Day one report
And here’s the snap report on the day’s play, with Ali Martin’s copy to be added shortly:
Some reading for you while we await the day one report:
Play will start half an hour earlier tomorrow at Hobart to make up for the overs lost today, while over in Cape Town, South Africa seem to have sealed it, needing only another 29 runs. That’s it from me after an intriguing day at Hobart - Australia fighting back from the doldrums on a green seamer and England rather losing their way with an attack shorn of Robinson. A glorious century from Travis Head and wonderful support from young Cameron Green. Have a good day, thanks for all the messages and sorry I couldn’t get to them all. Bye!
Play has been abandoned for the day: Australia 241-6 (Carey 10, Starc 0)
That’s it for today, England can retreat to lick their wounds and hope that Robinson might be fit to bowl tomorrow and they can rattle through the tail. A superb counter-attack from Australia after being on the ropes early on shows the buoyancy in their camp.
Hold that thought....the rain has returned
Damn, the covers are being pulled back on by the groundmen in shorts and royal blue fleeces.
Restart 11.15
If no more drizzle...
Updated
“Hello Tanya,” hello Timonthy Sanders, “is the ‘sea mist’ of David Harper’s local knowledge similar to when the sea fret stops play on sunny days at Scarborough ?” It seems to be more soggy than foggy - from ten thousand miles away.
Eamonn Maloney refutes my naive idea that the Australian batting cupboard is bulging. “See I think local observers would tell you the cupboard is concerningly bare beyond the incumbents and we won’t be sniffing at 40-odd averages like Head’s over the next ten years. The next cabs off the rank at the moment are the previously tried and unconvincing, with the exception of Pucovski if he can stop getting hit on the bonce.”
Interesting. So is there any criticism of the Sheffield Shield as a batting school?
It’s lunch in Cape Town, with South Africa needing only another 41, seven wickets in the back pocket. Keegan Petersen’s 82 seems to have done the business. Jasprit Bumrah has apparently been fabulous, but with only one wicket to show for it.
Something to chew on
Good times https://t.co/ODDHzvMwvT
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) January 14, 2022
while the press corps in Tasmania are getting increasingly cheesed-off by this stoppage. Seems we might get more play now - with 70 mins possible, sorry for the the earlier misinformation.
The umpires have finally realised it is not raining and the covers are coming off. But, of course, 95 per cent of spectators have buggered off home.
— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) January 14, 2022
Eamonn Maloney is using the rain break to pick at his heels “England’s inadequacies in this series have masked Australia’s own question marks. One of them was ‘is Cummins a no. 8?’ which the skipper seems here to have answered correctly in my view as a no. Starc every time when he’s playing, not just because of a good series with the willow. Carey has batted like the world is ending and needs someone to calm him down. Meanwhile Travis Head will only ever average 40 odd at test level because of his tendency to play away from the body, but he should play every match for the next ten years and have his central contract restored forthwith because of his ability to change games (see also B Stokes).”
Head was just brilliant today. In fact Australia seem to have an embarrassment of riches on the batting front.
And it’s still drizzling at Hobart with about 45 minutes left in the day.
Local knowledge, thanks David Harper!
@tjaldred looks like a sea mist setting in here. But not heavy enough to stop play. Tasmanians would normally play on!
— David Harper (@dlharps) January 14, 2022
A positive Test in the England women's camp
“Following the second round of England Women’s scheduled PCR tests on Wednesday a member of the England Women support staff tested positive for COVID-19.
The staff member has been in isolation in accordance with state COVID management guidelines since the result of the test and will remain in Canberra when the group travel to Adelaide for the IT20 leg of the multi-format series.
The ECB medical team have been working alongside their CA counterparts to manage the situation. Additional testing and contact tracing has been undertaken and no additional positive cases have been reported.
A further round of routine PCR tests will be undertaken before the team fly by charter to Adelaide on Monday January 17.”
“Could you please update the Key Events for those of us catching the OBO on the sly?” asks James Debens. Ok, here we go: At 12-3, (ducks for Warner and Smith) Australia are on the ropes, despite Crawley dropping Labuschagne, going for a catch in front of Root’s nose at second slip. Superb bowling from Broad and Robinson. Then a counter-punch from Labuschagne and Head as England’s change bowlers struggle. Labuschagne falls in a banana-skin manner, but Green picks up where he left off.
