Ashes 2017/18 - Gabba Day 2 - We Have A Contest!

Early on in proceedings you could have been forgiven for thinking that Australia had missed a trick by not going straight for an intimidatory tactic of well-directed short-pitched bowling, Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan making a comfortable start to the day without much alarm. It took a few overs but the anticipated tactic arrived and predictably when it comes to England it worked. From relative comfort at 246-4 the tourists found themselves on 250-7 with both set batsmen gone and Chris Woakes misadventure early putting England in a perilous position.

Malan appeared ever comfortable on what seemed early on to be a flaccid Gabba wicket, easily dealing with Starc's timid bouncers but the New South Welshman finally managed to convince Malan into one pull too many, a top edge finding Shaun Marsh at Deep Square Leg. The following over Moeen Ali was trapped in front by Nathan Lyon, an easy decision (and correct one) as modern Umpires don't hesitate to give LBW's on the front foot for spinners anymore. That left two new batsmen at the crease on a pitch offering turn and bounce, Woakes duly succumbing to an ambitious drive outside off stump and getting himself bowled through the gate.

Stuart Broad, a fan favourite in Brisbane, has lost confidence in his ability to play the short ball since suffering a nasty facial injury against India in 2014, when after hooking two successive sixes the third attempt went through the grille of his helmet and left him with two black eyes. That lack of confidence was evident this morning as Starc and in particular Cummins targeted him with a barrage. Equally uncomfortable were Jake Ball and James Anderson, but Ball's willingness to get after Lyon saw England pass 300 which is a minor moral victory.

Anderson and Broad were on the receiving end of some verbals while batting, the stump mic picking up Broad telling Cummins to "Shut up!" after one exchange with Anderson, but whereas 4 years ago the English pair seemed timid against a fired up Mitchell Johnson they had a steely determination in their eyes while facing an attack that has a long way to go before building an aura anything close to previous Australian quicks.

Upon Bancroft and Warner entering the field, Anderson and Broad bowled with intent and while Warner appeared more than adept at farming the strike, Bancroft was dismissed early as Broad found the edge. Usman Khawaja is a conundrum, and it appears Joe Root has done his homework because even on the home soil which Khawaja has played so much state cricket for Queensland he has a deficiency against spin bowling. Root introduced Moeen Ali first change, Khawaja playing and missing his first delivery against Ali, then trapped in front with the second. No need for a review. I would hope that Khawaja left his pads on and took Nathan Lyon to the Gabba nets to have an intensive workover on a flaw that England will look to expose if Khawaja continues to play in this series. Glenn Maxwell's double-hundred for Victoria against New South Wales today will have caught the eye of a selector or two.

Warner going about the business of strike rotation alongside Steve Smith was a crucial part of the game, and again it showed that Root and the England heirachy have done their research. Tucking Warner up and not allowing him to free his arms in the last Ashes series led to Warner playing a strange, angled, chop-pull kind of shot, losing his wicket at least three times in such fashion in the 2015 series. Today, Broad and Anderson used the same tactic and Jake Ball reaped the rewards, Warner caught at mid-wicket playing the same shot for just 26.

Peter Handscomb bats very deep in his crease and James Anderson got just reward for aiming at the stumps although originally Aleem Dar turned down the appeal. An excellent review left Australia teetering on 76-4, and England very much on top but with Smith still in. No team has yet worked out exactly what Smith's weaknesses are, and the Australian Captain has an intelligence and ability to adapt his game which have led to his meteoric rise to become one of, if not the best batsmen in world cricket. He passed his fifty with not much more than a slight acknowledgement of the applause, the body language suggesting he has his sights on a big big hundred tomorrow.

Although much maligned, Shaun Marsh came in and played beautifully alongside Smith, timing cover drives and clips through midwicket with the grace of a Damien Martin or Mark Waugh, and in the face of some good bowling from England saw Australia safely to the close with an unbeaten partnership of 89. Marsh on 44 not out will look to pass fifty and together with Smith take Australia into a healthy lead.

The morning session was undoubtedly Australia's, and although England made four breakthroughs with a lead of over 200, the hosts have fought and fought to be in a position where honours are still very much even. The first session tomorrow will be pivotal in dictating where this Test Match goes, If England come out with a first innings lead of between 30 and 50, they will be delighted, but Australia bat long and themselves will be looking at 400. England's failure to convert one of those fifties into a century could come back to bite them. Australia currently hold an Ace or two but England can dig deep into their pack to produce a Joker. Just two days in, and we're already being treated to quite a game.