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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jonathan Howcroft and Vithushan Ehantharajah

Ashes 2017-18: Australia v England second Test, day one – as it happened

That’s all from here. Join us tomorrow for day two. England have a new ball that’s moving and two batsmen who will need to start again. Kevin Pietersen gets the last word:

“We were pretty happy to bowl first,” says debutant Craig Overton. Overhead conditions, pink ball and enough in the pitch to get them out there as soon as the rain moved on.

On his maiden Test wicket of Steve Smith: “It was a little bit of a cross-seam ball. It skidded on a bit too, which was nice.” He also reveals that Steve Smith wasn’t entirely complimentary about the 23-year-old...

Considering how difficult batting looked – all bar Usman Khawaja had to grind – England didn’t really take advantage and allowed David Warner, Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb to get more than they should have. One criticism you could level at all four seamers is that they bowled a touch too short and were too drawn in by Smith and Handscomb’s, ermmm, weirdness.

STUMPS

81st over: Australia 209-4 (Handscomb 36, Marsh 20) Shape, carry but no dice for England or James Anderson. A single to both batsmen ends a day that probably belongs to Australia. Reasons being, you’d hope to take more than four wickets in 81 overs after you opt to bowl first. It’s not Nasser-Brisbane bad, but Joe Root must be wondering if he made the right call earlier today. A few words exchanged between Anderson and Handscomb as the players make their way off...

No idea what was said, but a bit needless from Jimmy. Save it for tomorrow.

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80th over: Australia 207-4 (Handsomb 35, Marsh 19) Broad finishes his day’s work with a maiden. He gets his floppy hat back from the umpire, puffing his ruddy cheeks and taking up his position at mid on. He doesn’t look in a good way. Anyway, the new ball is run out and England will have one over of it tonight.

79th over: Australia 207-4 (Handscomb 35, Marsh 19) Much better from Anderson, bowling a tempting length to Marsh. Played well, as Marsh, usually keen to go after anything wide, offers no shot to two that had Bairstow interested.

78th over: Australia (207-4 (Handscomb 35, Marsh 19) “Really could have done with 1 bringing 2 there,” says Adam Hirst. “Could do with another wicket before the close.” Broad nearly comes good for Adam, beating Handscomb on the outside edge. Manages two runs the next ball when he works beyond leg gully but swishes at a hook again when Broad pitches one in his half.

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77th over: Australia 204-4 (Handscomb 33, Marsh 18) Both big guns back with James Anderson on at the Cathedral End. Uncharacteristically, he’s short, wide and offering up a boundary option that Handscomb doesn’t squander. Cut powerfully through point for four.

76th over: Australia 199-4 (Handscomb 29, Marsh 17) “220-6 would be a good end to the day,” writes Andrew Benton. “England need to keep niggling away.” Broad trying to do his bit from around the wicket to Shaun Marsh but the Western Australian is in good touch. An excellent flick through square leg goes for four, despite Craig Overton’s best efforts. Signs off the over with a handy three, pushed pleasingly through mid on.

75th over: Australia 192-4 (Handscomb 29, Marsh 10) Leg gully for Shaun Marsh, as Overton cramps him for room from around the wicket. This ball starting to look every ball of its 75 overs now as it refuses to do anything off the straight. Stuart Broad to come back into the attack for a short burst before stumps.

74th over: Australia 190-4 (Handscomb 28, Marsh 9) Both batsmen using their feet to Moeen Ali. Handscomb looking crisper when doing so: motion towards the ball, drive full-faced.

73rd over: Australia 187-4 (Handscomb 27, Marsh 8) Wary of going too short, Overton keeps Marsh at bay with a fuller length. Seems happy enough to see out the day.

72nd over: Australia 186-4 (Marsh 8, Handscomb 25) Moeen Ali into the attack and backed up by men around the bat. Slip, leg slip, bat pad, short mid on, catching midwicket. Handscomb’s twitchy. As per, really. Perhaps a hint that he might come down the wicket and try and go over the top later on? The field’s encouraging it. John Starbuck recommends this classic from Nina Simone, who got a mention earlier on: “A truly great song, worthy to take Smith’s wicket by itself.”

71st over: Australia 185-4 (Handscomb 24, Marsh 9) Finally, one out of the middle for Shaun Marsh. And it’s a good ‘un. A short ball from Overton is about chest height and Marsh throws his hands through it, right through square leg, for four.

70th over: Australia 181-4 (Handscomb 24, Marsh 4) Things starting to die down after that Smith wicket. No real issue for England as they’ll be happy for Australia to play it tentative. This, from Gary Naylor about 30-minutes ago, is onto something:


69th over: Australia 179-4 (Handscomb 22, Marsh 4) Welcome to Bob Moule: “In a bar in Kuala Lumpur, the Bangladeshi bar staff getting very confused by the Rugby League World Cup final I made them put on the TV, but got very excited by my fist pump on the Smith wicket.” Australian wickets, bringing people together all over the world. Interesting observation from Jon Vaughan: “Don’t you think Handscomb looks like he has had too much plastic surgery?” I know what you mean. His skin seems very taut. That’ll explain why he doesn’t look stressed at all despite living a charmed life in the middle.

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68th over: Australia 178-4 (Handscomb 21, Marsh 4) Oooof, Marsh almost chops on, again. Woakes has settled into a rhythm. He’s bowled better to left-handers today.

67th over: Australia 176-4 (Handscomb 21, Marsh 2) Not sure Shaun Marsh has felt one out of the screws yet. An inside edge brings Handscomb on strike, who again gets a risky four away. This time, he’s placing a rising delivery just out of the reach of gully. An email from Des Platt: “I’ve said a few times on these pages and had a letter printed in Cricket Paper saying Overton should have been in team from start. It’s only one wicket but I’m backing him to have a big impact on this series.

“I watched the County game at Scarborough where he took nine wickets and there was that unmistakable frisson that comes with hostile bowling. Handscomb looked clueless against him both innings.” Well said, Des. Doesn’t look like Handscomb has learned much since, to be fair...