One of the weirdest dismissals we've ever seen! 😱#Ashes pic.twitter.com/8Qp5rKprn8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 14, 2022
Runs a plenty, and Head reaches a sumptuous hundred before giving his wicket away, Green falls for the bouncer trick to cheer up Wood’s day and England have a glimmer of a hope. Oh, and England left out Anderson - Stokes can’t bowl and Robinson seems to have injured himself out of the attack. Have I missed anything?
Time to top up your coffee. We’re still waiting for news from Hobart but meanwhile Alison Mitchell and Jeremy Snape are talking about mental health in what looks like a dungeon.
An email arrives from Finbar Anslow: ‘Morning Tanya, minus ten last night in the hills of Southern Piedmont.Just wondering if Jack Leach has a shelf life on his hat trick? Would it still be valid if he got a wicket with his first ball 2 years later? Is there a record for this kind of thing?”
I think they go on forever don’t they? I don’t know what the record is but here is a selection of unusual hat-tricks.
The Guardian’s own Adam Collins is not impressed:
There have been some frustrating rain delays during this series but this takes the cake. Can't understand how they arrived at the conclusion that it was heavy enough to take them off. #Ashes
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) January 14, 2022
It looks damp at Hobart. And grey. And lush. The groundsmen have pulled on the covers, but they’re hanging around for further instruction. The radar is apparently showing only spots of rain. Any Tasmanian locals out there to give us a proper forecast?
Over in Cape Town meanwhile, South Africa need 55 more to win, with seven wickets left..
Rain stops play
59.3 overs: Australia 241-6 (Carey 10, Starc 0) With great aplomb, Carey squats and square drives another short one from Wood to the boundary. The umpires consult about the rain, dismiss it, let another two balls be bowled, then slowly take the players off.
“As it looks like the England XI will be beaten by the Australian lower order,” ponders Kim Thonger, “their top 4 not really contributing, could we adopt this as a permanent new format for Ashes tests? Seven Australians against eleven Englishmen. It evens it up a bit. There’s an obvious sponsor for The 7/11 Ashes in the wings.”
Very good.
59th over: Australia 237-6 (Carey 6, Starc 0) Up on the Aussie balcony, we see David Warner holding the pinky-orange ball, and drop advice into Pat Cummins’ ear. Just one from Broad’s over as a little drizzle starts to fall.
Updated
58th over: Australia 236-6 (Carey 5, Starc 0) A succession of bouncers from Wood discombobulates Green, who falls for the age-old trap. Smashing innings though, boom-bastic elegance, what a talent he is. Now, can England whittle out the tail quickly?
WICKET! Green c Crawley b Wood 74 (Australia 236-6)
Green slam-hooks a bouncer, but can only top-edge and Crawley is waiting at deep square leg. His third catch of the day.
Updated
57th over: Australia 235-5 (Carey 4, Green 74) Miserly from Broad until Green makes that jollygreengiant stride and cover drives with impossible elegance for a man mountain.
“Greetings from the Bunker.” Lovely to hear from you Charles Sheldrick.
“ My passion for cricket was ignited by the 1981 Ashes, I was 10, so I should be used to this by now.
Why does it still get to me after 40 years, the hope, the brief flash, like a glimpse of the sunrise through the fog, when England compete.
Then the gloom descends again and reality reasserts itself.
Do I need to get out more, or is that the problem?”
Charles, you just did need some sunshine. We all do.
56th over: Australia 230-5 (Carey 3, Green 70) All elegance, Green leans and sends a short one from Wood through backward point for four. In pounds Wood and sends down a succession of more short balls that Green ignores. England need a run-out or something here. A Billings stumping perhaps.
55th over: Australia 226-5 (Carey 3, Green 66) Broad sprints in with full-hearted fury Carey picks up a couple, but watches the rest fly safely by into Billings’ gloves.
54th over: Australia 224-5 (Carey 1, Green 66) A couple of dots, then a juicy one on leg stump which Green sends through midwicket for four with a jaunty air. A second follows , a back foot square drive: delicious.
