For the reason that tragic passing of Phil Hughes in 2014, cricket followers shudder at any time when a batter drops to the deck after being struck on the sector.

On Thursday afternoon, within the 82nd over of Australia’s first innings on the Gabba, Wooden delivered a 136kmph full toss, and Head had no time to react because the ball struck him on the glove earlier than ricocheting into his chin.

His teammates had an anxious look whereas the group shuddered after the wayward supply knocked over the No. 5 batter.

A fast Beamer from Mark Wooden hit Travis Head on his physique and he’s down.#Ashes #Ashes2021 #TravisHead pic.twitter.com/62eBp6LFrh

— Sravan (@Sravan_457) December 9, 2021

Wooden instantly supplied an apology as medics rushed to the bottom. “Little bit of a reminder of Phil Hughes there. I do know they had been nice mates.” – stated Brett Lee on commentary.

We’re glad Marnus Labuschagne discovered this humorous

“I’m unsure why he’s obtained a smile there? The 2 both aspect are fairly frightened…”

Travis Head was cleaned up by a Mark Wooden beamer, one thing his teammate discovered hilarious #AshesDaily | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/LEon4bmYSF

— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) December 9, 2021

Head reached his century from 85 deliveries with a pushed boundary off Chris Waokes, ending any uncertainty over his choice with the third-fastest Ashes century — an innings containing 12 fours and two sixes.

He recovered to complete unbeaten on 112 at stumps.

Warner had an enormous reprieve on 17 off a no-ball from Ben Stokes, one of many many occasions the England allrounder overstepped however one of many few he was referred to as for. Warner was additionally dropped within the slips on 48 and narrowly averted being run out as he scrambled again to his crease on 60.

However he ran out of luck after sharing partnerships of 156 with Marnus Labuschagne (74) for the second wicket and 23 with Steve Smith (12) for the third, lastly out simply after the tea interval when Ollie Robinson took two wickets with consecutive deliveries.

Robinson had Warner caught within the covers by Stokes after which bowled Cameron Inexperienced, who didn’t play a shot to a ball that hit his off stump, throughout a interval when Australia slid from 189-2 to 195-5.

New wicketkeeper Alex Carey efficiently blocked the hat-trick ball, his first supply in take a look at cricket, however was out for 12 as England clawed again to have the Australians at 236-6.

Head and captain Pat Cummins mixed in a 70-run stand that restored Australia’s dominance and accelerated the scoring as England’s fielding received ragged.

The partnership ended when England skipper Joe Root picked up the wicket of his counterpart, having Cummins caught at leg slip.

Head continued with Mitchell Starc and was on 96 when he tried a sweep to Root, was hit on the arm and Burns couldn’t attain because the ball ballooned down the leg facet.

He reached his century from 85 deliveries with a pushed boundary off Chris Waokes, ending any uncertainty over his choice with the third-fastest Ashes century — an innings containing 12 fours and two sixes.

Head was felled by a full-toss from Mark Wooden when he was on 105, hit on the glove and helmet earlier than falling to the bottom, however recovered to complete unbeaten on 112 at stumps.

“In the present day it went my approach, however loads of the work was executed by the highest order,” Head stated. England “received on somewhat little bit of a run. I simply tried to get some momentum again and as soon as we received that, attempt to benefit from it.”

Warner’s survival and Stokes’ supply stride have been the 2 predominant speaking factors on Thursday.

Warner received his first reprieve from the TV umpire after being overwhelmed by Stokes, bowling his first over in a take a look at match since March.

TV broadcaster Channel 7 confirmed Stokes had additionally overstepped the crease on his earlier three deliveries and never been referred to as by the umpires. The Ashes broadcaster later revealed Stokes had overstepped the entrance crease 14 occasions within the opening session on Day 2 and had solely been referred to as twice for a no-ball.

