Ashes 2019: 4th Test – Smith, Labuschagne dominate rain-interrupted Day 1
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne again proved to be the thorn in England’s flesh on Day 1 of the 4th Ashes Test in Manchester. The pair steadied the ship on a rain-interrupted day as only 44 overs of play was possible at Old Trafford. Heading into day 2, the wicket of Smith will again be crucial for England as they look to curtail the scoring. The Aussies, on the other hand, will hope that their talisman can build a partnership with Travis Head who is looking in decent form to build upon their total of 170-3.
Here we take a look at the key talking points from Day 1 of the Manchester Test:
Australia’s opening conundrum
AGAIN!! 🙌
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/rDgrysSBQA#Ashes pic.twitter.com/CaL95C0AEe
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 4, 2019
The Australian openers, whatever the combination, have struggled miserably against the new ball. The trend continued as both Warner and his partner Harris were cheaply dismissed without making a noticeable contribution. Warner, in particular, will be worried about the manner in which he has found Stuart Broad unplayable. He was dismissed for a duck by the English spearhead, the fifth time he has gotten the better of Warner this series. Broad then followed it up by getting the scalp of Harris, when Australia had barely recovered. Reeling at 28-2, it was again up to Smith and Labuschagne, Australia’s two leading lights to steady the ship.
Still no answer to the Steve Smith mystery
England are yet to figure out how to get rid of Steve Smith. Returning after missing out on the Headingley Test due to concussion, Smith batted as he had never been away. He was ugly at times, as he always is. The shot with which he brought up his half-century did incite a chuckle or two. But he brilliantly blunted out the English attack along with Labuschagne. The pair knitted up a partnership of 116 just as England had one foot inside the door. Finally, the stand was broken by Craig Overton, who constantly hit a nagging line and bowled Labuschagne on 67. It was heartbreak for him, as he was looking good for his maiden Test century. But with Smith still at the crease at 60* and the pitch being a good one for batting, England will be fearing the worse.
Archer under-par
One concerning issue for England will be the form of Jofra Archer. He has quickly established himself as England’s most potent weapon with a staggering impact in a couple of Test matches. But he looked well and truly under the par on Day 1 at Old Trafford. The rhythm quite wasn’t there and the pace was down. Though he bowled economically, England will hope that Archer rediscovers his mojo in order to give them the edge in the battle against a sturdy Smith.
Brief scores: Australia 170-3 (Marnus Labuschagne 67, Steve Smith 60*; Stuart Broad 2-35) vs England.