Night session
53rd over: Australia 216-5 (Carey 1, Green 58) Ollie Robinson does not seem to have taken the field. Meanwhile James Anderson, resting, watches from the sidelines. The sky is now inky black and the fielders shadows are charcoal. Broad is bowling and Billings collects the ball as they run a single, a bundle of energy, collar up, sleeves buttoned down.
@tjaldred Wood so frustrating. Everyone bangs on about what a great guy he is: would rather he was a more consistent bowler tbh. He’s 31 for goodness sake.
— Gareth Wilson (@garethclw) January 14, 2022
He’s not had a good day today but, to be fair, he’s been pretty good for the rest of the series - fast and full-throated, if unlucky. It always helps to be lucky.
I’ve just watched the highlights of the morning session and the elation from England to have Australia on the ropes at 12-3....can they pull something from the hat in this final session? The lights are on, the dark is rising.
Good morning Guy Hornsby!
Morning @tjaldred. Only England could win the toss on a green pitch with only 4 frontline bowlers and get from 12-3 to 200+5 with a lame quick and a (brave) batting only all-rounder clearly still in pain. I know we need runs but we've barely bowled out Aussie this series. Jeez.
— Guy Hornsby (@GuyHornsby) January 14, 2022
Tea/supper/cocktails
52nd over: Australia 215-5 (Carey 1, Green 57) Root signs off the session - his tenth over - and they trundle off for the break. That’s 130 runs in the session, a mature fifty for Green and a glorious hundred for Travis Head before his moment of madness. Time for England to regroup - all is not lost - but Australia counter-punched with dental precision. Time for a quick coffee, but I’ll leave you to ponder this thought from Gary Naylor.
Travis Head couldn't buy a run in that third rate County Championship last season, could he @tjaldred? It seems better at creating Australian Test cricketers than English ones.
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) January 14, 2022
51st over: Australia 212-5 (Carey 1, Green 54) Woakes to Carey: a maiden.
Fifty for Green!
50th over: Australia 212-5 (Carey 1, Green 54) A single through the covers off Root brings Green his fifty - how he’s grown in confidence this series - and the last ball is drilled through the covers, a darling of a shot.
49th over: Australia 204-5 (Carey 0, Green 47) On the balcony the Australians are waiting, and the crowd clap Woakes’s approach to the crease. England polish their boots and scrub their pads, but there it is, a scamper for two through the off-side off just 112 balls. Head gets a big bear hug from Green, pulls off his helmet - his hair heavy with sweat - and grins to a standing ovation from the Hobart crowd. What a rescue act from 12-3. But what is this, he’s just plonked his wicket away with a splodge to mid-on. From elation to desolation in one false shot.
Updated
WICKET! Head c Robinson b Woakes 101 (Australia 204-5)
From nowhere, Head chips Woakes to Robinson the ball after reaching a glorious, gluttonous, humdinger of a century.
Updated
48th over: Australia 201-4 (Green 46, Head 99) I’m not entirely sure whether Robinson is physically unfit to bowl or Root just doesn’t trust him to bowl. Anyway, Root continues, and they pick a few, but Head finishes the over on 99 - tantalisingly close to his second hundred of the series.
Updated
47th over: Australia 197-4 (Green 44, Head 97) Woakes gets the nod and celebrates his recall with a juicy one, verging on half-volley, which Head flicks off the pads and away for four. And merrily we roll along.
46th over: Australia 192-4 (Green 44, Head 92) Three squeezed off Root, but narry a boundary.
“The last time I saw a wicket this green,” writes Jonathan Taylor, “was on the Hill at Kirriemuir – the only ground where you can watch the fall of the wicket from JM Barrie’s Camera Obscura…….. Much like this one the only difference between the wicket & the outfield was it had a set of stumps at either end.”
Updated
45th over: Australia 189-4 (Green 43, Head 90) Broad again, Root doesn’t’ have much choice tbh. The floodlights are on, and on the lush green bank the crowd lounge about. It’s a jumper evening. Just a single comes off it, as England get a breather. Are we close to the witching hour when the lights take over?The commentators seemed to think its approach was why Australia were going at such a clatter.
44th over: Australia 188-4 (Green 43, Head 89) Rejoice, a maiden (Root).
