Australia took control on the first day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, despite England winning the toss and choosing to field. The Aussies finished the day at 339-5, thanks to impressive performances by David Warner, Steve Smith, and Travis Head, all of whom scored half-centuries.
On his Ashes debut, England bowler Josh Tongue made an impact by taking two wickets, while Joe Root contributed with two more late in the day.
Here’s a summary of day one of the second Test:
Stat of the day – Smith reaches 9,000 runs
In a remarkable innings, Steve Smith ended the day unbeaten on 85*, surpassing the career milestone of 9,000 runs in Test cricket. He became the 17th player in history to achieve this feat, accomplishing it in his 99th Test match. Notably, Smith became the first player to reach 9,000 runs before playing 100 Test matches. He achieved this milestone in his 174th Test innings, with only Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara reaching it in fewer innings (172). Furthermore, Smith is just 22 runs away from surpassing Steve Waugh as the fourth highest run-scorer in Ashes history.
Key articles from day one:
- Report: Steve Smith puts Australia ahead of England at Lord’s
- Vaughan criticizes England’s casual approach to Ashes cricket
- ‘Lord’s embodies English cricket and can drive much-needed change’
- Women’s Ashes: Tammy Beaumont credits pickle juice for success against Australia
Image of the day – Bairstow handles protests calmly
During the opening day, play was briefly interrupted by protesters wearing ‘Just Stop Oil’ t-shirts, who ran onto the field and released orange smoke. While the ground staff swiftly intervened, England’s wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow calmly carried one of the protesters for about 50 meters before handing them over to the authorities at the boundary rope.
Quote of the day – ‘You have to back up your words’
With England’s lackluster performance drawing criticism, former Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan emphasized the need for players to back up their off-field statements with on-field results. Vaughan suggested that young players should refrain from making bold statements during an Ashes series and instead focus on their performance.
“And finally…”
Although England’s overall display on the opening day was underwhelming, one positive aspect for Brendon McCullum’s team was the bowling performance of Josh Tongue, playing in only his second Test match and making his Ashes debut. Tongue claimed the prized wickets of Usman Khawaja and David Warner in the afternoon session, showcasing his express pace and causing Warner’s leg stump to shatter, along with the bails. Captain Ben Stokes presented Tongue with a piece of the broken stump as a unique memento after the dismissal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ashes Test
What happened on the first day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s?
Australia took control of the match despite England winning the toss and choosing to field. The Aussies ended the day at 339-5 with notable contributions from David Warner, Steve Smith, and Travis Head.
What milestone did Steve Smith achieve during the match?
Steve Smith reached the career milestone of 9,000 runs in Test cricket, becoming the 17th player in history to achieve this feat. He accomplished this in his 99th Test match, making him the only player to reach 9,000 runs before playing 100 Test matches.
How did Josh Tongue perform on his Ashes debut?
Josh Tongue made an impact on his Ashes debut by taking two wickets, including the prized dismissals of Usman Khawaja and David Warner. His express pace and ability to disturb Warner’s leg stump impressed during the match.
How did England’s performance on the first day of the Test match fare?
England’s performance was lackluster, drawing criticism from former Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan. He emphasized the need for players to back up their off-field statements with on-field performance and expressed disappointment in England’s casual approach to Ashes cricket.
How did Jonny Bairstow handle the interruption caused by protesters?
During the match, protesters ran onto the field and released orange smoke, briefly interrupting play. England’s wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow calmly carried one of the protesters for a distance before handing them over to the authorities, effectively minimizing the disruption.
More about Ashes Test
- Report: Steve Smith gives Australia edge over England at Lord’s
- England ‘too casual’ for Ashes cricket – Vaughan
- Women’s Ashes: Tammy Beaumont says pickle juice the secret of her success against Australia
- Image of the day – Bairstow keeps protests to a minimum