Cricket Australia stated a expertise downside on the Gabba meant that the third umpire, Paul Wilson, couldn’t evaluate TV replays of each supply to verify if bowlers have been over-stepping the crease, leaving it to the on-field umpires to make the calls.

Robinson returned the most effective figures for the England bowlers, taking 3-48 from 18 overs on an prolonged second day, and likewise having an opportunity put down.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach picked up the important thing wicket of Labuschagne, however was in any other case punished by the Australian batting lineup and and returned 1-95 from 11 overs.

Stokes was restricted to only 9 overs and conceded 50 runs, showing to be struggling together with his health when he bowled late with the outdated ball.

England bowling coach Jon Lewis stated Stokes would have been capable of repair up his bowling run-up if he’d been referred to as for no-ball earlier by the umpires. Lewis additionally defended the make-up of the bowling assault, regardless of veterans Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad lacking choice and spinner Leach struggling in opposition to the Australians.

“If we’d all bowled to the most effective of our potential, we might have put Australia underneath extra strain,” he stated. “We took seven Australian wickets, we’re nonetheless behind within the recreation … however there’s nonetheless three days left on this take a look at match. I’m certain we’re going to return again sturdy.”

Just one was known as by the on-field umpire, as Australian opener David Warner had an enormous reprieve on 17 off a no-ball from Stokes, one of many many instances the 30-year-old overstepped however one of many few he was known as for.

Ben stokes bowled 14 no balls just one is given as no ball#ashes #Ashes2021 pic.twitter.com/m4HhRROVTt

— WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP NEWS (@RISHItweets123) December 9, 2021

The primary Ashes Take a look at has been plunged into controversy after a serious breakdown in know-how. Englishman Ben Stokes bowled 14 no balls – only one was picked up – and it value the vacationers massive time. https://t.co/XovSTF0QhC @MattThompson @7Cricket #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/vGkIqEpJoJ

— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) December 9, 2021

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting was livid and lashed out at match officers for his or her ‘pathetic officiating’ and permitting Stokes get away with the unlawful deliveries.

“If it’s somebody upstairs who’s purported to be checking these, and in the event that they haven’t determined that any of these are a no-ball, it’s pathetic officiating so far as I’m involved. If (Ben Stokes) had been known as for a no-ball the primary one he bowled, then after all he’s going to pull his foot again.”

Former umpire Simon Taufel shared his ideas and stated: “Definitely based on the enjoying circumstances and know-how course of, they’re purported to be checking each ball. I actually can’t clarify why they weren’t (checked). They (the third umpire) do have the help of an ICC technician in that third umpire’s field. Along with that technician, they’re purported to be each ball and whether it is shut, they’ll study it and name it.”

Based on the principles of the sport: “The third umpire shall evaluate tv replays of the bowler’s entrance foot touchdown and, if he/she is happy that any of those three circumstances haven’t been met, he/she shall instantly advise the bowler’s finish umpire who shall in flip instantly name and sign No-ball.”

Solely wicket-taking deliveries are being checked for no ball by TV umpire this match. All different deliveries are accountability of on-field umpire. #ashes #Stokes #Warner https://t.co/6BfRaKT26y

— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) December 9, 2021

In the meantime, David Warner arrange the innings with a chance-filled 94 and Travis Head took over with an unbeaten century after a mini-collapse within the center order to information Australia to 343-7 at stumps on Day 2, a 196-run lead within the Ashes collection opener.

There was one obtrusive mis-step from Ben Stokes which value England a wicket on the second morning of the Ashes, giving Australian opener David Warner a reprieve when he was on 17.

It quickly emerged that Stokes, bowling his first over in a take a look at match since March, had additionally overstepped the crease on his earlier three deliveries and never been referred to as for a no-ball by the umpires.

Later nonetheless, Australia’s Ashes broadcaster Channel 7 revealed Stokes had overstepped the entrance crease 14 occasions in Thursdays’ opening session and had solely been referred to as twice for a no-ball.