43rd over: Australia 188-4 (Green 43, Head 89) Broad again. Head slaps him through the covers like a bawdy swipe on a night out - and Broad is frustrated by the fielder who doesn’t move, shrugging passive aggressively. He shows the umpire the ball, bits seems to be coming off it - imagine peeling nail varnish - but any request is turned down. Head is now the leading runscorer of this series, leaping Labuschagne.
“Good morning Tanya,” Hello Tone White! “from cold, severe, S of France, glad to hear Doh-gi has gathered the blankets to get comfortable, it may turn out to be a long hard day in the field after the initial Australian fake collapse.An exhausted English team sent in to chase 472 tomorrow night?”
It’s definitely possible.
Updated
42nd over: Australia 184-4 (Green 43, Head 85) Root looks around the field for inspiration.. and bowls himself. Green tickles a single to bring up the hundred partnership in 117 balls. Root eyes betray his feelings. They aren’t joyous.
Updated
41st over: Australia 179-4 (Green 42, Head 84) It’s Broad to stem the flow, but Head square drives a fat one right down to the boundary without moving a toe. Green follows suit two balls later and dispatches a full bunger through the covers for four more.
40th over: Australia 169-4 (Green 37, Head 79) Wood doesn’t deliver his first ball, just sprints all the way from the top of his run to mid-way down the pitch. The first genuine delivery though, is a thick edge which flies through the non-existent slip cordon. And so it continues, with Wood not quite finding his line, and Head and Green squeezing and nursing 12 from the over. Frustration is bubbling.
“You got off lightly, Tanya,” says Jane Evans. “My dog just disappeared backwards out the dog door with the cardboard box from which I had just unpacked a new standard lamp so that I can follow the blog under lights. This is an enjoyable end to the series - variety being the spice of life and all that.”
39th over: Australia 152-4 (Green 32, Head 67) Head is making it look remarkably easy on an April green-seamer. An ease here, a nudge there. The ball ruffles Root’s trousers as Sam Billings continues to chat away from behind the stumps, bubbling with enthusiasm, like a glowworm in the darkness.
38th over: Australia 152-4 (Green 32, Head 67) Head picks up four more square off Broad, and that’s eight off the over as they take drinks, on a cloudy afternoon at Hobart. Advantage Australia, I fancy.
37th over: Australia 144-4 (Green 30, Head 61) Root again, and Green shovels the ball past square leg where Robinson (back on the field) collects with the ease of a creaking wheelbarrow.
Updated
36th over: Australia 139-4 (Green 26, Head 61) It’s Broad, all Ramboesque in his headband, he growls at Green who isn’t ready for his first missive. He stems the flow of runs - but who is going to provide the fire the other end?
Updated
35th over: Australia 138-4 (Green 25, Head 61) Root looks tired and thin as he clutches the pink ball. Australia take a couple as my dog steals her second human blanket, the dog blanket being beneath her.
Updated
34th over: Australia 136-4 (Green 24, Head 60) Mark Wood, whose day hasn’t gone to plan, throws himself onto the midwicket boundary to save one. You watch through your fingers - that plywood body has been through so much this tour. The partnership stretches to 53.
Morning Brian Withington!
“If there was one man who should have been first on the England team-sheet when this wicket was revealed, it was surely the legend that is James Anderson Darren Stevens. I’d back him to get a few jaunty runs on it, too. In passing, is Robinson fit enough for Test cricket?In a series of disappointments, I fear this has all the makings of being the cruellest of all.”
Indeed. “Stevo’s gonna get you” would have been pinging all over the place. And yes, I think Robinson has work to do on his fitness, but, looking on the bright side, there is room for improvement.
Updated
33rd over: Australia 131-4 (Green 21, Head 58) Four singles milked off Root.
Updated
Fifty for Travis Head!
32nd over: Australia 127-4 (Head 56, Green 19) Morning everyone! Great stuff Jonathan, you’re a natural, you even nudged England from a position of strength to a careworn Joe Root having a bowl after 32 overs. Head goes to his fifty with a flick to fine leg off Woakes, and another through mid--off two balls later. The ECB report that Robinson is off the field with lower back stiffness, but will be back soon.
Updated
31st over: Australia 119-4 (Head 48, Green 19) Head is far from orthodox, but he’s nearing another Test half century in the most challenging of conditions. He and Green are coasting right now. Wood is 50/0 from seven overs, which is less than ideal on this pitch. I dare say it’s pretty chilly in Hobart right now, and some of the locals seem suitably well oiled.