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66th over: Australia 171-4 (Handscomb 17, Marsh 1) Woakes suckered in by the reptilian Handscomb. Another ball on leg stump is delicately edged down, inside fine leg, for four bits. “Beating an already set Steve Smith,” starts Adam Hirst. “Doesn’t get much better than that. Most impressive English dismissal at least since Swann span out Ricky Ponting, maybe even more so as Ponting hadn’t reached 20.”

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65th over: Australia 167-4 (Handscomb 13, Marsh 1)

In full admiration of your balance, Jim. Also, is this like when you go for a walk around the ground in the hopes of getting a wicket? If so, keep peddaling. A fine maiden from Overton, who has cranked up his pace from around the wicket to Marsh. Good bumper thrown in there, too.

64th over: Australia 167-4 (Handscomb 13, Marsh 1) My word, Handscomb’s living a charmed life. Steps across and gets a thin edge on a leg flick on middle stump. Then gets an even whispier bit of wood on a similar line that squirts into the off side.

63rd over: Australia 163-4 (Handscomb 8, Marsh 1) Superb over. I mean, it was always going to be when it starts with the wicket of the best batsman in the world. He could have stopped mid-over, taken his shirt off and butchered a Nina Simone classic and we’d still be here reflecting on a very handy set of six.

Have to say, the reactions on Twitter are almost as good as the wicket itself:

WICKET! Smith b Overton 40 (Australia 161-4)

How’s that for your first Test wicket?! Craig Overton comes on and, first ball of his spell, he’s bowled Smith through the gate!

62nd over: Australia 161-3 (Smith 40, Handscomb 8) “They’re wittering on about the word crepuscular on BBC TMS,” writes Kimberley Thonger. “Thank goodness we’ve more sense here on the OBO, where the word testicular is more apposite.” It’s what we do best. That book I floated earlier – it’ll be the first toilet coffee table book. Much better from Woakes who pushes both right-handers back.


61st over: Australia 160-3 (Smith 39, Handscomb 8) Another quality over from Stuart Broad. Gives Handscomb his first short ball , which flies through at helmet-height, forcing a swish from the batsman. Far from convincing. He’s on the ropes...

60th over: Australia 160-3 (Smith 39, Handscomb 8) The succession of dot balls are broken as Chris Woakes comes into the attack and immediately gives Smith room to thread two through backward point. Astute from Ponting when discussing Woakes’ economy rate (at 3.82, he’s been the most expensive bowler today): “He seems to bowl a bad ball at the start of his over and put pressure on himself for the rest.” When he’s full, he gets Smith skewing a leading edge along the ground to cover. This time, he finishes with a bad ball, digging one in far too short.

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59th over: Australia 158-3 (Smith 37, Handscomb 8) Another maiden, this one for Broad. He’s doing a number on Handscomb, who twice feels outside off stump as he presses further back into the crease. England know they can target him on both sides of the bat, so expect one angling in at the stumps soon...

58th over: Australia 158-3 (Smith 37, Handscomb 8) Maiden for Jimmy. Good lines, better lengths. Ultimately useless, though. Dots only seem to make Smith stronger, like some Cyborg from the future who derives pleasure from English torment. He’s not built like us, hence why he was unmoved after this:

57th over: Australia 158-3 (Smith 37, Haandscomb 8) Another streaky edge from Handscomb, this one running away for four, through the cordon and down to third man. Meanwhile, Anderson and Smith take the time to catch up. Aleem Dar’s just watching.

56th over: Australia 154-3 (Smith 37, Handscomb 4) When Anderson’s not bowling, he’s fielding at straight, short mid on to both right-handers. The over just gone brings five, as Smith works a brace of twos into the leg side. A hint of an LBW brings an appeal, as Smith leaves a delivery that comes back into him and clatters into his front pad. High and too far outside the line. No review taken. But the real action happens when Anderson takes his cap from the umpire, sets himself up in front of the nonstriker for the next over and gives him a piece of his mind.

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55th over: Australia 149-3 (Smith 33, Handscomb 3) Whiff of a chance as Handscomb gets off the mark in less than convincing fashion. Broad’s movement away from the right-hander furhter squares up an already square-on stance. Edge found, but it’s low, between second and third, and brings Handscomb three.

Add, “frustrater of men” to that.

Updated

54th over: Australia 145-3 (Smith 32, Handscomb 0) England hanging most of what they are offering to Smith outside off stump. As per. But after frustrating him earlier in the piece, he’s keen to drive when he’s given a sniff. Which is great and all. But he’s middling them. More runs picked up through cover.

53rd over: Australia 142-3 (Smith 29, Handscomb 0) Popcorn at the ready – Stuart Broad and Steve Smith are locking horns once more. A couple through point and a single into the covers, perfectly bissecting two fielders, bring Peter Handscomb on strike. Similar-ish technique to Smith, minus some of the more noticeable ticks in the Australian captain’s game.

52nd over: Australia 139-3 (Smith 26, Handscomb 0) The first run of the session ticks off a few on your Steve Smith bingo card: shuffles across, plays it late, single into the leg side. Poor from Khawaja, truth be told. No need to chase that delivery, but the slow-motion replay of the ball nipping away after it pitch will put a spring in every Englishman’s step.

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WICKET! Khawaja c Vince b Anderson 53 (Australia 139-3)

Four balls into the final session and Usman is no more! Jimmy Anderson, from over the wicket, gets one to deck across the left-hander. A drive goes awry and flies to the right of Vince (gully), who moves effectively to take the catch.

Updated

Play to begin 8pm local time (09:30 GMT)

Greetings to any of you joining us from the UK. Such as OBO stalwart, Guy:

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Right, looks like we’ll have play in the next 10-minutes. Naturally, you’ve been passing the time with some OBO filth:

All for this. What’s the first port of call – crowd-source for cash?

Eeesh, forget my shout of cricket in 10. We’ve had a bit of rain. Not much, though. The tarpaulin that has come out to cover the pitch is being held down by the groundstaff, so it doesn’t look like they think it’ll be here for much longer.

