England managed to advance on the opening day of the Sydney Ashes Test after bowling Australia out for 126 for 3. On a rain-hit, start-stop day, when only 46.5 overs were possible, the hosts had to wobble late.
A Toss Delayed Due to Rain :-
Only 21.4 overs were possible till the tea break where Australia was reducing to 56 for 1 wicket. The toss was delaying due to an early morning shower but once the coin fell in Pat Cummins’ favor, the Australia captain did not hesitate to bat first.
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The first break came after 4.3 overs when Australia was 8 for no loss as a passing shower took the players off the field.
James Anderson and Stuart Broad had settled into a good rhythm before the break, but once they resuming, Warner was capable of breaking the shackles.
In the seventh over, Warner took two fours, a four off the bat and the next in the form of a leg bye, to push the score against Anderson.
A Decided to Bring in Ben Stokes :-
Joe Root decided to bring in Ben Stokes as the first change but immediately put on Mark Wood in the next over to give a break to his experienced bowlers.
After the lunch break, Broad made his first breakthrough when he caught Warner for 30 at the second slip. Warner chases a wide and the ball is thrown to Crowley. He played a similar shot in the 18th over – against Anderson and widened the ball to Crowley.
In the last session, it looked like England was going to continue their fight for the series as Marcus Harris (38) and Marnus Labuschagne (28) put on a partnership of half-centuries to take the team past 100.
The Patient Innings of 109 Balls :-
But it was Anderson who gave his team the opening to slip Harris after a patient 109-ball knock.
The big break then came from Mark Wood’s generosity. Labuschagne once again missed. As he did in Melbourne in the last Test. And finished off a delivery to the ‘keeper’ from wide of the crease.
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Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja scored 9 off 40 before another rain spell determined that no further play was possible that day.
Brief Scores: Australia 126/3 (Marcus Harris 38; James Anderson 1-24) vs England in 46.5 overs.
