ADELAIDE: Australian batters, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, batted brilliantly and partnered strongly to help Australia to score 221/2 on the first day of second Ashes Test.
Both, Warner and Labuschagne, scored 95 each; Warner, however, dismissed after playing a loose shot straight to cover; handing an easy catch to Stuart Broad. This is the second instance when Warner missed his century in the ongoing Ashes.
Labuschagne, on the other hand, is not-out for his 95; having lucky as Jos Buttler dropped him twice on 21 and 95. The batter faced a mammoth 275 balls; for his current individual score. He smashed seven boundaries in his inning so far.
Earlier, Australia were off to a poor start; losing their opening batter, Marcus Harris at a combined score of four; Buttler took a blinder off Broad’s superb delivery to dismiss the batter on his individual score of three.
Harris’s early dismissal did not halt the Kangaroos much as their star-pair, Warner and Labuschagne recorded an astonishing 172-runs partnership before Warner’s dismissal.
The standing captain, Steven Smith, then, also showed responsibility; ensuring not to giveaway any wickets, and stood firm for his 18 not-out off 71 balls.
Labuschagne (95*) and Smith (18*) will resume the proceedings for Australia at 221/2 on the second day of the ongoing Test.
For England, Broad and Ben Stokes took a wicket each.