The missed alternative on Warner was an issue for Stokes and England. The amended determination: no ball. Warner received to play on. One run was added to the entire _ within the sundries column _ and an additional supply needed to be bowled within the over.

what the hell did simply occur? Stokes clear bowled Warner however on a no ball. unbelievable. right now’s 1st no ball and that too on a wicket taking supply. @CricketAus @englandcricket #TheAshes pic.twitter.com/m70mKgoWvM

— ansh sharma (@anshVK183) December 9, 2021

However it uncovered an even bigger downside for the match officers.

Cricket Australia stated a expertise downside on the Gabba meant that the third umpire, Paul Wilson, couldn’t evaluation TV replays of each supply to verify if bowlers had been over-stepping the crease, leaving it to the on-field umpires to make the calls.

Ex-Australia take a look at captain Ricky Ponting described it as “pathetic officiating” through the match commentary.

Solely wicket-taking deliveries are being checked for no ball by TV umpire this match. All different deliveries are duty of on-field umpire. #ashes #Stokes #Warner https://t.co/6BfRaKT26y

— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) December 9, 2021

The Worldwide Cricket Council is accountable for the implementation of that system that enables the TV official to verify for no-balls.

Earlier than a change within the guidelines final 12 months, it was customary follow for on-field umpires to tell bowlers once they had been near over-stepping and to sign a no-ball.

England captain Joe Root, chatting with Fox Cricket throughout a break in play, stated the lacking likelihood in opposition to Warner was “irritating.”

“The actual fact we’re creating a superb variety of possibilities is actually pleasing,” he stated. “We’ve received to remain assured … maintain trusting what we’re doing and believing we’ll get the rewards.”

England was bowled out for 147 on day one of many sequence Wednesday, a tally the Australians handed with the lack of one wicket.

Australia Squad: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Inexperienced, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Swepson

England Squad: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wooden, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Jonny Bairstow, Craig Overton, Daniel Lawrence, Dominic Bess, Zak Crawley

Australia Squad: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Inexperienced, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Swepson

England Squad: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wooden, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Jonny Bairstow, Craig Overton, Daniel Lawrence, Dominic Bess, Zak Crawley

The ball was transferring in the direction of leg stump. Rory Burns’s entrance leg was transferring in the direction of off. A battle of pursuits ensued and he was locked out of place with no time to do something however gasp because the ball curved in late to knock out the leg stump. A primary-ball duck in Ashes.

WHAT A WAY TO START THE #ASHES! pic.twitter.com/XtaiJ3SKeV

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2021

On-air was Shane Warne, who simply hours in the past had referred to as for Starc to be dropped for the Check. Warne couldn’t virtually imagine what his eyes had seen. “Leg stump half-volley,” he would say. “That didn’t swing”. His colleague on air would say it did and whilst replays performed out, Warne might be heard muttering in disbelief, “What?” The social media would, in fact, roast him nevertheless it wasn’t simply Warne who referred to as it as he noticed it.

Michael Atherton, former England captain, too shared the view. On the lunchtime dialogue on SEN radio, he would say, “that was a leg-stump half volley. What opening batsmen dream about.” However Warne is copping it on the social media.

Has a first-ball duck occurred earlier than in an Ashes Check?

Now we have to go method again to 1936 collection between the 2 and to the identical venue at Brisbane. It was Don Bradman’s first collection as a captain, the primary England tour to Australia after the notorious Bodyline. England’s opener Thomas Worthington would nick the primary ball from the tall Ernest McCormick to the wicketkeeper Bert Oldfield. Nevertheless, England would win that match courtesy a thunderstorm that turned the pitch right into a sticky wicket on the final day and Australia collapsed. Poor Worthington solely performed two extra matches, averaging 12.33, and was described by Wisden as “lifeless out of luck all through the journey”.

