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Ashes 2023 | Smith, Head, Warner Punish England As AUS Take Day 1 Command in 2nd Test

image-ljg1q6hoSteve Smith and Travis Head in action on Day 1 (Twitter)

Australia took home the opening day honors of the second Test of the 2023 Ashes series. After being put to bat first by hosts England, three of Australian batters charted sparkling half-centuries as they finished the day at a commanding 339-5.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith is nearing another Test ton as he will resume his side’s first-innings task on Day 2 at 85*, alongside wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

Visitors assert dominance between Tongue’s early and Root’s late strikes

Australian opener David Warner safely negated Stuart Broad and James Anderson’s new-ball threat before unleashing a rapid 66 at the top of the order. The left-hander faced just 88 deliveries in the process, and formed a 73-run opening stand with in-form Usman Khawaja.

Both were cleaned up by Josh Tongue, and their dismissals paved the way for batting talismans Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith. The duo shared 102 runs for the third wicket, before Smith added another 118 runs with Travis Head.

Smith charted an undefeated 85 from 149 balls, in a knock glittered with 10 elegant boundaries. The cricketer also completed 9,000 Test runs, and became the second fastest in the format’s history to do so.

Head, meanwhile, gave the Englishmen a taste of their own ‘BazBall’ medicine as the dynamic stroke-maker listed an attacking 73-ball 77.

England’s part-time spinner and full-time legend Joe Root dismissed Head and newcomer Cameron Green in a space of four deliveries to give his side some much needed breakthroughs late in the day.

Australia eventually reached 339-5 off 83 overs by stumps, with Smith and Alex Carey batting at the crease.

Brief Scores:

Australia:
Steve Smith 85* (149), Travis Head 77 (73)
Joe Root 2-19 (8), Josh Tongue 2-88 (18)

England won the toss and opted to field first.