removed David Warner for 24, England gave the ball back to Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson to finish the day but neither could create a chance.

2.55am - Warner now becoming Woakes’ bunny

David Warner was out between 20 and 40 for the fifth time in nine innings this series after falling to another half-hearted shot.

Warner was well taken at second slip by Zak Crawley off the bowling of Chris Woakes, the third innings in a row Woakes has dismissed Warner after getting him in both innings at Old Trafford.

Warner provided real value in combining with Usman Khawaja to soak up 17 overs in a 49-run opening stand, but is again out before making serious runs.

He will avoid breaking the record for most times dismissed by one bowler. Stuart Broad was eyeing the mark owned by Glenn McGrath against Michael Atherton (19 times) after bringing his personal Warner wicket tally to 17 earlier in the series.

But given the second innings will be the final time they face each other, Atherton’s record is safe.

2.30am - Aussie batsmen win opening battle

David Warner and Usman Khawaja have seen off the opening spells of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad in testing conditions.

Warner had a couple of close calls against Broad. He was dropped down the leg side by Jonny Bairstow, but it went at lightning pace and was the toughest of chances.

The lefthander also survived a review for caught behind, when replays showed the ball missing his bat but clipping his upper arm on the way through.

Khawaja played and missed a few times to Anderson but has been his usual steady self as the Aussies were 0/42 from 12 overs at drinks.

1.45am - Moeen won’t feature again today

Moeen Ali will spend the rest of day one having his groin injury assessed and won’t take the field.

It was unlikely he would have bowled more than an over or two today given the time left in the day, but any prolonged absence could become a factor if Australia puts together a long first innings.

1.20am - Broad, Woakes go down swinging

England is all out for 283 having lost its last seven wickets for just 99 runs.

Mitchell Starc capped an impressive comeback in this innings with the final two wickets as Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes went down swinging.

Starc was 0/42 from six overs at lunch but finished with figures of 4/82 after one of Broad’s many mishits finally landed in the hands of Travis Head at cover - and then Woakes (36) sent another catch Head’s way.

Starc is now the leading wicket-taker in the series with 19, moving ahead of Stuart Broad (18) and Pat Cummins (17) in this innings despite having played one less match.

It was another ODI-paced innings for the Poms as they made their runs in 54.4 overs at a run rate of 5.17.

1.10am - Murphy making his mark

Australia’s decision to play offspinner Todd Murphy is well on its way to being validated after he pocketed a second wicket.

Murphy beat a swinging Mark Wood (28) with flight and clean bowled the Englishman to leave England 8/261.

It was a similar dismissal to how Murphy removed Moeen Ali earlier in the innings, when the first drop was swinging hard after suffering a groin injury.

Full marks to Murphy so far for his ability to stand up to that type of batting.

1.05am - Marsh drops fifth catch of innings

Mitchell Starc nearly had Chris Woakes twice in the first over after tea.

DRS surprised everyone when it showed an inside edge on Woakes’ bat after he was given out LBW and took a long time to decide to review.

A couple of balls later he nicked one straight at Mitch Marsh’s eyes in the gully, but the ball burst through the Aussie fielder’s hands. It was Australia’s fifth dropped catch of the innings.

12.45am - Tail beginning to wag at tea

Chris Woakes and Mark Wood have been England’s best players since entering the series in the Third Test and are making an impact again today.

The duo added 38 runs off 7.3 overs before the tea break to boost England to 7/250.

It’s revived the seemingly neverending discussion about Australia’s tactics when bowling to the tail.

“We started to bowl nothing in the last partnership,” Ian Healy said on Channel 9. “We can get a stronger plan for them.”

12.10am - ‘England are falling apart here’

Australia’s second purple patch of the match has left only the tail to remove.

Josh Hazlewood was rewarded for bowling tight on a difficult length with the wicket of Jonny Bairstow for four.

Bairstow attempted to drive a ball that wasn’t there and played on to his stumps.

Then came the big wicket of Harry Brook for 85.

Brook had chanced his hand all day and was finally undone flaying at a wide Mitchell Starc delivery.

The England No. 5 was well-caught at second slip by Steve Smith.

That’s a mini-collapse of 4/28 after England was cruising at 3/184. “England are falling apart here,” a commentator roared.

11.45pm - Starc sends Stokes’ stump flying

An absolute peach of a delivery from Mitchell Starc has sent England skipper Ben Stokes packing.

A ball that pitched on middle and leg hit the seam perfectly and completely flummoxed Stokes as he looked to work it into the leg side.

The ball missed the edge of the bat and thumped into Stokes’ off stump, sending it crashing to the deck and the Aussies celebrating.

A sore Starc sends Stokes walking with a PEACH. 🍑#TheAshes 5th Test | LIVE: https://t.co/m4bzLk1Js6#9WWOS#Cricket#Ashes#ENGvsAUSpic.twitter.com/SdB3WLNDe6

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) July 27, 2023

11.25pm - Todd Murphy snaps the partnership

Brought into the attack for the first time this Test, Todd Murphy has struck in his first over after rattling the stumps of Moeen Ali.