Updated
29th over: Australia 107-4 (Head 42, Green 17) Head’s Covid scare hasn’t scuppered his natural dash. He’s 42 off 43 balls after striding to the crease at 12-3. Green thick edges a boundary.
Updated
28th over: Australia 102-4 (Head 38, Green 12) Things have settled down a bit after the first session pyrotechnics. I’ll shortly pass the baton over to Tanya Aldred in sunny Manchester. Thanks for going easy on me for my first OBO!
Updated
27th over: Australia 100-4 (Head 38, Green 10) I clearly went too hard at poor Ollie Robinson. He’s currently off the field and being tended to. It looks like a side strain but I’m not an MD. Australia reach their century.
Updated
26th over: Australia 97-4 (Head 37, Green 8) After a wonderful opening spell, Robinson has come out in trundle mode after lunch, and Green duly sends a loosener where it belongs. Head then follows suit. Ollie’s running in like he’s knocked over about three large steaks at lunch. And worryingly, he’s now left the field.
Updated
25th over: Australia 88-4 (Head 33, Green 3) We’re back on board, Novak’s been given his marching orders, and Wood is back into the attack. He’s already roughed up Head, and is noticeably tighter than his opening three over spell.
Updated
In other news...
BREAKING: Alex Hawke has cancelled Novak Djokovic’s visa. @9NewsAUS @2GB873
— Chris O'Keefe (@cokeefe9) January 14, 2022
If you can bear to peel yourself away from the dinner break, you can follow reaction with our liveblog:
Updated
“Hope this email finds you well”
— The Grade Cricketer (@gradecricketer) January 14, 2022
How this email finds me: pic.twitter.com/5l85URrDJa
Warren Skaife asks, not unreasonably: “Was Marnus’ dismissal the ugliest seen at any level of cricket?” I once saw a bloke in park cricket swallow a bee, and get run out mid pitch. By the time he’d trudged, off his face had ballooned up threefold. The poor bloke deserved a call back , surely, but local cricket in Australia is pitiless. And yes, it was ugly for Manus, especially as he was seeing them so well.
Lunch! Australia 85-4 (Head 31, Green 2)
The crowd is capped at 11,000, and masks are mandatory, but they’re certainly getting value for money. England made five changes, finally had some luck at the toss, and had the Aussies on the ropes at 12-3. But Labuschagne and Head steadied the ship, before Manus completely botched a fuller Broad delivery, fluffing about like a man with six left feet. An entertaining session and an even contest. I’m off for a coffee.
Updated
23rd over: Australia 84-4 (Head 31, Green 1) I’m still coming to terms with Marnus’ dismissal. He was bating so well, and tied himself in about a dozen different knots. Super bowling from Broad, but one of the weirder dismissals you’ll see.
Updated
WICKET! Labushagne 44 b Broad (Australia 83-4)
Extraordinary ball from Broad and Marnus makes a right royal mess of it! England are right back in it now.
Updated
22nd over: Australia 83-3 (Labuschagne 44, Head 31) Head keeps slashing, riding his luck, and baffling all and sundry with his shot selection. You’re always a chance, no many how many pies you’re throwing at him. But he’s still going at a run a ball.
Updated
21st over: Australia 79-3 (Labuschagne 44, Head 27) The Labuschagne/Head partnership is now 67. The Aussies looked gone for all money after ten overs but they’ve now taken full control.
Updated
20th over: Australia 77-3 (Labuschagne 42, Head 27) Marnus steps down a green, seaming wicket and contemptuously flicks Woakes over mid-wicket for six. He’s seeing them a treat.
19th over: Australia 71-3 (Labuschagne 37, Head 26) Wood is quickly taken off, after conceding 31 from three wobbly overs. A much tighter over from the relieving Broad.
18th over: Australia 68-3 (Labuschagne 37, Head 23) The pitch may be green, but the outfield is outrageously quick. It’s clearly a tough wicket to get a start on, but there’s runs to be had once you get your eye in. The lights are now on, the two Aussies are flaying ‘em, and the visitors are getting frustrated.
17th over: Australia 65-3 (Labuschagne 37, Head 20) An hour ago, it looked like Australia could have be bowling by sundown. But Labuschagne and Head have wrested back control here. Stokes and Wood, teammates at county level, need to get their act together. And England will be ruing dropping Marnus on nought. He’s now 37 from as many balls.
