Australian media reeling as ‘brainless’ Ashes call vs England slammed | Cricket | Sport

Australia collapsed on the day one of the first Ashes Test as England’s fast bowling attack caught them cold to leave the tourists on top at Perth Stadium.  Although the Aussies removed England, who won the toss and decided to bat, for just 172 runs with Mitchell Starc taking SEVEN wickets, the hosts fell apart with their top order crumbling. 

Indeed, Jofra Archer removed Jake Weatherald and Marcus Labuschagne, while Brydon Carse got captain Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja out before Ben Stokes produced a stellar bowling performance to take five wickets and ensure Australia ended the opening day on 123-9, still 49 behind the tourists. Here is how the Australian media reacted to a dramatic first day in Perth…

Frailites remain

Fox Sports highlighted Australia’s “top-order frailties” with Weatherald going for a duck and Labuschagne hitting just nine runs before he was dismissed by a rampant Archer. Skipper Smith went for just 17 runs off 49 balls, while Khawaja was dismissed having scored just two runs in six balls. 

“However, top-order frailties remain a glaring concern for the Australians despite another batting reshuffle, at one stage collapsing to 4-31 after a high-octane burst from England’s pace battery,” Nic Savage of Fox Sports wrote.

“It was the most wickets taken on the first day of an Ashes Test since 1909, with Australian tailenders Nathan Lyon (3*) and Brendan Doggett (0*) unbeaten at stumps.”

Stokes then dismissed Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, with Australia ticking to 123 runs before Nathan Lyon and Brendan Doggett formed the 10th-wicket partnership before close of play. 

“Travis Head and Green steadied the ship with a 45-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Stokes brought himself into the attack and removed the duo in consecutive overs,” Savage added.

“The South Australian scooped a half-hearted pull shot towards mid-wicket before hometown hero Green, who earlier copped a nasty blow to the helmet, flashed at a wide delivery and feathered behind for 24.

“A frustrated Starc slogged towards mid-on for 12 before Carey, Australia’s last recognised batter, needlessly guided a short ball towards the boundary rider at deep third with less than 10 minutes remaining in the day, falling into an obvious trap.”

Carey’s dismissal in particular was described as “brainless” as the South Australian fell into the trap that had been set, and he knew his mistake straight away. “I can’t believe it,” ex-Australian batsman Mark Waugh said in commentary.

Savage continued: “Stokes, who finished the day with 5-23 from six overs, secured his sixth five-wicket haul in Tests when Boland edged to the slips cordon for a second-ball duck.

“Earlier, Doggett and Weatherald were presented their baggy greens, becoming Australia’s 472nd and 473rd men’s Test cricketers respectively. Elsewhere, England picked an all-pace attack for the Ashes opener, with spinner Shoaib Bashir carrying drinks in the West Australian capital.”

Starc on Khawaja situation

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja was caught up in a bizarre injury ruling on the first day of the first Ashes Test in Perth and deemed unable to open for the Aussies.

Khawaja spent limited time on the field as the Aussies tore through England to dismiss the tourists for just 172. Cricket Australia said Khawaja’s absence was due to “back stiffness”, with a back spasm later delaying his return.

Given the time Khawaja spent off the field during the England innings, the opener was deemed ineligible to come out to bat and had to wait to come in as number four. 

Mitchell Starc described the ordeal as “unfortunate”.

“I didn’t know about (Khawaja’s absence) until the ninth wicket – when he still had 10 minutes or so because he spent time off the field,” he said post-match. He had a back spasm there the second time he came off.

“We got caught off guard. It’s just unfortunate that was the case.”