Ali looked to have succumbed to a groin injury shortly after lunch as he began swinging the willow with intent.

After smashing over midwicket for four, Ali went for one too many and his cross-bat heave was beaten by a fuller Murphy delivery.

10.50pm - Harry Brook raises the bat

Forget BazBall, the opening day of the fifth Test has all been about BrookBall.

Harry Brook walked to the pitch after Australia took three quick wickets, but the towering Pom didn’t let that stop him from going on the attack.

Brook went after the Australian attack from the outset and shortly after lunch brought up his half century from only 43 deliveries.

9.30pm - Cummins badly let down by teammates

Pat Cummins finished his opening spell with figures of 1/21 from six overs but it could have been so much better.

Alex Carey joined the list of villains behind the wicket by grassing an edge from Harry Brook when he was on five that would have left England in all sorts.

Brook is cashing in on the second life, reaching lunch at 48 not out from just 41 balls as England motored to 3/131. His partnership with Moeen Ali (10 not out) is already 58.

Per CricViz, Cummins’ average speed of 141km/h made it his quickest opening spell in England as he responded superbly to a disastrous game in Manchester that saw one England scribe score his efforts -1 out of 10.

Australia is back in this contest because of its skipper and it’s not the catchers that could be supporting him better.

Mitchell Starc has been wayward and expensive, conceding 42 runs for his first six wicketless overs.

9.15pm - Root gone as Australia roars back

What was looming as a disastrous start has now become firmly Australia’s session after Josh Hazlewood returned to the attack and got Joe Root to chop on.

England was 0/62 just 15 minutes ago but is now 3/73 with its two openers and best batsman back in the shed.

Hazlewood was expensive in his first spell but was handed the ball with two fresh men at the crease and has rewarded his captain.

The Aussie bowlers have pulled their lengths back after being punished in the first hour and it’s paying off - that was too short for Root’s attempted cut.

Hazlewood has now dismissed the England legend 10 times in Test matches, only one less than Pat Cummins (11) who has got him out more times than anyone else.

9.05pm - Cummins turns the match with searing spell

Pat Cummins finally has some reward for a superb opening spell after removing Zak Crawley with a gem of a delivery.

Bowling at 140km/h every ball, Cummins dragged the visitors back in the contest and now has Fourth Test hero Crawley out of action.

Cummins darted a ball back at the England opener, who was squared up and sent an edge to Steve Smith in the slip cordon.

It gave Smith his 55th Ashes catch, moving him past Ian Botham (54) to hold the record outright.

9pm - Mitch Marsh makes the breakthrough

Australia’s hour of pain is finally over after Mitch Marsh had Ben Duckett caught down the leg side for a run-a-ball 41.

Duckett was looking to go big after being dropped earlier in his innings by David Warner, but was unlucky to glove one to Alex Carey while attempting to work the ball off his hip.

He was initially given not out but a confident Aussie fielding team sent it upstairs where contact with the ball was shown.

8.45pm - Warner drops an absolute sitter

David Warner is looking for the nearest hole to hide in after dropping a regulation chance in the slip cordon.

A peach of a first delivery from Pat Cummins caught the edge of Ben Duckett’s bat and flew head-height to Warner, who was beaten for pace.

Triple M’s Rudi Edsall wrote: “That is a full blown stinker from Warner. Dear oh dear.”

Veteran journalist Rohan Connolly wrote: “Oh FFS, that was an absolute dolly Warner.”

He's been amazing in the field all series, but Warner drops a regulation chance off Cummins' first ball for the Test.#TheAshes 5th Test | LIVE: https://t.co/m4bzLk1bCy#9WWOS#Cricket#Ashes#ENGvsAUSpic.twitter.com/SSkdUwWys4

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) July 27, 2023

8.15pm - Australia loses its first review

The ball is jagging around in the early overs for the Aussies but it’s cost them with Pat Cummins burning a review.

A Mitchell Starc delivery darted back in on Zak Crawley and clipped his back pad before going through to Alex Carey.

The Aussies went up before Cummins opted to send it upstairs. Crawley survived as the ball was hitting him outside the line of off stump.

7:45pm - Pat Cummins finally wins the toss

For the first time all series, Pat Cummins has won the coin toss.

The Aussie skipper has elected to send the English in to bat with Australia taking the new ball.

Australia has recalled Todd Murphy after he was left out for the Fourth Test at Old Trafford.

All-rounder Cameron Green is the man to make way as England go in unchanged.

England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Moeen Ali, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jonny Bairstow (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Mark Wood, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James Anderson

Australia: 1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Pat Cummins (capt), 10 Todd Murphy, 11 Josh Hazlewood

Originally published as Ashes ‘carnage’ leaves us as confused as ever as key question remains unanswered