England started Day Two of the Second Test with hopes high after Joe Root’s century but their first innings only added nine more runs before Jofra Archer was out for a Test career-high 38 to an outstanding catch in the deep by Marnus Labuschagne. England were all out for 334, leaving Root unbeaten on 138.
It was a difficult first session in the field. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith put down a simple catch from England’s destroyer in Perth, Travis Head, off the bowling of Archer, when he had scored 3 and that seemed to suck the life out of England’s bowlers.
The pitch offered little in the way of movement and the bowlers were unable to generate much swing. Head was starting to cut loose and Australia had moved to 77 without loss when Head skied a mistimed shot off Brydon Carse to Gus Atkinson at mid-on.
It was the break England desperately needed but their punishment soon resumed. Labuschagne came in at number 3 and flayed England’s bowlers around the ground. By the first break, Will Jacks’ opening over had cost 13 runs and Australia had moved ominously on to 130-1.
Smith’s drop offers defining image of opening session
The abiding image of the opening session was Jamie Smith staring at the floor after putting down the chance to dismiss Travis Head.
The bowler, Jofra Archer, had already started to celebrate when his brilliant ball squared Head up and took a thick edge but as he pointed his finger in triumph, the ball spilled from Smith’s gloves. It has been a difficult Test for the England keeper.
He was out second ball to Scott Boland on Thursday. He was a relieved man when Head was out for 33. The damage was limited but Australia were still off to a flier.
Australia’s start adds weight to England criticism
Australia’s start asked yet more awkward questions of England’s batsmen and their approach.
Head and Jake Weatherald offered studies in controlled aggression and their performances added more weight to the overnight criticism aimed at players such as Harry Brook who were deemed to have given their wickets away cheaply.
Weatherald impresses with maiden Test 50
It has been a good Test for the 66s. Joe Root, who wears that number on his back, scored that unbeaten century.
And Weatherald, who wears the same number, racked up an impressive half century from 45 balls just before the first break of the day.
Root earns Courier Mail reprieve… for now
Joe Root added another achievement to his first Test century in Australia before play started on Friday morning: he neutered Brisbane’s Courier Mail.
The local newspaper has been enjoying itself at the expense of Ben Stokes and his team this week but Root’s century and the last wicket stand between the former England skipper and Jofra Archer shut them up.
The Courier Mail lionised Mitchell Starc’s performance, of course, but it also gave begrudging credit to Root.
‘Mighty Joe conquers his final frontier,’ one of its headlines read.
If Australia continue to dominate the second day, however, it may only be a temporary reprieve.
Archer shows talent with the ball at his feet
Since injuries sustained by Joe Denly, Jonny Bairstow and Rory Burns, England’s players have abandoned the feisty games of football they used to contest before play as a warm-up routine.
Old habits die hard, though, and they were still kicking a ball around in rondos on the outfield before play at the Gabba this afternoon.
Jofra Archer looks like the stand-out talent, with his feet as well as his fast bowling. As the cliché goes, he has a nice touch for a big man.
In contrast, the Peter Kay ‘have-it’ role is taken by bowling coach David Saker, whose skills are not quite so silky.
Wood looks unlikely for Third Test return
Injured England fast bowler Mark Wood was wielding a bat in the warm-up this afternoon but not in anger.
Wood was wearing a knee-brace to protect the injury that ruled him out of the Second Test and suggested that it was unlikely he would be back for the Third Test.
‘I think there’s a chance for Adelaide,’ Wood said, ‘but more realistically, it’s probably more Melbourne and then after that. I need to get out of this brace first to get moving around.’
Lyon feeling ‘filthy’ after axe
It is a matter of regret that ‘filthy’ has largely fallen out of common use in England. Here in Brisbane, though, it was very much to the fore on Friday, courtesy of Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon was in a foul mood after he was dropped for a home Test for the first time in 12 years.
How had the conversation been between him and head of selectors, George Bailey, he was asked. ‘Short,’ Lyon said. How did he feel about the decision. ‘Absolutely filthy,’ he said.
Australia’s love of sport shines through
The fans spilling off the CityCat passenger ferry at Mowbray Park this morning on their way to the Gabba were greeted with disdainful glances by a lady with a walking stick.
‘Look at these cricket tragics,’ she said to the ferry conductor. Then she disappeared through a wicker gate into the East Brisbane Croquet Club.
In Australia, even if you don’t like cricket, you love sport.
