Twitter reactions: Rory Burns’ ton keeps England in firm command

Steve Smith‘s fightback helped Australia stay alive in the game on first day, but England had a stellar reply on cards for their oldest rivals on the second day. With Rory Burns registering his first Test hundred, the hosts very cautiously played out the second day. The Aussies struggled to make an impact and most of their plans were getting nullified.

There was some early joy for the Australians with James Pattinson dismissing Jason Roy. But Joe Root and Rory Burns made life very difficult for the bowlers. Root had a fantastic campaign in the World Cup and the confidence was showing with the willow while he was in the middle. He looked in complete control of what he was doing, thus helping Burns do his business smoothly.

The duo batted sensibly till the end of the session and steered the side past the 150-run mark right after the lunch break. Burns and Root had completed their half-centuries and the duo added 132 runs for the second wicket. Once again, the English skipper’s poor conversion rate in Tests came into limelight as he now has 42 scores between 50 and 99.

Burns and Stokes end the day on a high

Denly found it difficult to get going and Pattinson made merry of his adversity. Pat Cummins came back into the attack to dismiss Jos Buttler cheaply as the Australian quicks found some much-needed momentum before heading into the final session. The quick flurry of wickets wasn’t helping Burns, who was inching closer to a maiden hundred.

Ben Stokes provided the support which was necessary for the 28-year-old to complete his ton and after some hours of hardships, the joy was palpable. The likes of Nathan Lyon and Pattinson failed to capitalize on the little momentum they had and allowed Stokes and Burns to build another partnership.

Ben Stokes, who had a final to remember at the Lord’s a fortnight ago, looked fairly comfortable in the middle and tackled the new ball beautifully as well. Cummins and Siddle too couldn’t do much with the second new ball as England finished the day losing just four wickets. Although they didn’t surpass Australia’s first innings score yet, that will only be a formality on Saturday. Burns remained unbeaten on 125 off 282 deliveries while Stokes will continue at 38 off 71 on the third day.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to an action-packed day’s play.

Get in!!!! Massive congrats skip. @roryburns17 #ton https://t.co/1h78ADfbzu

— Rikki Clarke (@RikkiClarke81) August 2, 2019

Well played Burns! Maiden ton must be a sweet feeling and if it comes in the #Ashes, even better! He looks a serious Test special????

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) August 2, 2019

Oh…. so that’s why Matt Wade is in the team.

— stu macgill (@scgmacgill) August 2, 2019

Well played @roryburns17 ???? #TheAshes2019

— Matt Prior (@MattPrior13) August 2, 2019

???? YEEEEESSSS @roryburns17!!! ????

MAIDEN TEST CENTURY!!

Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/S6XCxN7Zbj#Ashes pic.twitter.com/kQ1XGVVQmU

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 2, 2019

Fair play Rory Burns. I did not see this happening when watching him bat last week at lords. As Alec Stewart told me he is mentally very strong and once in hard to dislodge. Cracking test match cricket this. #thebestformat #Ashes #Ton

— Niall John O Brien (@niallnobiobrien) August 2, 2019

Well played Burns!! He may look limited and may have weaknesses but boy he played to his strengths. This is why we love the game. Well done ???????????????? #Ashes

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) August 2, 2019

Proper Test Batting .. Whoever has worked with Rory Burns this week to get his hands closer & tighter to his body needs an applause .. Looked great in that session .. #Ashes

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 2, 2019

Rory Burns … That’s what you call a Proper Test match hundred … Incredible mentality & technique shown … An #Ashes centurion … ????

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 2, 2019

Woke up this morning and saw these pictures… For a minute I thought England had won the Ashes ???????? But then realised just taken a wicket #ashes2019 #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/53TOQxS4CT

— Damien Martyn (@damienmartyn) August 2, 2019

Rory Burns worked seriously hard between the Ireland Test (when all the Sky pundits said they’d drop him, and most fans seemed to agree) and the Ashes.

Richly deserved century for a player who does it his way and never shirks responsibility.

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) August 2, 2019

Pat on the head from Ben Stokes, before handshakes from David Warner and Usman Khawaja, as Rory Burns walks off unbeaten on 125. Has batted for 402 minutes. Vital knock

— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) August 2, 2019