Not for the first time, Ricky Ponting’s dealing in sense and nothing but sense:



DINNER

51st over: Australia 138-2 (Khawaja 53, Smith 25) An over of short-pitch bowling is served as the apertif by Khawaja. Overton bends his band, grunts – sends a couple down at 85mph – and gives England food for thought as they go into the dinner break. Khawaja survives, though with the odd moment of insecurity, before walking off with his captain. 105 runs in the session, two wickets and Usman Khawaja dropped on 44. Back in a bit, but I’ll leave you with this:

50th over: Australia 138-2 (Khawaja 53, Smith 25) Well adapted, Moeen. Not quite a pithy shout that would come from behind the stumps, but it’d be a justified one. He’s on about middle and leg to Khawaja from around the wicket and finding the outside halves of the left-handers bat.

My, that looks worse written down elsewhere. IDEA: A coffee book full of OBO innuendos.

49th over: Australia 137-2 (Khawaja 52, Smith 25) Maiden for Overton, which includes a short ball that Smith watches fly over his head. Wide, surely? Anyway – these two bastmen love batting here. Sorry, I’ve not got any cheerier news for England fans right now.

48th over: Australia 137-2 (Khawaja 52, Smith 25) A few balls skidding on for Moeen, but he doesn’t really want that, especially not to Khawaja. No real grip to speak of which means Khawaja can just press forward and defend with those heavy wrists that usually get him into trouble against the turning ball.

47th over: Australia 135-2 (Khawja 51, Smith 24) Good start from Overton, who’s maintaining that wide approach and inside line at Smith, who seems to have all the patience in the world.

KHAWAJA MOVES TO HIS FIFTY!

46th over” Australia 133-2 (Khawaja 50, Smith 23) Loves the pink ball, does Usman. Mooen Ali comes on to replace Craig Overton – it’s a simple change of ends – and Khawaja rocks back to cut beyond first slip and through third man for four. It’s taken 89 balls, with eight fours in there.

45th over: Australia 128-2 (Khawaja 46, Smith 22) Morning everyone. Vish here, coming live from London. Huge thanks to Jonathan Howcroft for his sizeable opening shift. Here I stroll in to take the glory of seeing it home. Steve Smith, balls angled into him, takes the third man route and takes three runs. Not pretty but mighty effective so far for the Australian captain.

44th over: Australia 118-2 (Khawaja 45, Smith 17) This over is a perfect indication of the battle between these sides right now. Overton looks in control of the duel, finding some movement both ways off the pitch, keeping Smith on his toes. Then out of nowhere the best batsman in the world peels off a sumptuous drive through the covers that doesn’t require chasing.

Anyhow, that’s enough from me, Vitushan Ehantharajah is on deck for the remainder of the day.

43rd over: Australia 118-2 (Khawaja 45, Smith 13) Anderson continues to probe on a tidy line and length to Khawaja but once again is unable to get the right amount of movement, it’s either too much or not enough.

Just a reminder, Dinner will be taken at 7.10pm local time (7.40pm AET, 8.40am UK) with the final session lasting from 7.50-10pm with the option of an extra half-hour if required to bowl 83 overs.

42nd over: Australia 117-2 (Khawaja 45, Smith 12) Overton is recalled after Woakes’ horror over and he has a decent shout for LBW against Smith that was only just bouncing over the stumps. He then fractionally misses a desperately close caught and bowled opportunity, diving away to his left in his follow through and the ball just scraping his fingertips.

41st over: Australia 114-2 (Khawaja 45, Smith 9) Decent over from Anderson, a calming maiden. He’s finding some rhythm again and once again beats the inside edge of Khawaja’s flat-footed defence from the crease.

40th over: Australia 114-2 (Khawaja 45, Smith 9) Woakes again starts an over poorly, short and wide to Khawaja who cashes in with a composed drive through square cover. He picks off four more with a pull in front of midwicket from a slowish bouncer. It was the bluff ball from Woakes who responds with the quicker higher bumper that Khawaja doesn’t handle, skewing a top-edge towards fine leg but Stoneman drops it! It wasn’t straightforward but they have to be taken at this level. Smith compounds the pain with another four next ball. Shocking over for England.

39th over: Australia 101-2 (Khawaja 36, Smith 5) Anderson’s back into the attack and it’s his best over of the day so far, testing the inside and outside edges of Khawaja before beating Smith with one that nips away off the pitch.

38th over: Australia 98-2 (Khawaja 33, Smith 5) Poor from Woakes, releasing all the recent tension with a floaty half-volley outside leg-stump that Khawaja guides to the fine-leg fence.

37th over: Australia 93-2 (Khawaja 28, Smith 5) Broad and Smith resume battle after Khawaja pulls elegantly for one. Smith deals with the first few with ease but Broad finds a leading edge - and almost an LBW - with his final delivery. The bowler puts his hands to his head but there are none of the verbals between the pair that greeted the end of his last over.

It’s not been a typical day’s play in Adelaide but it’s been a record crowd nonetheless.

36th over: Australia 92-2 (Khawaja 27, Smith 5) Woakes continues in this testy little passage and he has the honour of finding the edge of Smith’s bat, but it was played with soft hands and dribbles along the ground to the cordon. Smith responds with a couple of punishing drives that are stopped by excellent fielding. Terrific battle out there at the moment.

“After England’s collapse at Brisbane I put a fiver on them to lose the Ashes 5-0, to offset the looming despair with some monetary consolation,” Rob Wright emails. “My wife was outraged, claiming they won’t get thrashed in every test. I don’t think they will either: I just can’t see them winning one.”

35th over: Australia 92-2 (Khawaja 27, Smith 5) Sensing the opportunity, Root returns to his best bowler, Broad. He gives him a crazy looking field though, with two short mid-ons, three slips, a short cover, and I’ve lost my concentration figuring out the rest. Plenty of lip too towards the Aussie skipper, who’s typically nonplussed as Broad bowls dry lines outside off stump. At the end of the over he returns fire, sending a verbal barrage in Broad’s direction. This is tasty!