It wasn’t the primary time he had bought out for a duck in his temporary profession of 9 Checks. On his debut towards New Zealand in 1930, he had gone for a duck, batting at No. 7. Within the fourth Check in the identical collection, he fell with out scoring once more. He would tour India for 2 Checks six years later and hit 87 and 128.

How would Worthington play a vital position in turning India’s fortunes?

Years later, after he grew to become Lancashire’s coach, he would come to Hyderabad for a six-week teaching camp for schoolboys from across the nation, organised by the Indian cricket board in 1965. Amongst them was a boy named Sunil Gavaskar.

Right here is Gavaskar in his ebook Sunny days. “There have been thirty schoolboy cricketers within the camp and Mr TS Worthington, the previous England participant, was our coach. Mr Worthington modified my method to the English one and gave me many invaluable suggestions.’ Worthington advocated the advantage of side-on batting method and instilled within the child the advantage of the basic V – the arc between mid-off to mid-on, and fundamentals of batting. Gavaskar’s flaws have been remedied and an “English” method was set in place. Worthington died 8 years later in 1973, after Gavaskar would make a jaw-dropping debut in West Indies.

On the subject of first-ball folklore within the Ashes, new Australia captain Pat Cummins thinks it’s time for a success to take priority over a miss.

Left-arm tempo bowler Mitchell Starc took out Rory Burns’ leg stump with a swinging yorker on the primary supply of the Ashes sequence on Wednesday, and England misplaced its first wicket earlier than scoring a run within the opening check on the Gabba. It set in movement two classes of dominance from Australia’s bowling assault, which dismissed England for 147 earlier than heavy rain and unhealthy gentle mixed to convey an early finish to play on Day 1.

The dismissal of Burns was immediately in contrast with a fateful first-ball second for Steve Harmison, the England paceman who bowled so broad on the opening supply of the 2006 sequence on the Gabba that it was fielded at second slip. England had entered that sequence on the again of a drought-breaking Ashes triumph at residence in 2005, however surrendered the previous urn in a thumping 5-0 sequence defeat in 2006-07.

On Wednesday, Cummins returned a five-wicket haul in his first innings as Australia’s check captain, and his tempo bowling companions Starc and Josh Hazlewood took two wickets every. Fairly than concentrate on Burns’ batting, Cummins praised Starc’s affect on the sport.

“If you consider the primary ball of an Ashes sequence, everybody goes again to Harmison,” Cummins mentioned. “So hopefully that’s the brand new reminiscence now. Simply nice, so pleased for,” Starc. “He’s obtained a knack of selecting up a wicket within the first couple of overs. Pumped for him greater than anything. Simply excited, nice solution to begin it off.”

WHAT A WAY TO START THE #ASHES! pic.twitter.com/XtaiJ3SKeV

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2021

Starc, who took a key wicket within the first over of the 2015 Cricket World Cup remaining to arrange Australia’s win over New Zealand, merely mentioned it was good to “get it in the correct spot to begin the day” towards England.

“Yeah. On the cash I assume first up,” he instructed Australian cricket broadcaster Channel 7, including that he obtained a bit fortunate. “I’d love to sit down right here and say that’s how I drew it up, bowling him across the legs, simply swing it in.

“It’s no secret the way in which I am going about my bowling is to be attacking and purpose for these stumps. A yorker is an enormous a part of my recreation, however for me it’s to bowl quick and swing it.”

It was the primary time since 1936 {that a} wicket fell on the primary ball of the Ashes sequence Down Underneath. England was additionally on the receiving finish on the Gabba that yr, and slumped to 20-3, however recovered to win that match. England hasn’t gained a check on the Gabba since 1986, and must get better rapidly on Day 2 to keep away from extending that stretch. Ollie Pope, considered one of solely two England batters to achieve the 30s on Wednesday, backed England and Burns to rally.

“Clearly annoyed as a unit however we’re not going to get too down,” he mentioned. “It’s a protracted sequence. Going to maintain the spirits excessive, come combating tomorrow.

