David Warner, Labuschagne put Australia in strong position

David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne struck the 90s in putting Australia in a strong position on Day One of the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
David Warner, Labuschagne put Australia in strong position

ADELAIDE: David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne struck the 90s in putting Australia in a strong position on Day One of the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. At stumps, Australia were 221/2 in 89 overs with Labuschagne (95) and Steve Smith (18) at the crease.

Things were chaotic for Australia before the start of the match. Regular captain Pat Cummins was ruled out after being deemed close contact of a Covid-19 case. It brought Steve Smith back as the captain for the first time since 2018. Cummi's' absence paved the way for pacer Michael Neser to debut in Test cricket apart from Jhye Richardson replacing an injured Josh Hazlewood in the playing eleven.

But Warner and Labuschagne laboured hard and got past testing periods to ensure Australia were in a strong position at the end of day one. England were left to rue their missed chances off Labuschagne twice in the day.

Labuschagne, who earlier braved a testing short-ball exam from Ben Stokes in the first session, received a reprieve on 21. Stokes had him edging a pull on a bouncer but it went high to the left of keeper Jos Buttler, who jumped to catch with both hands but 'ouldn't get hold of it.

Warner reached his 32nd Test fifty with a magnificent pull off Stokes, splitting deep square leg and deep backward square leg to perfection. Labuschagne also reached his 12th Test half-century by pushing Ollie Robinson to mid-off for three runs.

Post tea, things were going smooth for Australia till Ben Stokes struck to break the 172-run stand. Warner fell five short of century, looking to cut through the off-side but the ball went straight to the hands of Stuart Broad at the cover. It was also the second consecutive Test match where Warner was out in the 90s.

Brief Scores: Australia 221/2 in 89 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 95 not out, David Warner 95, Stuart Broad 1/34). IANS

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