34th over: Australia 90-2 (Khawaja 26, Smith 4) That’s the first dismissal from an England bowler in over 80-overs! Warner will be disappointed with his footwork and shot selection, gifting England the wicket. It brings Steve Smith to the crease, and he wastes no time, getting off the mark with a dreamy cover drive that practically sings its way to the fence. That was majestic.

WICKET! Warner c Bairstow b Woakes 47 (Australia 86-2)

There’s the spark! Line and length from Woakes angling across Warner and a cramped flat-footed drive nicks into the gloves of Bairstow. Huge unexpected breakthrough for England. Warner was cruising and looked set for a big one.

33rd over: Australia 86-1 (Warner 47, Khawaja 26) Moeen continues his spell after a drinks break, which indicates his injured finger can’t be too troublesome. Warner is in cruise control though, seeing off the ‘dangerous over after drinks’ with the minimum of fuss and an easy single. England need a spark again from somewhere.

32nd over: Australia 85-1 (Warner 46, Khawaja 26) Woakes back into the attack from the Cathedral end and it’s tidy stuff to Khawaja after Warner nicks a single from the opening ball.

31st over: Australia 84-1 (Warner 45, Khawaja 26) Khawaja’s intent from the previous Moeen over immediately returns, lofting the first delivery over the infield for a couple. He misses out on a full bunger but makes up for it with a powerful cut, rocking onto his back foot. Moeen responds with a quicker dart but he’s woefully let down by a misfield at point that turns none into four and gets the home crowd into the action. Australia on a bit of a roll now.

30th over: Australia 74-1 (Warner 45, Khawaja 16) Warner is in the groove now, finding singles at will and with the presence of mind to crunch an overpitched Overton delivery through the covers. If that wasn’t convincing enough he then guides a shorter one through the vacant gully region for back-to-back boundaries. England’s post-Tea bounce is losing momentum.

29th over: Australia 64-1 (Warner 36, Khawaja 15) Single first up from Warner gives Moeen five at Khawaja. He goes back to the first and then advances down the pitch to the second and third, but being forced into defensive strokes by Moeen’s flight. A regulation forward defence precedes a more dubious defensive stroke with his bat a long way away from his body. This is a great sideshow.

28th over: Australia 63-1 (Warner 35, Khawaja 15) Overton’s overs have all been reasonably similar. Tidy line and length angling across the left-handers with the occasional shorter ball bringing some action. That line and length prompts a play-and-miss from Khawaja this over with the batsman squared up on the crease. The shorter ball is a failed ramp over the cordon from Warner that hinted at a potential catch behind.

27th over: Australia 62-1 (Warner 34, Khawaja 15) Moeen resumes his battle with Warner and extends the dots bowled in the duel to ten before a single to midwicket finally brings Khawaja into his crosshairs. The one delivery is negotiated unconvincingly by the Australian developing a reputation for struggling against spin.

26th over: Australia 61-1 (Warner 33, Khawaja 15) Overton persisting with that angle slanting across the left-handers but Khawaja is building into his work, looking increasingly composed at the crease and comfortable easing onto the front foot. As with Overton’s previous over anything pulled is negotiated safely but anything short is attacked. This time it’s a genuine bouncer that Khawaja doesn’t control perfectly but gets more than enough on to beat fine leg for four.

England’s Moeen Ali throws the ball in from the boundary during their Ashes test match against Australia in Adelaide.
England’s Moeen Ali throws the ball in from the boundary during their Ashes test match against Australia in Adelaide. Photograph: Rick Rycroft/AP

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25th over: Australia 55-1 (Warner 33, Khawaja 9) Moeen Ali comes on for a twirl, testing out that damaged finger of his. He has Warner on strike though, not Khawaja as he might prefer, but he tests him with some good flight and unexpected bounce. Excellent over that will give Moeen and England plenty of encouragement.

24th over: Australia 55-1 (Warner 33, Khawaja 9) In contrast to Broad angling in from around the wicket, Overton is slanting across the lefties from over the stumps. A series of leaves from Khawaja ends with him picking up a shorter ball early and carting it through midwicket for four. England just unable to convert a glimmer of ascendancy into wickets.

23rd over: Australia 51-1 (Warner 33, Khawaja 5) Broad still hitting that fuller length that’s made him look much more dangerous since Tea. From around the wicket to Warner he lobs six deliveries all on a good length that are either defended or played at without connecting. Broad needs a partner to keep the pressure on at the other end.

22nd over: Australia 51-1 (Warner 33, Khawaja 5) Craig Overton is on for his first over in Test cricket and he makes a reasonable start. Overton has a strong action and a powerful shoulder and he uses it to find some uneven bounce. He forces a false shot from both batsmen in a promising beginning to his Test career.

21st over: Australia 50-1 (Warner 32, Khawaja 5) Warner’s started counterattacking England’s experienced bowlers, going after anything full with hard hands. He squirts one unconvincingly through the offside for three before Khawaja pulls without timing for a couple.

Garry Sharp has enjoyed a pleasant interaction with Bob Willis. “I got to meet Bob Willis, just briefly, here in Radelaide at a pre match charity ‘sausage sizzle’ (which is not a barbie, oh no) today. As charming as he is, er, tall. We talked about the England attack that afternoon in Brisbane...hmm...”

20th over: Australia 45-1 (Warner 29, Khawaja 3) Anderson’s plan appears to be to half-heartedly lull Warner into a loose drive outside off. Shane Warne on TV is scathing, somehow managing to finger his bete noire John Buchanan and all of Queensland into the questionable strategy. Warner prolongs the gloating by crunching a cover drive for four.

19th over: Australia 38-1 (Warner 22, Khawaja 3) Broad is in the zone now and he’s shifted from around to over the wicket to Khawaja. Broad’s now pushing the ball up and Khawaja isn’t as committed to going forward or back as Warner, relying on a leading edge or two to avoid conceding a chance. England on top since the Tea break.

