The Ashes 2021/22 second Test LIVE updates: Labuschagne eyes Test century No.6 as England search for wickets
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Warner falls in the 90s for the second Test in a row
‘David Warner the Bull became the battler, obstructing England rather than obliterating the old enemy before just missing another century.
Carrying badly bruised ribs into the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, Warner took 53 balls to reach double figures, his slowest start during a usually dominant decade, before scoring 95 obstinate runs.
It followed his determined 94 in the first Test at Brisbane’s Gabba which helped set up a nine-wicket win in 3½ days.
Warner couldn’t believe it when he slapped a short, wide ball from Ben Stokes to Stuart Broad at cover within sight of a 25th century and fifth at the Adelaide Oval, where he averages more than 80. He stood for a moment, left hand over his face, trying to comprehend what he had done.’
READ MALCOLM CONN’S PIECE ON WARNER HERE
How big can Australia go today?
Here’s how the first day unfolded
Marnus Labuschagne is on the cusp of a maiden Ashes century that will reaffirm his status as Australia’s most bankable batter, as England paid for their snail-like play before what looms as a hellish Friday for the visitors.
Sidelined skipper Pat Cummins would have enjoyed what he saw from isolation as his charges did a Paul Keating on Joe Root’s men, doing them slowly on a grinding first day at Adelaide Oval.
Cummins’ shock omission and the injury-enforced absence of Josh Hazlewood gave England hope for better days in Adelaide but if fortune favours the brave, then the visitors got what they deserved for their lack of adventure.
They inflicted more damage to themselves when wicketkeeper Jos Buttler fluffed the most straightforward of chances from Labuschagne on 95, having already grassed him on 21.
READ THE FULL DAY ONE RECAP HERE
Hello and welcome
Good afternoon cricket fans,
Welcome back to our live blog of the second Ashes Test.
Australia dominated day one in Adelaide, finishing the day on 2-221 thanks to digs of 95 apiece from David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne.
It was a day to forget for England, who dropped a couple of chances in the field and were made to pay for bowling too short and not getting enough balls at the stumps.
England’s Jos Buttler, centre, looks up after dropping a catching chance against Marnus Labuschagne. Credit:AP
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