A century from captain Steve Smith and a pair of fifties from new pair Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb have left Australia in a dominant position after the first day of the first Test against Pakistan. Join The Roar from 2pm (AEDT) for all the live scores, highlights and action from Day 2.
It was rumoured during the week that Australia would leave out spinner Nathan Lyon for a fourth pace bowling option in Chadd Sayers, but in the end, the Aussies went for the same XI that emerged victorious over South Africa in Adelaide.
The hosts got off to the best possible start, winning the toss and electing to bat before David Warner and Renshaw combined for a 70-run partnership.
Surprisingly, Renshaw looked the more assertive of the duo, showing that he is far from the obstinate wall he looked on debut with a wide array of strokes, a lofted boundary off Pakistani spinner Yasir Shah particularly glorious.
Twin Pakistani strikes on the eve of the tea break – Warner trapped LBW by Mohammad Amir and Usman Khawaja clipping Shah to midwicket for just 4 – almost swung the game back to parity, but Smith looked in control from the word go.
Along with the impressive Renshaw, who prompted loud cheers from his home Gabba crowd upon reaching a maiden international half-century, the Aussie skipper kept the scoreboard ticking over past the tea break.
Renshaw was caught behind for 71 thanks to some nifty swing bowling from Wahab Riaz, but fellow youngster Peter Handscomb picked up where he let off, his unorthodox deep-in-the-crease technique doing nothing to prevent the Victorian from reaching a second Test fifty.
But the day belonged to Smith, who brought up his first Test century of the summer with a delightful straight drive.
He had his share of luck along the way – wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed fluffed a straightforward edge off the bowling of Azhar Ali with Smith on 53, and on 97 a faint tickle was picked up by Hot Spot, but not any of the Pakistani fielders – but it was another top-class effort from one of the world’s premier batsmen, and ensured Pakistan’s first day of Test cricket in Australia since 2010 was not a happy one.
With Australia reaching 3/288 at stumps, the tourists’ chances of victory look slim, especially with a few of their batting stars lacking form. To be any chance, they’ll need to wrap up the Aussies quickly, though with both Smith and Handscomb looking in imperious form, and plenty of batting still in reserve, that will be easier said than done.
Join The Roar from 2pm (AEDT) for all the live scores and action as Australia look to build on an imposing platform in Day 2 of the first Test against Pakistan.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Pakistan collapsed for 133 and 216 in their two first innings against New Zealand with a red ball in their recent series, and every member of the Australian pace attack is better than the best of the New Zealand bowlers. Pink ball had nothing to do with it.
Blackfish
Roar Rookie
Another pink ball disaster. Johnson is correct it is un-test like but good for egos when we win.
BrainsTrust
Guest
NZ pitches are more like English conditions.NZ had quite a few matches in Australia befoe the first test match, if their pitches are so similiar why did they bother.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Adelaide is the second test next year.
Paul Nash
Roar Rookie
Maddison's does look out of his depth , however yes others have had more chances. It was unfortunate he copped a Jaffa against the SA . It just shattered his confidence. I keep hearing technique does not matter. Yet in the end it was technique from Handscomb that was his undoing. If you choose to stay that far back in your crease spinners around the world will be licking their lips about setting him up for LBWs. He will end up standing on his wicket at some stage also. And playing on a lot .His technique is working well for him now but in the long term to survive in test cricket you have to make adjustments as other teams work you out AND THE BEST WAYS OF GETTING YOU OUT. Handscomb has a great drive and cover/ square drive but we don't see enough of those shots because he I still so far back in his crease. Prediction: In India Feb- March he will get out a lot with LBWS to Jadeja and Ashwin
Paul Nash
Roar Rookie
Pakistan had just come off a test series in NZ . If tests aren't a preparation I don't know what is.
BrainsTrust
Guest
Didn't see anything wrong with the wicket or the ball do much, the bounce combined with some poor shot selection caused the dismissals.England played a lot of tour matches before the first test match including in Perth, they were just scared of Mitchell Johnson. Pakistan have one lead in match in Cairns and were complaing the wicket was slow so opposite of the Gabba. Still I though this was a good enough wicket to make runs on.
Ozibatla
Guest
Anyone who thinks Lyon has the full confidence of his captain should look at the field deployed tonight when Pakistan wer 8/74. Sarfraz on strike and 10no with 4 men on the fence???? Please! That is ridiculous field settings. Anyone wouldve thought Mark Taylor was bowling with his non preferred hand. Having said that, Lyon was still spearing them in at 90kph + and looking the least effective of the bowlers. No damage done I suppose, Pakistan batting looked terrible with no plan at all to score. When your 2 best batsmen have a combined age of 81 years, you know youre pushing the proverbial sh*t uphill. Maybe a typical Aus batting collapse keeps this match interesting? Ha!
doogs
Guest
good explanation
doogs
Guest
yes spot of bother turned into 429
doogs
Guest
he might not get a chance to bat in the second innings Chris. There might not be an Aussie second innings
Paul Nash
Roar Rookie
Great if you don't have to start batting against a relatively new ball under lights
Paul Nash
Roar Rookie
Why does a criticism of the day night pink ball test incur the wrath of moderators. 8-97 is great for Australia but not for the game . Get rid of the pink ball day night experiment
doogs
Guest
haha nice one. But he is winning
doogs
Guest
Yeah damn that Smith for scoring a measly 130
doogs
Guest
You are dead right. It should be like that. But what can you do with the Windies the way they are. Hard to rate tons against them. But each time we have played NZ in the last year it is predicted we lose. Yet we flog them. Would you call those "cheap" centuries?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Just like the last three years: the Gabba is a batting friendly road right up to the point the Australians stop batting, whereupon the fact that it's a par score 350 wicket becomes glaringly apparent.
doogs
Guest
we soon found out Tim
doogs
Guest
That was pretty damn funny
Paul Nash
Roar Rookie
The Pink Panther Day Night test experiment is just that an experiment. 15 wickets fall , of which 8 fall in the vulnerable twighlight night session. Pakistans total of 8-97 is not a reflection of the true quality of their batting. What administrators need to get into their heads is that the day night pink ball test will never deliver 5 days of test cricket. We want to win the Ashes back in 2017-18 and all James Sutherland can think about is money so he awards a pink panther test to Adelaide. JUST WHEN THE ASHES CAN BE WON OR LOST!!!Its the third test . . It's a failure a luck of the draw and let's get back to true test cricket underneath consistent conditions without a PINK PANTHER BALL.