The Ashes 2021/22, 2nd Test, Day 1: Labuschagne, Warner put Australia on top

Australia secured an early advantage in the game after finishing Day 1 of the second Ashes Test match, at Adelaide Oval, on 221/2. David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne blunted the English pace attack with their solid defence after they lost Marcus Harris to Stuart Broad early in the day.

Labuschagne is unbeaten on 95. With him is Steven Smith on the end, who took over as captain after Pat Cummins was ruled out as a precautionary measure. Cummins came in close contact with a Covid-19 infected person, but has returned negative for the RT-PCR test conducted later in the afternoon. 

England's four-pronged pace attack looked one-dimensional, and their incision wore off as the day passed, making batting easy for both Warner and Labuschagne. There was not much movement available for the pacers, and Ben Stokes soon resorted to short-pitched bowling.  

Stokes nearly got Labuschagne when he attempted to pull but only gloved the ball to Buttler, who made a mess of the chance. When James Anderson tried to attack by pulling back his length, Labuschagne and Warner responded with pulls.

Warner started playing more fluently once he reached his fifty, the third-slowest of his Test career. He moved to 95 with a glorious pull as neither fielder stationed on the rope could trace the ball. He hit the next ball to Broad.

Labuschagne also rode his luck, when a thick edge off Anderson was dropped by Buttler towards the end of the day. On Day 2, Australia will look to score quicker, and put in England at least for an hour under the night sky. 

Australia 221/2 (Marnus Labuschagne 95*; Stuart Broad 1-34) vs England.