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Lunch break quiz
Here’s a bit of fun during the lunch break. The first question was a bit before my time – Paul Kelly’s song ‘Bradman’ will help you – but the last four were in my wheelhouse.
Khawaja all over Jacks
Usman Khawaja tucked into Will Jacks in his two overs before lunch, skating to 41 from 55 balls after he was a late replacement for Steve Smith.
Jacks will have to bowl a lot of overs for England on a hot day in Adelaide, and Khawaja’s use of the sweep shot in particular showed an eagerness to ensure the spinner does not settle.
Usman Khawaja played assertively as lunch approached.Credit: Getty Images
But, as always in Adelaide, there is enough in the track if you get the ball in the right spot: one delivery Khawaja tried to defend bit nicely and took an edge that fell just short of slip. That moment will interest Jacks, but also the recalled Nathan Lyon.
Khawaja in unfamiliar territory
This is the second time Usman Khawaja has passed 23 in his past 10 Test innings.
He’s extremely lucky to still be out there after Brook’s terrible dropped catch, but the left-hander is making the most of it.
It’s been an important period for Australia after England were up and about. Khawaja is a fine player of spin and will be thrilled to see Will Jacks come into the attack on the stroke of lunch – much better than facing Jofra Archer. Australia can cash in during the next two sessions.
Australia will target Jacks
All-rounder Will Jacks is England’s front-line spinner in the Adelaide Test.Credit: Getty Images
Australia will not let off-spinner Will Jacks settle.
Jacks is not a frontline spinner, but he will need to play an important role in these conditions.
Australia know if they can bring down Jacks it will force Ben Stokes to give extra overs to his quicks, who will have their stamina tested in the heat.
Jacks’s first over cost 10 runs.
Khawaja getting going
An important final 15 minutes before lunch coming.
Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne have dug in since Australia lost their openers in successive overs to soft dismissals.
The pitch is not offering much for the bowlers, so there will be rewards in the afternoon if Australia’s batters can make England’s quicks bowl fourth and fifth spells.
Khawaja has looked more comfortable since being dropped on five. He has since made 16 off 12 balls, his confidence rising after a boundary off his pads and a full-blooded cut shot.
Labuschagne is getting bogged down. He has tried to get the scoreboard ticking along this series but England are bowling well to him. He will be looking for the sanctuary of the dressing room at lunch.
Brook’s dropped chance
Harry Brook with the kind of catch you just can’t drop on day one in Adelaide, or anywhere really.
Mark Waugh, as usual, unimpressed with any shoddy effort in the field.
“That’s a regulation catch at this level,” one of the greatest slippers of all time offers on Kayo Sports.
Zak Crawley produced a cracker in close to send Travis Head on his way earlier. But after England’s calamitous efforts in the field at the Gabba – shelling five catches in Australia’s first innings – that’s ominous once more.
Harry Brook’s dropped catch gives Usman Khawaja a reprieve on five.Credit: Getty Images
Khawaja dropped
Usman Khawaja gets a reprieve on five. Josh Tongue has been probing on a good length outside off stump and when he finally gets the nick, Harry Brook puts it down in the cordon.
“At this level that’s catchable,” Mark Waugh, one of the greatest slips fielders of all time, said on Kayo Sports.
“You’ve got to catch that. Such a crucial drop at this stage of the game. That’s a regulation catch at this level.”
Khawaja has not looked comfortable at all so far. England have tried to bounce him, probably a bit too much, and also tested him with a fuller length. He needs to hang in there.
Khawaja’s chance to shine
By Tom Decent
Absorbing first hour of Test cricket. Two wickets a non-negotiable for England on a pitch that is expected to get quite flat.
Usman Khawaja believes he’s still good enough to be in the Australian XI, so here’s his chance to show that. Expect him to leave everything he can and make England bowl to him. It’s 29 degrees already.
Steve Smith’s vertigo issues
By Tom Decent
WATCH: Crawley’s classic catch
This is some catch by Zak Crawley to remove Travis Head.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