And prompting plenty of social media mirth that it was precipitated by the weight of his melon. Including by the venerable Wisden no less!

18th over: Australia 37-1 (Warner 22, Khawaja 3) Anderson is showing signs of easing into his work finally, pitching the pink ball up, allowing it to wobble. The Burnley Express beats the outside edges of both left-handers with deliveries slanting across that nip away off the seam.

Matthew Cooke has a novel suggestion. “In the 140 years of Test cricket: the team winning the toss has won the match on 34.8043% of the time. The team wining the toss has lost the match 31.2556% of the time. The team winning the toss has drawn the match 33.7579% of the time. Given that more-or-less, winning the toss has no impact on the outcome of the game, why don’t we get rid of the toss, and get Shane Warne to decide who bats first?”

I have no idea if those numbers are accurate, by the way.

David Warner in action during the first day of the second Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval.
David Warner in action during the first day of the second Ashes cricket test match between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval. Photograph: Philip Brown/Getty Images

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17th over: Australia 36-1 (Warner 21, Khawaja 3) Broad sends down a probing maiden to Khawaja from around the wicket. While he does so the TV shows replays of Warner burning Bancroft in that run out with some abysmal calling. The junior partner deals with it stoically but Broad makes sure Warner knows it has his fault, holding his fingers to his ears.

16th over: Australia 34-1 (Warner 21, Khawaja 1) Anderson is called upon to capitalise on the breakthrough but he’s still lacking zip. Khawaja gets off the mark first ball before Warner sees off the remainder of an unremarkable over.

15th over: Australia 33-1 (Warner 21, Khawaja 0) Aside from the run out that was the best over of the day so far for England. Broad pitched the ball up, found some movement and troubled Warner from around the wicket throughout. Suddenly England’s tails are up.

Aditi has a Jonathan Trott update. “Someone mentioned Trott earlier. He’s doing a commentary stint for the India vs Sri Lanka match. Hayden vs Trott, a mini Ashes battle. Also Sri Lanka’s Pacers have bowled better than England’s, that too in India. That’s saying something.”

WICKET! Bancroft run out (Woakes) 10 (Australia 33-1)

Dear oh dear, Australia have gifted England their first wicket. Warner bunts away a Broad length delivery, Moeen misfields, prompting a half-shout of a run that’s eventually declined but not before Bancroft is well out of his crease. Woakes did well to swoop on the misfield, take his time and shoot down the stumps.

14th over: Australia 33-0 (Bancroft 10, Warner 21) Woakes completes his over with a dot.

Bancroft and Warner follow them, going through their shadow batting and doing that thing when you flick your heels up so you kick yourself in your bum.

England are out on the field, eager to improve on their poor afternoon performance.

Get ready for some cricket!

That restart time has been pushed back five minutes.

Adelaide has been dogged by showers on the first day of the second Ashes Test.
Adelaide has been dogged by showers on the first day of the second Ashes Test. Photograph: David Gray/Reuters

Andrew Benton with the zinger. “The current shower are bowling, and I think they’ll be there for some time.” Boom, and indeed tish.

Now then, some of the covers are being peeled back with the possibility of a resumption in around 15 minutes (4.40pm local time, 5.10pm AET, 6.10am UK).

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The full square cover remains in place but the groundstaff are out, presumably expecting this current shower to pass reasonably soon.

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On nominative determinism, can I claim Grievous Bodily Harmison?

Steve Harmison making a mess of the West Indies back in the day.

Amod Paranjape feels any ire over the toss decision to be reserved for England’s bowlers, not their skipper. “The decision to bowl first was correct. If I remember correctly only one ball was bowled at a length to Warner by Jimmy on the drive. The England bowlers are guilty of bowling a short in my opinion. The conditions are more English than Australian, have they forgotten?”

Gah! Under five minutes away from the scheduled resumption in play and the covers are coming back on. So frustrating!

It’s been a wet afternoon in Adelaide.
It’s been a wet afternoon in Adelaide. Photograph: Daniel Kalisz - CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Some revised playing conditions for you - weather permitting, of course.

The evening session will now last from 4:10-6:50pm local time.

The night session is scheduled for 7:30-10pm.

Play can be extended up to 30 minutes in a bid to get through the 87 overs scheduled.

Perhaps the Pantone of his tips in the early 00s, or his recent plugs?

Tea - Australia 33-0

As expected, an early Tea has been called in Adelaide. If it’s dry, play will resume at 4.10pm local time (4.40pm AET / 5.40am UK).

The Ashes trophy is pictured prior to play during day one of the Second Test match during the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval.
The Ashes trophy is pictured prior to play during day one of the Second Test match during the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval. Photograph: Daniel Kalisz - CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Also the Vic Reeves gag: “True or false, Lynne Faulds Wood?”

Hold on! The hessian is back on as another shower approaches. So close to Tea you’d expect the umps might call an early end to this session.

“So Nasser Hussain allegedly said ‘No, Joe, no!’ as he heard Root’s decision to bowl after winning the toss,” writes Sankaran Krishna. “It’s a wonder how so many (England) captains become so brainy and wise once they are done being captain. A classic case of ‘do as I say, not as I did’.”

A valid point, but Nasser is not in the minority in this instance it has to be said.

The rope has been dragged across the outfield, the stumps have returned to their stump-holes and the umpires are hovering near the middle, waiting to announce the restart of play.

In the meantime...

Michele Wilkinson asks about the England players wearing black armbands. They are in honour of Russell Evans, the First-class umpire who died yesterday.

The rain has eased, the covers are being removed, and play should restart soon, hopefully.

Pistol!

“Would it be fair to suggest a former England batsman who preferred not to score at a canter?” With Jonathan Trott, Oliver Pattenden joins the ND club.

I wasn’t joking about the anthems, by the way.

Quick rain update. This shower looks to be lingering longer than the first, so much so Channel Nine has cut to a highlights package from the last Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Ground staff at the Ashes
The busiest people in Adelaide today? Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Updated

If you need an illustration of how England’s bowlers have not backed up Root’s decision to bowl first, here you go.

