First Test : Day 1 and Day 2

Steve Smith V Joe Root - who will win the Ashes?

With the arrival of this Ashes, real test match fans have started gathering around TV screens worldwide. It is a healthy sign for the future of Test cricket. 

The first and second day's play at the Gabba, Brisbane were quite dull in terms of run rate. But that excitement and that feeling of wonder about Ashes test matches was at its best. When Alistair Cook faced the first delivery from Mitchell Starc on the first morning of this Ashes, the entire stadium was jampacked.

James Vince scored a convincing 83 on the first day of the Ashes. 

England played slow and at the end of the day's play, they were 196 for 4 on the first day. On the second day they concluded their first innings at 302 all out. The highlights of the England first innings was a brilliant 83 from James Vince, 58 by Dawid Malan and 53 by opener Stoneman. Moin Ali, who has been very handy for England recently against West Indies, chipped in with a useful 38. I am sure, he is going to make an impact during this Ashes, no doubt about that. On behalf of Australia, it was Mitchell Starc, who was the most successful with 3 for 77. Pat Cummins took 3 for 85. Nathan Lyon bowled very well but managed just 2 wickets, whereas Hazlewood took 1. 

Australia's reply to England's 302 was slow too. After losing Bancroft for just 5, with the total at 7, Warner and Khwaja tried to steady the ship but in vain. Khwaja has always been a bit suspicious as regards his technic against spinners and Moin Ali proved that thing right. He dismissed Khwaja with a beauty that came onto his middle stump, hit his leg without hitting his bat. With Warner getting out on a lose shot off Ball at his score on 26, the Aussies were struggling at 59 for 3. Their woes deepened when Anderson got rid of the newbie Handscomb for 14. Shaun March walked in at no.6, getting an Ashes call back due to his recent domestic form, with Aussies staring down the barrel at 76 for 4. 

Steve Smith, who was batting very patiently at the other end teamed up with Marsh and they finished the day quite convincingly without losing any further wicket at 165 for 4. March was not out on 44 and Smith on 64. Smith was heading towards yet another test hundred. During the last 1 year he has been in an amazing form. His test average has gone above 60 once again. His average as a test captain is more than 71, which is second only to Sir Don Bradman!! This guy is a batting Genius!!!

If Australia can bat patiently further in this innings then they can think of establishing a comfortable first inninngs lead over England. Smith and Marsh both would be thinking on those terms. On the other hand, if England can dismiss Smith early tomorrow morning on day 3, it would mean a lot for them as the rest other batsmen are not that hard to get rid off. 

Overall, the first two days of this first Ashes test match have been intriguing and the same is very likely to remain for the last three. Dear Reader, I would like my posts to be interactive and hence I request you to present your comments down below in the comment section about how you felt about this blog or any thing else related to cricket. Thanks for reading the blog. 

-  Kamlesh Bhatt 
   (Author of "How to Succeed like Sachin Tendulkar")