“I do know what Burns is like. He’s a competitor as effectively, so he’ll be again.”

England captain Joe Root gained the toss, opted to bat and misplaced opener Rory Burns on the very first supply of the Ashes sequence, a late swinging yorker from Australia paceman Mitchell Starc.

It set the tone for the opening two periods Wednesday, which have been extra like open season for Australia’s tempo bowling pack.

Pat Cummins took the final three wickets and completed with a five-wicket haul in his first innings as Australia captain. The England innings completed with ominous thunder and lightning beginning to the west and south of the Gabba.

Heavy rain and unhealthy gentle mixed to stop any additional play on Day 1.

Hmmm #Ashes pic.twitter.com/i2PkvgHwuE

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2021

The overcast circumstances quickly grew extra gloomy for the guests after Starc’s early strike, with Josh Hazlewood dismissing Dawid Malan (6) and Root (0) as England slipped to 11-3 within the sixth over.

When Cummins took his first wicket — star all-rounder Ben Stokes (5) caught low at third slip by Marnus Labuschagne 4 balls after the primary drinks break — England was reeling at 29-4.

Aye aye, skipper!

Pat Cummins’ first Take a look at wicket as captain is the damaging Ben Stokes! #OhWhatAFeeling@Toyota_Aus | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/AKjsV0qK5c

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2021

Opener Haseeb Hameed defied the assault and helped England to 59-4 at lunch, however was out for 25 early within the second session when he edged a Cummins’ supply that moved away off the seam and was caught by Steve Smith at second slip.

Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler settled the innings, combining in a 50-run stand to staunch the move of wickets earlier than each have been out of their 30s.

Buttler performed an expansive drive for his fifth boundary to succeed in 39 however was out subsequent ball from Starc, edging behind to Alex Carey as England slumped to 112-6. England added six runs earlier than Pope (35) top-edged an tried hook and was caught by Hazlewood diving ahead close to the fine-leg boundary, giving allrounder Cameron Inexperienced his first Take a look at wicket.

#OhWhatAFeeling – maiden Take a look at wicket for Cameron Inexperienced! #Ashes | @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/Le96usdp9b

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2021

Cummins had Ollie Robinson (0) caught behind and Mark Wooden (8) caught at short-leg and the stadium lights have been turned on earlier than he had Chris Woakes (21) caught within the deep by Hazlewood to complete off the innings.

Cummins returned 5-38 from 13.1 overs, with Starc and Hazlewood taking two wickets apiece.

It seems, it was an excellent toss for Cummins to lose in his first Take a look at since changing Tim Paine as Australia’s captain. That left Root with a troublesome determination to make, contemplating the greenish wicket on the Gabba in overcast circumstances and with rain within the forecast.

For the primary time since 1936, a wicket fell on the primary ball of the Ashes sequence Down Below. England misplaced a wicket first ball on the Gabba in ’36 and slumped to 20-3, however recovered to win that match.

WHAT A WAY TO START THE #ASHES! pic.twitter.com/XtaiJ3SKeV

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 8, 2021

That appears a good distance off for this England lineup, given the dearth of preparation brought on by common rain in latest weeks and having to quarantine for 2 weeks after arriving in Australia.

England hasn’t gained a Take a look at match in Australia since profitable the Ashes right here in 2010-11, and hasn’t gained a Take a look at on the Gabba since 1986. After the primary two periods, it’ll be an uphill wrestle to reverse that sequence.

The England batters struggled to deal with the additional bounce and carry that are traits of the Gabba pitch, and Australia’s tempo trio bowled a superb line and size within the circumstances.

England’s bowling assault shall be lacking quite a lot of expertise, with Stuart Broad reduce from the 12-man squad confirmed on the toss.

Broad and Jimmy Anderson have a mixed 9 Ashes excursions to Australia however are each lacking the opening match, leaving Wooden, Woakes and Robinson because the specialist quick bowlers and Leach because the specialist spin choice.