Updated
16th over: Australia 50-3 (Labuschagne 26, Head 16) Woakes replaces Robinson and immediately cops a pounding from Head. He’s an old school dasher and is very lucky not to balloon a stinker of a shot to Stokes. You certain do take the good with the bad with Head! Marnus then creams a gift from Woakes for his sixth four. England have to be careful not to cough up their early advantage.
Updated
15th over: Australia 41-3 (Labuschagne 22, Head 11) A superb boundary saving dive from Stokes certainly tested his beaten-up body. He looked a little proppy pulling up, but when hasn’t he this summer? Head is now having a dash at Wood, who may not be suited to these conditions. These two Aussies are holding up ok here. Marnus has five boundaries and is looking a treat.
14th over: Australia 30-3 (Labuschagne 17, Head 5) Robinson is probing, and the ball is still zinging all over the place. He’s going at 15-2 off seven overs – outstanding bowling. But he’s finally getting the wobbles and may need a rest.
13th over: Australia 29-3 (Labuschagne 17, Head 4) Enter Mark Wood, who, to pardon the worst of puns, has the wood on the Aussie No 3, having sent him packing at their past three meetings. Stuff you, says Marnus, who immediately flicks a half volley off leg for 4. Time for drinks.
Updated
12th over: Australia 24-3 (Labuschagne 13, Head 3) Robinson is eyeing off these two like they’re giant pork chops. But Marnus isn’t the circumspect type and immediately dispatches him to the mid-off boundary. Wonderful, entertaining cricket from both men.
11th over: Australia 17-3 (Labuschagne 9, Head 0) It’s hard going for batsmen and it’s hard going for live bloggers! I hope our English readers just emerging from their slumber are enjoying this skittle-fest. These are decidedly English conditions and they’re revelling in it. But Labuschagne, who has a remarkable record in first innings, is showing a lot of pluck with a sumptuous 4 off Broad.
10th over: Australia 12-3 (Labuschagne 5, Head 0) Welcome back to Test cricket Travis Head! The ball is pinging all over the place right now.
Updated
WICKET! Smith 0 c Crawley b Robinson (Australia 12-3)
Robinson gets the star Aussie second ball. He’s moving it both ways, and the Aussies are all at sea right now. Carnage.
Updated
WICKET! Khawaja c Root b Broad 0 (Australia 7-2)
Broad tempts him, and the skipper gobbles it up. Australia are in all sorts here. Superb stuff from the opening quicks.
Updated
8th over: Australia 7-1 (Labuschagne 0, Khawaja 6) Marnus leaves his opening ball that misses off stump by the proverbial bee’s buttock. He’s then flirts at one outside off, which Crawley spills at second slip after leaping right in the way of his captain. Robinson is in his element out there.
Updated
7th over: Australia 7-1 (Labuschagne 0, Khawaja 6) Khawaja is starting to get in his groove, punishing a couple of loose Broad ones. We’re half an hour in and we’ve had just the three scoring shots. Slow going.
WICKET! Warner c Crawley b Robinson 0 (Australia 3-1)
A peach of a ball from Robinson and nice safe hands from Crawley. Warner never looked comfortable and he finally succumbs after 22 scoreless balls.
Updated
5th over: Australia 3-0 (Warner 0, Khawaja 2) Yet another maiden. Warner has faced 16 balls without a run, but he’s much better at batting ugly these days.
Updated
4th over: Australia 2-0 (Warner 0, Khawaja 2) It’s tight, tough cricket but the pitch is not as treacherous as it may have appeared an hour ago. Nonetheless, Robinson’s fifth ball moves a mile.
Updated
3rd over: Australia 2-0 (Warner 0, Khawaja 2) Broad changed boots and immediately tempts Warner well outside off stump, and very nearly has him chopping on several balls later. Runs are clearly going to be hard earned here. We’re going to miss these Broad/Warner battles.
Updated
2nd over: Australia 2-0 (Warner 0, Khawaja 2) Robinson starts bang on target, beating Khawaja’s bat straight up. But a lovely flick off leg from Khawaja gets things ticking.
