Ashes 2017/18 - Adelaide Day 1 and 2 - Devon Represented At Test Level Again

Not since Paignton's Chris Read walked from the SCG in 2007 has Devon Cricket been represented for England's Three Lions. With the selection of North Devon CC's Craig Overton in place of Jake Ball for the 2nd Ashes Test at the stunning brand new architecture of the Adelaide Oval, years of predictions from many within the Westcountry about the appearance of one or both of the Overton twins have borne fruit. The overriding opinion is that it is a matter of time before Jamie will do the same as Craig, and represent England.

For the first time as a Day/Night prospect, with a pink ball and overcast conditions, Adelaide was supposed to favour the England pace attack. History suggests that at Adelaide you win the toss and bat. Joe Root did the opposite, and took a huge gamble in doing so. There is method to the perceived madness; of the two previous day/night Test matches at Adelaide it has been the team batting second that has come out on top. Both times, Australia. With moisture around, cloud cover and a Pink Kookaburra that promised pronounced movement perhaps it wasn't such a gamble at all? Unless you take into account that this is an Ashes series, and anything can happen.

England toiled for 180 overs at The Gabba less than a week ago so perhaps it may have been prudent to give them a little bit of extra rest. That we opine as such is with hindsight because England did not bowl at all well to begin with. Even without the BT Sport feed, you can almost hear Geoff Boycott losing his mind on commentary; "You CANNOT bowl short at Headingley on this pitch! My mother could've hit that wi' a stick of rhu-baaaarb!" A shocking piece of calling by David Warner brought England's first wicket, a "Yes! No! Wait! Sorry!" selling Cameron Bancroft down the river as Chris Woakes scored a direct hit. Shades of Jonathan Trott in 2010 with Ponting falling next ball? Not to be.

England were suddenly galvanised by that wicket and began to bowl much, much better. Anderson and Broad threatening without ever getting on top. Chris Woakes was again slightly off colour and Overton was given his chance. Usman Khawaja batted with poise and dignity in the face of much criticism after Brisbane, and looked to take the game to Moeen Ali. It was almost a shock when David Warner nicked behind on 47, and even more of a shock that Khawaja produced a false shot only to be shelled at Long Leg. Fortunately for England he only added 9 more runs, but that allowed him to bring up his 50.

Steve Smith had riled the England camp after Brisbane by laughing at a press conference, which is almost as pathetic as it sounds. But if that's what England need to fire themselves up and get into the series then so be it. Stuart Broad and James Anderson made their feelings known to the Australian Captain, and it appeared to get under his skin. Smith's idiosyncrasies multiplied and he was far more fidgety than normal. He reached 40 and the thought began to develop that England's tactic hadn't worked. Enter Craig Overton. First delivery of a new spell, having just been told by Smith that he was too slow (he had been bowling in the high 120's/low 130's compared with Australia's average of 140kmh at the Gabba) he put one through a little quicker. The ball nipped back off the seam and all Smith could do was inside edge the ball, squeezing onto his pads and back onto the stumps. Overton's first international wicket could hardly have been any bigger.

Reaching the end of Day 1 further unscathed was a great result for Australia; England won the toss and bowled, but only took 4 wickets. Three deliveries into the second day and Stuart Broad removed Handscomb and together with Anderson looked to be turning the screw. They bowled without luck, and the longer that went on the more frustration entered their game. Anderson had an lbw decision against Shaun Marsh overturned, Hawk-Eye suggesting the ball would have gone over the stumps when side-on vision looked like the Umpire's original decision wasn't such a bad one. Shortly after, Anderson successfully appealed for lbw against Paine, however this one was much more clear cut. Paine reviewed, the ball easily going over the top.

From there on in, it was the Shaun Marsh show. In an age of unorthodox batting techniques, Marsh was the classic Test batsmen and completely unruffled in reaching his 5th Test hundred, one more than his father Geoff. It is one thing to come out and play such an innings, but to do it under the spotlight of a nation questioning his selection, talent and right to a spot in the side will have done wonders for his confidence. It will have brought his nation right behind him, not on his back. Once the milestone was reached he and Pat Cummins opened their shoulders, Cummins making a quick-fire 44. With the declaration imminent, Marsh deposited Stuart Broad straight back over his head for 6 with a sublime lofted straight drive. No better feeling for an Australian batsman.

Alastair Cook and Mark Stoneman were to face a very tricky 28 overs under lights with the new pink ball. There is a conspiracy theory that the speed guns are turned up for the Australian bowlers. Incredibly, Mitchell Starc hit 150kmh in his first over but even more incredible was that Josh Hazlewood topped 145 very early on too! The opening pair rolled the scoreboard over nicely but Starc showed just how dangerous he is, trapping Stoneman lbw in front and surely laughing inside at Stoneman's decision to review. England now only have one unsuccessful challenge left for the rest of their innings. Remember, they no longer top up after 80 overs.

That the rain came may have saved England from further damage. They will come out tomorrow in the middle of the day and have to see off the new ball and make inroads to Australia's 442-8dec, before the twilight hours where the ball moves around more. Alastair Cook and Joe Root in particular NEED to stand up if this Ashes series is to remain alive. Bat poorly in this match, and England can kiss goodbye to that precious little prized urn.