Australia crumble in shambolic fashion as 19 wickets fall on chaotic first day of Ashes

3 months ago 18

Usman Khawaja’s decision to leave the field to stretch a sore back in England’s wobbly first innings became the unlikely catalyst for a dismal Australian batting display on day one of the Ashes, as the home side’s top order faltered in shambolic fashion.

Former Australia international Tom Moody criticised the team’s “poor management” after Marnus Labuschagne, listed to bat at No.3, was forced to open after England were bowled out for 172.

Australia soon found themselves in major trouble, losing four wickets inside 18 overs before limping to stumps at 9-123 from 39 overs, in scenes that were even more chaotic than last year’s Border-Gavaskar series opener when 17 wickets fell on day one.

England took day one honours after Alex Carey top scored for the hosts with 26 and Ben Stokes picked up 5-23. Jofra Archer (2-11) and Brydon Carse (2-45) landed further blows on a brittle Australian order.

In comical circumstances, Khawaja was unable to open with debutant Jake Weatherald because he had been off the field late in England’s innings. Under cricket’s playing conditions, a player cannot bat until they have spent the same amount of time on the field as they were absent. That forced Labuschagne to open for just the third time in his Test career. Khawaja was off for about 10 minutes.

When Weatherald was adjudged lbw for a second-ball duck to a searing full delivery from Archer, Khawaja was still unable to bat, leaving Steve Smith – Australia’s regular No.4 – exposed early as England hunted quick wickets.

Ben Stokes picked up five wickets as Australia crumbled in Perth.

It remains unclear whether Khawaja, Australia’s senior opener, would have taken the first ball instead of Weatherald, but it was a distraction the hosts did not need.

Cricket Australia said Khawaja battled back stiffness throughout the day and had a back spasm when he left the field.

England lost their last five wickets in 19 balls. Smith was seen gesturing urgently for Khawaja to return to the field, but by the time he did, he had not served enough time on the field to bat in his usual role. CA says he was not injured before the match.

Moody was scathing on ABC radio, describing the mix-up as “poor management” and “beyond a joke”.

Jofra Archer dismisses Jake Weatherald with just the second ball of Australia’s innings.

“Like Starc led the attack, we needed Uzzie to lead the batting,” he said.

Weatherald became the first Australian top-order batsman since Labuschagne to register a duck in his maiden Test innings as Archer and Carse reignited England’s Ashes campaign after their disastrous first innings.

The Khawaja confusion came before a major batting collapse, which will prompt questions about Australia’s preparations and ability to withstand a pace barrage from England’s speedsters.

Mitchell Starc picked up where he left off in the West Indies with a blistering opening spell that dented England’s confidence until a late flurry of wickets boosted morale.

Brydon Carse celebrates the wicket of Usman Khawaja.

With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood sidelined, Starc embraced the responsibility of leading Australia’s attack, bringing up his 100th Ashes wicket during a devastating haul of 7-58 from 12.5 overs.

After winning the toss, England lasted just 32.5 overs before being skittled for 172 – the fewest overs an England side has faced after choosing to bat first in a Test in Australia.

It was a day littered with ducks: Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Mark Wood and Weatherald were all dismissed without scoring as Australia reached 1-15 at tea.

Despite weeks of debate about who should partner Khawaja at the top, Labuschagne and Smith were together by the third ball of the innings.

Mitchell Starc picked up a career-best seven wickets in England’s first innings.

Weatherald became the first Australian since Labuschagne – on debut against Pakistan in Dubai in 2018 – to make a duck in his maiden Test innings. Travis Head also fell for a duck in that match. Other recognised Australians to do so this century are Nic Maddinson (2016), Phillip Hughes (2008) and Andrew Symonds (2004).

After shadow batting before play, Weatherald played and missed at his first ball before Archer beat him the next delivery - a review showing it would have hit middle and leg.

Labuschagne was bowled by Archer for nine, Smith edged to Harry Brook at second slip for 17 off Carse, and Khawaja’s lean Test run continued when he was caught behind for two. The 38-year-old has made one score above 90 in his last 45 Test innings.

Green chipped in with 24 but edged behind to Stokes, as Australia lost 5-45 late in the day.

Starc, though, bowled with pace and precision, taking the first three wickets of the innings in Crawley (duck), Ben Duckett (21) and Root (duck).

His dismissal of Root - bowling wide of off stump before straightening one to find the edge - was a clinical setup, removing England’s danger man for a seven-ball duck and extending his century-long drought on Australian soil.

Harry Brook (52 off 61) and Ollie Pope (46 off 58) counterpunched but failed to kick on as wickets tumbled around them.

Debutant Brendan Doggett claimed the key wicket of Brook, gloving behind to Alex Carey, and finished with an encouraging 2-27 from seven overs.

Scott Boland struggled, returning 0-62 from 10 overs after bowling too full, while Cameron Green trapped Pope lbw to end a 55-run stand and leave England teetering at 4-94.

England’s fearless Bazballers played with the promised bravado, but collapsed in a heap - losing 5-12 - to hand Australia a commanding early advantage, even without two of their frontline fast bowlers.

But it was not quite on the level of Australia’s self-implosion, which leaves a three-day Test a distinct possibility and the series on a knife-edge after just 71.5 overs of drama.