Updated
1st over: Australia 0-0 (Warner 0, Khawaja 0) Bit of a wacky start as Broad barrels head-first into the pitch after his first ball. A maiden to kick things off for the quick, in what will surely be his final Test in Australia. What a wonderful cricketer he’s been.
Updated
A beautiful Welcome to Country, which includes a shout out to Scott Boland (“his success will not only inspire emerging cricketers but give merit to coaches, supporters and administrators who have battled to ensure pathways are created for First Nations people, sporting pathways and pathways to reconciliation”) and then two cracking renditions of the respective national anthems. Ceremonial duties are completed and we’re ready to go.
Updated
These two gentlemen will take guard shortly.
The 90s just seemed way easier 😂😂 @usman_khawajy #cricketer #ashes #friends #brothers https://t.co/FRygBXS4yW
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) January 13, 2022
Play to begin at 3:30pm, local time.
Updated
As expected, just the one change for the Australians, with Travis Head replacing Marcus Harris, and Usman Khawaja moving up the order. He has an incredible record as an opener but this will be some sort of challenge.
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon #Ashes
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 14, 2022
A host of changes for England. No Anderson, who was born to bowl on pitches like this. Jonny Bairstow didn’t come up. A Test debut for Sam Billings, currently the keeper for the Sydney Thunder, and England’s 700th Test cap.
England XI: Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Sam Billings (wk), Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad #Ashes
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 14, 2022
England win the toss and bowl
An absolute no brainer.
Updated
The rain has stopped for now; toss 3pm. Join us on @1116sen from Bellerive. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/8QcEeS7Ixv
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) January 14, 2022
Some extraordinary footage here. If rain persists, I’ll link to the longer clip where Beefy is interrogated for an hour by a bunch of angry 9-year-old Scots - up there with the funniest thing I’ve seen on the internet.
Start your Test match with some truly rare stuff: how Botham's Queensland stint ended in 1988 #Ashes https://t.co/QuoMHFeIO6
— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig) January 14, 2022
In this chilly climes, Brendan from Sydney reminds us that Onslow in Western Australia yesterday recorded Australia’s hottest ever temperature - 50.7 degrees. Not sure how our English readers would cope with that. Not ideal conditions for swing bowing either.
It’s raining. It’s Tasmania. But it doesn’t look too nasty. The 3pm start may be in peril, but the weather boffins remain confident the rain shouldn’t be too much of a factor today.
Updated
Holy heck! Every half-decent seamer from Hobart to Hull just started short circuiting. A rare sight on these shores.
Here's a closer look at the pitch in Hobart for the fifth #Ashes Test 💚
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 14, 2022
Play starts at 3pm AEDT pic.twitter.com/E4J0tabmxj
And here’s Ali Martin, who’s been in fine fettle throughout the series, on an England team shambling to the end of a rough tour.
To kick things off, here’s a wonderfully evocative piece from Geoff Lemon on Tasmania; just how beautiful it is, just how cold it is (by Australian standards!) and just what this Test match means to the locals.
Preamble
Hello all, and welcome to our over-by-over coverage of the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test. Weather permitting, and it rarely permits in this part of Australia, play kicks off in Hobart at 3pm local time - that’s 4am in the UK.
“We’re here preparing for the biggest sporting event Tasmania has ever seen,” the State’s Minister for Recreation and Sport said earlier this week. And indeed, there’s lots to be excited about in the Apple Isle. It’s first Test match in the state for five years. It’s the first ever Ashes Test in Tasmania. And it’s Hobart’s first day/night Test. The ball is pink. The pitch is greener than Bob Brown. The skies are temperamental. There’s plenty to look forward to.
The rest of the country, it must be said, has other concerns. Covid is rampant, the supply chains are breaking down, the federal government is dithering, and the national mood is bleak. The smirking mug of Novak Djokovic leads the news every night. A Test cricket match, dead rubber notwithstanding, is a welcome distraction from all that.
A bruised and battered England side is looking to win its first Test in Australia since 2010-11. The fourth Test was an absolute doozy and the visitors will be looking to go one better and salvage something from what’s been a dire month and a bit. Australia’s record in pink ball home Tests is extraordinary – nine Tests, nine wins. The bookmakers have them as prohibitive favourites. For the rest of us, something resembling the final day in Sydney would do nicely.
