Ashes: Labuschagne, Warner Star In Australia's Day Out At Adelaide

AUS v ENG: A 172-run partnership between Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner helped Australia close the first day of the second Ashes test on a high with the score reading 221/2. 

Australia didn't start well after Pat Cummins got ruled out of the test after being in close contact with a covid infected person. Steve Smith came out for the toss and opted to bat first. 

Veterans James Anderson and Stuart Broad started with the new pink ball and were on the money from the first ball. They didn't allow openers Marcus Harris and David Warner to score easy runs. 

Harris was saved by DRS after Broad struck him on the pads but couldn't survive long as Jos Buttler grabbed a stunning catch diving to his right. 

England continued to bowl tight as Warner got off to the slowest start of his Test career. Labuschagne, too, didn't look comfortable in getting runs and had to play the waiting game.

In the post-dinner session, Warner and Labuschagne looked more solid. Although England continued to bowl tight lines and no easy runs were on offer, but the duo looked better assured to deal with England's changing tactics. 

Joe Root tried the conventional tactics but wasn't shy to bounce the Aussies with close-in fielders. With not much help for the bowlers, Root himself had to chip in with a few overs to keep the overrate in check. 

The duo added 172 runs for the second wicket in 345 balls. Both Warner and Labuschagne were looking good to get their respective centuries. However, Warner fell on 95. He tried to get the ball through the cover region but found the only man standing in the ring on the offside to get caught out. 

Captain Smith arrived to join Labuschagne at the crease. England sniffed a comeback here but the two were as usual solid at the crease and gave almost nothing away to the bowlers despite them bowling with the second new ball. 

Labuschagne, though, had a moment to shrug off where he was dropped on 95 by Buttler. It was a regular catch but the English wicketkeeper couldn't hold on to it and give life to Australia's number three. 

With tight bowling, Labuschagne couldn't reach his century today will have to wait for tomorrow to grab his chance to reach the triple-figure mark alongside Steve Smith. 

Brief Scorecard: 

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22 - England vs Australia Schedule and Squads

Australia - 221/2 in 89 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 95*, David Warner - 95; Stuart Broad - 1/34)