2nd Test Day 1: "Send 'Em In" Joe as England Change Tack in Search of Victory

In 2002/03, Nasser Hussain made one of the biggest calls of his captaincy career when he won the toss at Brisbane for the 1st Test of the Ashes series, and sent Australia in to bat. 2/380 followed on that first day, and the series was more or less sealed from that point on. In 2005, Glenn McGrath rolled his ankle in practice and was ruled out of the 2nd Test of the Ashes series, and yet when Ricky Ponting won the toss he too chose to bowl. England made 400 in the day, and though Australia almost pulled off a miracle, the loss was the start of the slide to defeat in the series. These two decisions by captains to send in their opponents are now folklore in Ashes cricket, and in a few short days we will know whether a third one is to join them, after Joe Root won the toss here in Adelaide and decided to insert the Australians on Australia’s flattest Test pitch in the day/night Test.

• Despite the overcast conditions, the pitch looked to be a special, though Root may also have been persuaded by the fact that in the only two day/night Tests played in Adelaide, the team batting first has lost. Early on though it didn’t look great, as the bowling was not at its best, and not in the right areas. England’s first piece of good fortune came from the rain that then delayed play, and enabled the team to reset and start again. It also brought Australia closer to the time when they would have to bat under lights, which was an advantage for the bowling team.
• The second piece of fortune for England was Dave Warner selling his partner up the river and having him palpably run out when Australia was on top. It was a dreadful mix up. One of the first things every junior in the nation is taught is “don’t run on a misfield”. And yet here, this is exactly what Warner did, calling his partner through, and then when trouble emerge, turned back faster than a Mitchell Starc bouncer, stranding Bancroft mid-pitch, with his only hope that the throw would not be a direct hit. It was.
• The usual story with the pink ball was once again the case today, as none of the batsmen looked at any stage as if they were well and truly in. Everything was a struggle, and they had to fight hard for every run they managed to get. Occasionally they were able to flourish with a cover drive or a punch through mid-wicket, but nothing flowed from the bat.
• Australia’s three biggest batsmen all made the start they would have hoped for, but all fell without being able to turn it into a big score. Both Warner and Khawaja were caught behind playing shots they probably didn’t have to. Warner’s 47 was as awkward as he can look when bottled up, but he would have been disappointed getting out when he did. Khawaja looked the most comfortable, and had moved easily to 53 before he flashed at one he didn’t need to. He looked more comfortable against Ali than he had in Brisbane which was another positive.
• Between Tests England has made sure they have voiced their opinion that Australia are once again the ‘bullies’ when it comes to sledging. The majority of their media has jumped on board also. “Australia are the bad guys” once again seems to be the case to be heard. As it turns out, this was turned around on the Australian captain on Day 1. He was subject to taunts especially from Broad and Anderson, and also had Anderson placed next to him at the non-strikers end to get into his head. Smith gave as good as he got and Umpire Dar had to step in a couple of times to try and keep them apart. When Smith played on for 40, the England camp claimed they had gotten inside his head and he was frazzled. Khawaja simply said he felt they had just switched him on even more. Either way, what would the media say if Smith came out and claimed England were being bullies? England can’t have it both ways, claiming to be the victim while then going out and doing the same thing. If they think they won by dismissing Smith for 40, then it seems a bit like they claimed 85 years ago when Bodyline cut Bradman’s series average to ‘only’ 50. The second innings will be interesting.
• In a tough last hour under the lights, Handscomb (36) and Marsh (20) played well to ensure Australia finished with at least their share of the day’s play at 4/209 off 81 overs. England on the other hand will be disappointed they weren’t able to pry out another couple of wickets in the twilight. Despite having the top four back in the pavilion it is a long day for only four wickets. It is a similar situation to the first day of the 1st Test, with not too many runs having been scored to think Australia are away. Early wickets tomorrow would put England back in charge.

It has been an intriguing day’s play, and given Australia was sent in they would consider themselves in front. On the other hand Smith had said he would bat if he’d won the toss, so if that had occurred and the same score was applicable would they feel as happy? Perhaps Day 2 can answer that question more authoritatively.