Bravo, doctor.

Richard Woods chucks Glenn Turner and Oliver Slipper into the mix.

On that theme, Western Australian offie Ashton Turner also fits the bill.

In case you didn’t know, Adam Zampa is excellent at the Twitter.

Sean Boiling is on the simmer with a couple of nominative determinist suggestions. “Test cap number 140 for England. Played 6 matches between 1994 and 1908. Yes, it’s Arthur Fielder. Best I had until I found Arthur was Gareth Batty.”

Back to the inbox where Ian Forth is in rare form. “A slightly lateral version of nominative determinism, again from the realm of football. Rigobert Song’s Premier League appearances allowed the armchair viewer of Match of the Day as the team lineups came up on screen to put an arm around his wife and exclaim ‘Look, darling! They’re playing R Song’.”

Rain stops play

14th over: Australia 33-0 (Bancroft 10, Warner 21) Michael Vaughan and Shane Warne are dissecting England’s misery, questioning the poor body language in the chilly gloom, the conservative fielding positions, and the general defensive mindset of what should be a desperate must-win scenario.

Woakes sends down four balls of a tidy over before another of those showers unloads on the scene.

13th over: Australia 31-0 (Bancroft 9, Warner 21) Broad is back into the attack, bowling with the breeze this time, from the river Torrens end. It’s another humdrum over though with Australia rotating the strike on a couple of occasions. There are hints of swing when the ball is pitched up, but England simply haven’t put the ball in the right places often enough and when they’ve got close to those areas Australia’s openers have responded smartly.

12th over: Australia 29-0 (Bancroft 9, Warner 20) Back underway in Adelaide and Woakes is immediately fuller, too full in fact, Warner feasting on a half-volley, pumping it through the covers for four.

That’s right, Bancroft and Warner put on an unbroken 173 in Brisbane before today’s partnership.

Update from the ground - play will restart in five minutes. Let’s hope England’s bowlers have been looking at a pitchmap during the interlude.

Back to the nominative determinism.

SCG MacGill is a beauty for the former NSW leggie.

David Hookes, obviously.

Ian Botham, but only because he’s an allrounder.

“We cordially welcome the Barmy Army to Adelaide,” writes Richard Chapman. “However, we stress the time honoured handshake greeting will suffice.”

Phil Withall is relishing a full day of sport. “I woke this morning and started my day with the news of Norwich City’s capitulation in Cardiff. That set me up nicely to enjoy a disappointingly vague early bowling display from the England attack. Just need England’s Rugby League side to carry on this trend this evening and there will be no need for me to beat myself with a tree branch so as to ensure I’m not enjoying life...”

David Webb brings up a thorny issue that has handicapped English cricket since 2005. “This is hardly a new moan, but it does feel particularly capricious, in the context of how easy it is to access legal streaming options outside of sport, to put the series behind the paywall that you can’t actually buy unless you also change your broadband supplier. In 2005 it felt like half the country was trying to organise their lives around the locations of TVs and radios so they could follow. It does seem such a shame to have lost that.”

While we’re waiting for play to restart, let’s tuck into some correspondence.

Michael Kelly kicks us off on the subject of the toss. “Who bats first and who bats second can have an unfair influence on results, but difficult to change that. One very easy thing that would help in that regard in a series of matches like the Ashes, is to have only one toss, on the first morning of the first match. For subsequent matches, the right to choose whether to bat or bowl first would alternate between the two captains.”

Updated

England will welcome the opportunity to regroup. They are making a mess of the most vital match in the series for them. The three senior bowlers have not justified their skipper’s decision to bowl first on a sporting wicket that looks full of runs once the shine has been taken off the new ball.

England’s players run from the field as rain delays play on day one of the Second Test match between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval.
England’s players run from the field as rain delays play on day one of the Second Test match between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval. Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPA

Updated

Rain stops play

One of those squally showers that were forecast drifts across Adelaide Oval after two deliveries of Chris Woakes’ over and the umpires are quick to invite the groundstaff on to cover the strip.

11th over: Australia 23-0 (Bancroft 8, Warner 15) Anderson continues to toil without much pep in his step. There’s a suggestion his right shoulder is causing him some issues which may explain the pedestrian start.

Speaking of injuries, Andrew Benton asks: “Is there any latest info on what was wrong with Moeen Ali’s finger, and how it has healed? We need him... need him to save England from horrible and embarrassing defeat, I fear!”

10th over: Australia 21-0 (Bancroft 8, Warner 13) Before the over Matt Carley writes, “England have wasted the best third of the new ball by bowling a yard and a half too short,” and Woakes confirms the assessment with another over that begins much too short and unthreatening. He adjusts his line and length somewhat as the over progresses, eventually beating Bancroft’s outside, but the Australian opener was never called upon to play on the front foot at any point.

9th over: Australia 21-0 (Bancroft 8, Warner 13) The only deliveries that have threatened Australia so far have been the wide sucker balls from Anderson that have left Warner as he’s attempted to drive. One of those flashes past the edge again this over to oohs and ahhs in the cordon.

8th over: Australia 20-0 (Bancroft 7, Warner 13) Woakes takes on the responsibility of bowling into the wind and after landing his opening delivery bang on the money he retreats to a length too short to trouble Warner who profits with a hat-trick of twos off his hip. This is now a poor start for England and that toss decision is starting to unravel.

David Warner made a positive start to Australia’s first innings in Adelaide.
David Warner made a positive start to Australia’s first innings in Adelaide. Photograph: Rick Rycroft/AP

Updated

7th over: Australia 14-0 (Bancroft 7, Warner 7) Anderson still failing to hit the right spot but he’s at least over-pitching occasionally now, inviting the drive.

6th over: Australia 12-0 (Bancroft 6, Warner 6) Broad now readjusting to a fuller length, inviting the drive, but there’s still not much doing for England, all the while putting Root’s decision to field first under the microscope. Australia have started smartly, taking no risks at the crease and running at every opportunity to accentuate the right-hand / left-hand partnership.

