ENGLAND were skittled for just 147 by Australia on the opening day of the Ashes, but Ollie Pope believes an unlikely first victory at the Gabba in 35 years is not yet beyond them.
This was a nightmare start for the tourists, with Joe Root opting to bat first, and Rory Burns bowled behind his legs by Mitchell Starc to the first ball of the series.
They were soon 29 for four, with only helpful contributions from Haseeb Hameed, Pope and Jos Buttler taking them to 147, but none could go on against Australia’s relentless attack. Even on a green pitch under cloudy skies, that total feels plenty under par. Rain prevented England bowling in the final session after being bowled out in 50.1 overs on the stroke of tea.
Junior batter Pope was asked to front up to the media after a tough opening day after which Root — who made one of three England ducks — was facing questions over his decision at the toss and team selection, with both James Anderson and Stuart Broad left out of the XI.
In stark contrast, Australia’s new captain Pat Cummins took five wickets in an outstanding display from his bowlers.
This story is from the December 08, 2021 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 08, 2021 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Kane vows to deliver 'something special' to help lift mood at downbeat Bayern
THERE is a joke doing the rounds that the most useful German word Harry Kane has mastered at Bayern Munich is 'schadenfreude.
Giving frozen Russian assets to Ukraine would be a game changer, says 'Putin's enemy No 1'
BRITAIN and countries worldwide were today urged to use hundreds of billions of pounds of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's war against Vladimir Putin, as a London businessman known as the Kremlin leader's \"number one enemy\" said it would be a \"total game changer\" in the conflict.
GUNNERS MUST BE PITCH-PERFECT ON DEFINING NIGHT FOR CAMPAIGN
MIKEL ARTETA wants Arsenal to stand up and be counted - and what better place for them to do that than here in the Bavarian capital.
ARTETA: HISTORY IS OURS TO MAKE
RALLYING CRY AS BOSS SEEKS WIN TO PROPEL ARSENAL TO NEXT LEVEL
Guardiola's reality check as City bid to keep treble hopes alive
THE motivation for Manchester City tonight is nothing short of the chance to become arguably the greatest club side of all-time.
ASOS shares climb despite £270m loss
ONLINE clothes retailer ASOS reported another huge loss today as it continued to clear its mountain of excess stock.
Smaller fall in inflation dents June rate cut hopes
HOPES of a June interest rate cut from the Bank of England were rapidly fading today after a smaller-than-expected fall in the rate of inflation \"put a spanner in the works\".
City's toughest opponent? The asterisk by their titles
BAYER LEVERKUSEN'S historic Bundesliga title, which broke Bayern Munich's run of 11 consecutive German championships, leaves the Premier League at risk of assuming an unwanted status.
Trump's Stormy Daniels trial is looking like lawfare gone wrong
ON DAY one of the first criminal trial of a former president of the United States, Donald Trump appeared to nod off for a few minutes. It happened again on day two.
Stylish, bold and mesmerising this period piece is must-watch TV
BOLD. Super stylish. Intelligent. Luxuriously made and unhurried, it's hard to watch Capote vs Swans without reaching for hyperbole.