Ashes 2021-22: 5th Test, Day 2 – Cummins’ spell puts Australia in ascendency

Australia ended Day 2 of the fifth Ashes Test match with their scorecard reading 37/3, and are currently ahead of England by 152 runs. Once again, England put up a shoddy show with the willow and were bowled out for 188 in their first innings. In this article, let us take a look at the three talking points of Day 2.

Australia do not use their DRS reviews properly 

The Aussies did not use the Decision Review System (DRS) properly and handed lifelines to both Rory Burns and Dawid Malan. Burns was handed a reprieve in the very first over of the England innings, as he edged Starc to the keeper. However, the Aussies did not appeal. It did not cost the kangaroos much as Burns was dismissed in the next over for a duck.

The same was the case with Malan. Off the 3rd delivery of the 16th over, Malan edged Chris Green to the keeper, and Australia once again failed to take the review. Malan was batting on 13 at that time and went on to score 25.

Pat Cummins rips through the England batting lineup

Pat Cummins was sensational with the ball in hand on Day 2. The Aussie skipper bagged a four-wicket haul and rattled the opposition batters. Cummins first scalped the wicket of Zak Crawley and followed that up by picking up the wicket of Dawid Malan, who edged the pacer to the wicketkeeper.

Captain gets captain!

Pat Cummins traps Joe Root lbw and the England skipper is gone! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/27jLfha9gK

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 15, 2022

Cummins picked up his opposite number, Joe Root, who was trapped plumb in front by an in dipper from Cummins. Cummins then cleaned up Mark Wood to pick up his 4th wicket.

David Warner bags a pair

David Warner was dismissed for a duck in the second innings of the fifth Ashes Test match. Stuart Broad scalped Warner’s wicket in the very first over of the Aussie second innings. Warner recorded a pair in the Test match, as he was dismissed for a 22-ball duck in the first innings.