“Good morning from India. It’s 9 am here, a lovely time to watch cricket,” writes Aditi. “On Root’s decision, isn’t it taken in advance with the management pitching in with their suggestions. Why then are captains alone blamed for wrong decisions. It’s not like Root sauntered in and then made the decision on the spur of the moment. Or not like Root committed to one decision and then pulled a number at the toss.”

It’s a fair point, but as the words come out of Root’s mouth, the decision by definition is attributed to the skipper. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown...

5th over: Australia 9-0 (Bancroft 5, Warner 4) As is disappointingly customary England have been too short again to start proceedings. Australia’s openers are looking to leave on length but Anderson and Broad have yet to adjust. It’s emphasised by the odd one that moves off the pitch but from such a short length that it’s no threat to the edge.

4th over: Australia 8-0 (Bancroft 4, Warner 4) Broad with the thankless task of running into this stiff breeze and he’s yet to hit his straps, failing to find a consistent line or length. Bancroft does well to work a couple to the legside and then rotate the strike with a single into the covers. Broad sends down his best two deliveries of the match so far to Warner, but the Aussie opener leaves both, the first after a hint of away-swing, the second on length on this true-bouncing surface.

Sarah Bacon has some thoughts on the BT Sport commentary offering. “G’day, Jonathan, from chilly Warwick. Yes, I am awake, it is freezing, but for this Aussie so far from home, it’s worth it. The First Test demonstrated a few teething problems in the commentary squad, but their hearts are in the right place. Great to see Ali Mitchell there too; she really knows her stuff, and it shows. But seriously! The suited pastels on the boys are one thing, but did they have to put her in a cocktail dress?! Come on!! This is cricket!”

3rd over: Australia 5-0 (Bancroft 1, Warner 4) The strong breeze is coming from over Anderson’s left shoulder, ideal for the away-swinger to the left-handed Warner. That’s the delivery Anderson is aiming for, trying to set up some straight ones before offering up the sucker ball full and outside off. Warner is wise to it though, defending solidly, leaving smartly, and cutting a loose shorter one with force behind square for the game’s opening boundary.

England are fielding wearing black armbands in honour of Russell Evans, the former First-class umpire who died yesterday.

2nd over: Australia 1-0 (Bancroft 1, Warner 0) Broad starts reasonably well with a maiden to Bancroft although KP takes issue with England’s new-ball bowler not aiming to present a proud seam so early in the day. However, the delivery Pietersen remarked upon gripped on the surface, nipped back and struck Bancroft in the box.

So windy Aleem Dar’s hat blew off!

1st over: Australia 1-0 (Bancroft 1, Warner 0) Here we go then, what can Anderson do with this pink pill? Nothing first up as Bancroft dabs a single into the covers to release any tension (there wasn’t really any tension). Anderson’s a touch short to begin with against Warner who’s batting a few inches outside his crease to negate any swing that might be on offer. There’s a touch of movement late in the over, first out of the hand and away down the leg-side, then wobbling the other way and beating the outside edge of a swooshy drive. Plenty of carry too, the ball reaching Bairstow with ease.

By the way, it’s more than breezy out there, it’s blustery.

England’s James Anderson send down the first ball of the second Test at Adelaide Oval.
England’s James Anderson send down the first ball of the second Test at Adelaide Oval. Photograph: Jason O'Brien/PA

Updated

Players and umpires making their way out into the middle. It’s a scene Adelaide Oval, such a gorgeous sporting arena.

“Well, Peter Bowler fails, because he was a batsman,” writes Quebecer. “P.S. We should have batted.”

A lot has been made about Australia’s insatiable thirst for speed, but as Andy Bull writes, it was Nathan Lyon who turned the game his country’s way in Brisbane.

Robin Hughes joins in with Ian Forth (13.56) on the issue of Steve Smith’s sense of humour. “Hi Jonathan, Ian Forth raises a good point. Sure, Steve Smith may be the best batsman in the world, but he (and Joe Root for that matter) has wasted nowhere near enough of his youth to contribute to an OBO riff, has he? Speaking as someone who is settling down on the sofa at 3am, whisky in hand, compiling a playlist for a 30th birthday party tomorrow, I’m secure that I’ve made good life choices... (Also I really hope this Root decision doesn’t end the series today!)“

Robin, if you’ve yet to encounter The Grade Cricketer, Google it, you’re in for a treat.

Australia led out for the anthems by a local hero, Nugget.

Anthem time at AO, and they’ve gone for the shark-jumping approach.

Matthew Doherty asks: “Is it fair to think of Trent Bridge 2015?”

The answer of course is it’s always fair to think of Trent Bridge 2015 if you’re an Englishman in an argument with an Australian. In reference to today’s action, I would be surprised if this pitch did anywhere near as much, nor that Australia’s attack is so brittle as to collapse in such an ugly heap. I think it’s more a case of England looking to gain the ascendancy with their strongest weapons (Anderson and Broad) and avoid more torment at the hands of Australia’s quicks.

Updated

This is lovely

Also, Sean Boiling (a nominative determinist in the making) has shared one of the Hall of Fame sporting examples. “I can’t give you any nominative determinism in cricket but baseball is close enough isn’t it? That’s where we’ll find Prince Fielder. Formerly played first base for the Brewers, Tigers and Rangers.”

Today’s session times:

Play begins 2pm Adelaide, 2.30pm AET, 3.30am UK

Tea 4pm Adelaide, 4.30pm AET, 5.30am UK

Dinner 6.20pm Adelaide, 6.50pm AET, 7.50am UK

Close 9pm Adelaide, 9.30pm AET, 10.30am UK

The weather forecast is more England in spring than Adelaide in summer with the temperature hovering in the teens and a southerly breeze adding to the chill-factor. The threat of showers will be ever-present but if any arrive they shouldn’t last long.

Australia’s pacemen will be happy if Adelaide Oval does offer some spice. Aussie quicks have long prospered by peppering Englishmen with bouncers and Geoff Lemon has taken a closer look at their love-affair with chin music.

