English Stars of the First Ashes Test
We may have lost, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t have a few people who we can’t appreciate!
Obviously Rory Burns! There was a lot of doubt around him, but he showed them off by getting a brilliant century on that second day. The fourth English batsman to bat on all 5 days of a test match, his mini redemption arc is a beauty to see!
Woakesy was another obvious one! He has been consistently brilliant through the five days. 3 wickets in the Australian first innings, a strong 37 in England's first innings, most in a strong partnership with Broad, the one, crucial wicket of Steve Smith in the second innings, before achieving the highest score of the final innings, 37, many runs of which came from fours. A calm character during that final chaos.
Despite the duck, Broady did well for the match. 5 wickets on day one, including Steve Smith at last, one wicket during Australia's second innings, and Stuart too played a part in that redeeming partnership with Woakes to get the (not enough, but still a) lead of 90.
Credit should also be given to Jimmy Anderson, who stupidly decided to go in and bat, and Ben Stokes too, for the three wickets contributed to Australia's second innings, including the one of Travis Head, who had built a strong partnership with Smith. The wicket was the one good thing that morning!
Despite the efforts of these stars, we still faced a humiliating loss.
(Photo Credits: ICC, Sky Sports Cricket and Test Match Special!)
