Ashes 2017: Late strikes help Australia share honours with England after Day 1

Ashes
Pat Cummins being congratulated by teammates after taking the wicket of England captain Joe Root. Image Source: twitter

Internet Desk: Late strikes from the hosts helped Australia share the honours after Day 1 of the first Ashes test at Brisbane on Thursday. England at stumps was 196/4 when bad light stopped play at Gabba. England’s James Vince (83 runs), was brilliantly run out towards the end of the day to leave the test finely balanced after the first day.

Vince made a memorable Ashes debut as it was his knock that paved the way for England to post a huge first innings total after the failures of Captain Joe Root and experienced Alastair Cook. The former England captain was the first to depart after he edged a delivery from Starc to Handscombe at slips. Cook lasted for only 10 balls before getting out for only 2 runs.

Vince was joined by Stoneman as they shared a brilliant second wicket stand of 125 runs. Stoneman was the next English batsman to depart as Cummins went through his defence to get him bowled for 53 runs.

England captain Root also did stay long at the crease. Root was given out leg before to Cummins after a successful review. Root scored just 15 runs off 50 balls.

Vince had his share of luck as he was earlier put down by recalled wicketkeeper Tim Paine off Lyon on 68 runs. It took a special piece of fielding from Lyon to end Vince’s 170-ball, four-hour vigil and give the Australians hope on a rugged first day on an unresponsive Gabba pitch.
At stumps, Dawid Malan was batting on 28 along with Moeen Ali, whose 13 included the day’s only six.