Further analysis of the pitch indicates it’s very dry with a thick coverage of thatchy grass (14mm in length) that’s been rolled into the surface so that it’s down to 6mm. The TV heatmap of the pitch reveals it’s considerably drier than last year’s surface.

What does that mean? That the new ball should come through with pace and bounce but thereafter it should emerge as a track full of runs.

High-risk toss decision from Root.

Second Test XIs

Confirmation that Craig Overton becomes the 681st player to represent England in Test cricket.

Australia unchanged: Bancroft, Warner, Khawaja, Smith (c), Marsh, Handscomb, Paine (wk), Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, Lyon.

England win the toss and will bowl first

Joe Root likes the overcast, cool conditions, and he wants first go with the pink ball. Bold call.

Steve Smith would have batted. He thinks “it’s a pretty good wicket” that looks “more like an old-fashioned Adelaide Oval” pitch.

Updated

Speaking of nominative determinism, Ben Stokes is a headline writer’s dream at the moment.

Ian Forth gets the nominative determinism chat off to a brilliantly off-key start. I’m reminded of a Barry Davies football commentary from many years ago. ‘Hoddle by name, Hoddle by nature’. The more you think about it, the better it gets.”

Ian also chimes in on the issue of that Smith/Bancroft press conference. “Steve Smith, very fine cricketer, but I can’t help thinking it’s come at a cost. When Cameron Bancroft essayed some very light deadpan humour, he reacted as if Aristophanes, Rabelais and Congreve had been reanimated in the shape of a mildly adventurous opening batsman. I’m guessing that while the other kids were watching The Office and Seinfeld, Smith was doing the extra nets which got him to where he is now. There’s always a trade off.”

Nominative determinism: With Craig Overton replacing Jake Ball in England’s XI, who are cricket’s other examples of nominative determinism?

Craig Overton will debut for England in the second Test at Adelaide Oval.
Craig Overton will debut for England in the second Test at Adelaide Oval. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP

Craig Overton is now a lock to make his Test debut at Adelaide Oval.

In my opinion the sniping between players in the media, egged on by columnists, reporters and former players, is tedious and unnecessary. Does that put me in the minority? Is it all part of the fun?

Some early team news about half-an-hour before the toss.

Updated

The current coach of Australia (Darren Lehmann) sat down with a future coach of Australia (Jason Gillespie) for a good old-fashioned Q&A.

“There is no better seeing ground anywhere in the world” than Adelaide Oval, which makes it an ironic venue for day-night cricket, according to Andy Bull.

And Steve Smith is getting well-acquainted with the surface.

Nice to see the correspondence entering my box like a well-timed Paul Scholes run in the late 90s.

Speaking of Manchester United, Peter Rowntree relates his football team to Jonny Bairstow’s curious greeting that’s caused such a stir this week. “Here outside of Bogota it is still a civilised 9.21 pm. Would love to see what YJBs Bradford Bump looks like. I once experienced what the locals called a Liverpool Kiss, a brick through my car back window, which I had parked at Anfield with the number plate which contained MUFC. The Bradford Bump sounds a bit more benign.”

Meanwhile, Raimond Skrupskis has seen enough after one Test. “Just logged on to check out. I’ve been following England since 1964. After the latest pathetic batting collapse and abject surrender I am giving up. I will concentrate on club level sports - Leicester City and Leicester Tigers. That is all.”

In case you missed this update during the week, the news isn’t great for Moeen Ali and his injured finger. However, he will be selected as a batsman irrespective of whether he is able to bowl .

Chris Woakes is a charming young man and he played a straight bat to the goings-on of an awkward week.

Jason Gillespie knows Adelaide Oval like the back of his hand and the new Sussex coach has some advice for England on how avoid distractions and focus on the task in hand.

Where shall we head first? How about Vic Marks’ take on Adelaide Oval, England’s opportunity under lights and some insight from James Anderson.

Preamble

Greetings intrepid OBOers, wherever you are, whenever it happens to be. If this Ashes series wasn’t already wreaking havoc with your circadian rhythm the first day-night contest in a men’s series between England and Australia will surely nudge it out of kilter.

Yes, that’s right, a day-night Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval (mental note, sure fire way to enrage a local is calling the spectacular arena THE Adelaide Oval). That means pink balls, floodlights, and God only knows what in the stands as patrons are given a four-hour warm-up on the turps.

Australia arrive on the crest of a wave after eventually breaking free from the three-day long arm-wrestle that opened proceedings in Brisbane. Steve Smith’s brilliance allowed his bowlers and opening batsmen to then give England an unceremonious touch up, all rounded off with a press conference equivalent of the hosts holding thumbs to their noses, wiggling their fingers and shouting ‘ner ner na ner ner’.

The presser featuring Cameron Bancroft’s deadpan comic timing and Smith’s uncontrollable giggles precipitated one of those weeks that makes me want to crawl into a cave and hide until the inevitable tit-for-tat responses have blown through. We can now look forward to the the remaining four Tests being played with unnecessary rancour.

Regarding the cricket itself there is plenty of speculation but little certainty about what to expect. Australia’s XI looks likely to be unchanged while England are considering swapping Jake Ball for Craig Overton.

The day-night experience remains an experiment in its early stages so the nature of the pitch, the behaviour of the balls and the general unfolding of the contest remains a mystery. The prevailing wisdom is that this will be England’s best chance of victory all tour and failure would extinguish any hope of the Ashes remaining a contest.

Play begins at 2pm in Adelaide, 2.30pm AET, which is 3.30am in the UK. That leaves plenty of time to catch up with all the news and views of recent days before the first ball is bowled.

This is of course your platform to send in comments, observations, or hip-hop battle rhymes. Feel free to get in touch via the details at the top of the page.

Stay tuned for this Day ‘N’ Nite history-maker at Adelaide Oval.

Updated

Jonathan will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Geoff Lemon on the location for this Test match, the magnificent Adelaide Oval:

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