Ashes 2017-18, 5th Test, Day 2 – 5 Talking Points

Day 2 witnessed an action-packed morning as England’s tail frustrated the Australian bowlers. The morning largely belonged to the visitors, though, they had to recover from the shock of coughing up two wickets in the last eight balls of day one. Joe Root once again failed to convert a half-century into a ton and Jonny Bairstow played a loose shot to Josh Hazlewood as the decision not to send a nightwatchman in ahead of him proved fatal.

The Lions eventually culminated their innings for 346, with their last five wickets adding 113 runs. Day 2 was typified by two dreadful dropped catches by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, which have been declared among the worst dropped catches in modern professional cricket. Cummins, however, did his best to make up for his fielding gaffe by taking two important wickets to finish as the best of the bowlers with figures of 4/80.

1. England’s lower order contribution

Broad scored an integral 31 for the tourists after the Lions two successive wickets in the last couple of overs of day one. England’s tail made most of the reprieves on the morning of Day 2 as Tom Curran’s frustrated the Aussie bowlers with his cameo of 39 runs. Moeen Ali also registered a confident 30 before both fell victims to the pace of Cummins.

2. Cummins’ effort

Pat Cummins finally dismissed Moeen Ali with a ripping short ball that flew under the batsman’s nose and collected a piece of his glove on the way through to Tim Paine. There was, however, a little celebration as Cummins had minutes earlier dropped Tom Curran from a sitter. Ali was dismissed for 30, leaving England 7/294.

He also ended debutant Tom Curran’s frustrating cameo on 39 runs with another fierce short ball. Cummins’ bouncer jumped up at Curran’s chest, leaving the batsman desperately throwing his bat in defence. He was bowling with hostility and, ended with figures of 4/80, but he and Josh Hazlewood were both guilty of awful dropped catches of Curran and Moeen respectively.

3. Lions bowled out cheap

England started Day 2 after posting an overnight score of 233-5. On a pitch that remains excellent for batting, albeit showing consistent signs of turn, they had the opportunity to establish their dominion on the tourists and get on the driver’s seat. However, a quick succession of wickets saw England reduced to 346-all out forcing the umpires to call an early lunch.

4. Smith-Khawaja partnership – Australia in a strong position

England had the hosts in a precarious position after the loss of David Warner as the Aussies sat at 2/86, enter Steve Smith. Along with Usman Khawaja, the duo combined for a 100-run partnership to lead Australia out of a sticky situation. They looked incredibly comfortable at the crease as no English bowler was able to throw them off of their guard.

5. Khawaja approaching a hundred

Australia laid a platform from which they can take control of the final Ashes Test against England on the second day in Sydney. Usman Khawaja’s unbeaten 91 took the home side to 193/2. Australia is currently 153 runs behind after stumps on Day2. Khawaja shared stands of 85 with David Warner, who made 56, and an unbroken 107 with captain Steve Smith, ominously placed on 44 not out.