Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Day 1: 5 Talking Points

The opening Test between Australia and Pakistan began on a one-sided note as the hosts took the lead by finishing on highly satisfying 288/3 at stumps at the Gabba, Brisbane. The Day-night fixture had many moments where Pakistan looked to be dominating but Steve Smith, who scored his 16th Test century along with Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb piloted Australia to a dominating position by the end of play.

1.Even opening session:

The opening session saw Pakistan made a good comeback after David Warner and Matt Renshaw gave a healthy start to Australia’s innings. It was mostly calm and the duo stuck to getting runs at a healthy rate, Pakistan’s new ball pair of Rahat Ali and Mohammad Amir were not in the equation with the new ball and later Wahab Riaz also faced a similar situation as Warner and Renshaw added 70 runs for the opening wicket.

However, the happy moment for the tourists came in the 24^th over when Amir trapped Warner LBW and get Pakistan its first wicket of the match. Yasir Shah, who build up his momentum, struck in the next over to put Pakistan in the contest again. In what can be called as insensible shot, Usman Khawaja tried stepping out and flicked a good length ball straight to the hand of Misbah ul Haq standing at short mid wicket.

2. Matt Renshaw impresses again:

Matt Renshaw was once again played a fabulous knock. The 20-year-old, who had a silent debut against South Africa at Adelaide, proved his potential today with a wonderfully compiled 71 studded with 9 boundaries. Hs stay at the crease was instrumental in Australia pressing down Pakistan in the first half of the day.

He got himself involved in two major stands. The first came with Warner with whom he added 70 runs for the opening wicket before the latter departed. Later, he formed another productive stand worth 76 runs for the 4th wicket with skipper Steve Smith to put Australia in a dominating position.

3. Steve Smith – The excited baby & the new ball drama:

Steve Smith saw nervous energy playing with his mind when standing two runs short of his 16th Test century. Smith found himself struggling against the second new ball which was taken after the 80th over. As soon as it was available, Misbah ul Haq took it and brought hi lead bowlers – Mohammad Amir and Rahat Ali back to the attack with an aim was to get late wickets.

The move worked some extent as both the high quality left arm bowlers teased and tested Smith with nagging lines outside the off stumps leaving Smith craving for the two runs which were needed to complete the milestone. The very first over with the new ball from Amir saw Smith survive lucky chances when a vicious good length delivery curved away and beat the bat to go straight into the hand of Sarfraz. It was a close chance but none of the Pakistani went up for an appeal!

The ball, which at first seemed like to have only beat the outside edge, had in fact taken a small edge, revealed the Hotspot. A couple of overs later, Amir took a more clear edge off Handscomb’s bat which luckily for Australia, fell short of the third slip. Smith eventually was able to overcome the challenge and reached his century an over later with a boundary. Two overs before the close of play, Ali created another huge chance when a nick off Handscomb flew off the hands of the first slip.

4. Oh dear! Amir gives a scare:

Pakistan suffered a huge loss in the last session when Mohammad Amir had to be taken off the field due to an injury to the leg. The incident happened in the 70th over when Amir was left to deal with pain in the right knee due to a fielding mess-up. Pakistan was still grinding to break the Steve Smith – Peter Handscomb and Wahab Riaz continued his well. The first ball was defended for no runs by Handscomb but the second ball made Pakistan fans shout ‘Oh Dear!’

Amir’s attempt to slide and collect the ball went awry as his right knee stuck in the field and caused a painful disruption, leaving the left arm fast bowler in writing pain. But, unfortunately, the ball, much to the frustration of Amir, trickled away to the boundary.

The physio and the team doctor quickly came out and carried off the field on a golf cart. Amir had earlier attempted a silly dive at mid-on in the 17th over. Luckily for Pakistan, the left arm fast bowler, easily most important bowler in the Pakistan bowling setup made a quick recovery and was back in the 75th over of the match and was brought back to the attack as soon as the new ball was taken in the 80th over.

5.Peter Handscomb’s supporting act:

The departure of Matt Renshaw did not bring any respite for Pakistan as Peter Handscomb grabbed the opportunity of solidifying his position in the middle order by producing year another superb knock.

The right-handed batsman from Victoria forged with and smooth looking skipper and put up an unbeaten 137 runs stand for the 4th wicket. He made returned unbeaten on 64 and his contribution helped Australia finish on a high on day one.