The combination of pink balls and floodlights was supposed to give England an excellent chance to swing back into the Ashes Series.
On the first day of the Second Test they only managed two wickets out of 89 overs. They looked frustrated, demoralised, and often lacked power.
David Warner scored 95, his second 90 in two innings. Marnus Labuschagne was 95 not out. Australia reached 221-2.
If that wasn’t enough, Jos buttler added to the misery by squandering a simple chance to save Labuschagne from a penalty on Jimmy Anderson at 95 with 15 minutes left.
Buttler had a second chance to dismiss Australia’s No.3 after he failed in his earlier attempt to eliminate opener Marcus Harris.
After the second spillage, Australian television coverage showed England legend Ian Botham exasperated with his head in hands.
The Australians are already 1-0 ahead in the series and it will be difficult for England to win.
Australia’s equilibrium was not disturbed by the loss of captain Pat Cummins just hours before the match.
Cummings was eating in an Adelaide steakhouse Wednesday night when a man seated at a table nearby announced that he had tested Covid positive.
Cummins must self-isolate himself for seven days, according to South Australia’s health protocols. Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and two other members of Australia’s attack were at the same restaurant, but chose to dine outside. They were safe.
Steve Smith was able to capsize Australia for the very first time after being suspended and sacked for his role in the Sandpaper Scandal four years ago.
England’s bowling attack was a group of copycat 84mph virtuosos.
England’s mantra for the two-year planning of this series, yes they have really been planning that long, has been “Never again we will play four fast-medium right-arm bowlers against Australia.”
Here they have five.
We shouldn’t be shocked by England’s optimism in the two matches played day and night during this series. The three pink ball tests they played overseas were all losses, while Australia is 8-0.
England’s bowling was not bad, but their attack lacked variety. There was no spinner, apart from Joe Root’s offies which were primarily used to speed up the over-rate. Mark Wood also did not add any extra speed.
The second time in a row, they have made a bad selection.
England may feel that they have no luck. But, well, you can make your own luck.
Stokes played a sort of enforcer’s role. He would constantly bang in the ball, while a group of fielders gathered on the legside border hoped to scoop up a mishit pull shot.
The truth is that the ball barely swung under the scorching sun during the first two sessions. By the time the lights came on and the second ball was taken, in what should have ideally been ideal bowling conditions for Australia, they were already in command.
Stokes picked up one wicket after Warner’s long hop to Broad at cover, while Broad removed Harris himself thanks to Buttler’s diving catch on the leg side.
The wicketkeeper’s two dropped Labuschagnes were grave errors.
Broad played his 150th test, and Anderson was able to bowl well and hit the bat often enough that it is suggested at least one should have been selected for the First Test where the conditions were more swing- and seam-friendly.
Broad, if he had played in Brisbane would have been able to get a good start on Warner. He did so here. The left-handed Australian took 42 minutes to make his debut.
He gradually recovered his fluency, and showed few signs of the bruised bones that had threatened to prevent him from playing in this match.
Smith was greeted with a mixture of applause, cheers, and boos when he entered the game.
On day two, he and Labuschagne can add a lot more with their eccentric techniques and twitchy ways of speaking.
