Australia has cruised to a massive nine-wicket victory in the first Ashes Test at Brisbane, but Aussie fans will be eagerly awaiting news on how David Warner and Josh Hazlewood pull up.
The Test was Australia’s to lose for the majority of the four days after their quick start on Wednesday, and they’ll head into the second Test with a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
It’s gifted Pat Cummins a dream start to the Australian captaincy.
The Test match was evenly poised on the morning of Day 4 after an English fightback, the tourists less than 60 runs behind with set batsmen Joe Root and Dawid Malan at the crease.
However, the duo was dismissed early in the day’s play for 89 and 82 respectively before the remaining middle order and tail crumbled to set the Australians a total of just 20 to chase down.
Marcus Harris and Alex Carey opened for the Aussies in the second session, Warner opting to stay in the sheds.
Carey was dismissed for nine runs by Chris Woakes, however Harris knocked the winning runs shortly after to finish on nine not out.
Warner was hit in the ribs while batting during Day 2 and didn’t take to the field during England’s second innings.
The second Test in Adelaide begins in five days on December 16 and The Australian’s Peter Lalor told SEN Test Cricket during the morning’s play that the opener had to be in doubt for the match.
Quick bowler Josh Hazlewood may also be in doubt, after failing to bowl in the last session on Day 3. Cummins confirmed post-match his fast bowler was “sore”, however Hazlewood did return to the crease and claimed the wicket of Jos Buttler for 23 on the final day.
Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and especially Travis Head were impressive with the bat for the Aussies in the first innings, while Cummins finished with seven wickets for the match.
Head was announced man of the match for his 152 off 148 balls.
Nathan Lyon also took his 400th Test wicket and became just the third Australian to reach that mark, while debutant Alex Carey took eight catches behind the stumps.
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