The Ashes has moved on to only the second day but there have been enough action on the field to create moments that will go beyond the final scoreline of the series.
The first day produced mostly the cricketing moments to savour in the future as Australian pacers attracted all the headlines followed by counterattacks from Jos Buttler and Ollie Pope. However, the second day produced a controversial set of events that will attract a lot of bad press to the umpires.
England skipper Joe Root introduced Ben stokes for the first time in the 12th over of the day and Australia’s innings and staying true to what is expected to be his rhythm after such a long layoff, he produced four no-balls on the trot except that the third umpire Paul Wilson failed to spot first three of them.
He could spot the fourth and last no-ball of the series only after David Warner was cleared up by Stokes and it was caught in customary no-ball check post the fall of a wicket. Later, it turned out that the technology available to the third umpire to spot no balls were dysfunctional on the third day and reportedly, Stokes got away bowling as many 13 no-balls on the day.
Wilson’s failure to spot the no-ball attracted a lot of stern criticism and former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting called it “pathetic officiating”.
England were on the moon after the dismissal of David Warner as Ben Stokes celebrated a big wicket of Warner in the first over on his return. However, they find themselves in a precarious position with Australia motoring along to 68/1 with Warner and Marnus Labuschagne looking in no mood to waste the sunshine and pace on the pitch at the Gabba.