Brisbane: The newly appointed captain Pat Cummins took a five-wicket haul as Australia bundled out England for 147 before bad light forced an early stumps on the opening day of the first Ashes Test here at the Brisbane Cricket Ground (Gabba) on Wednesday.
The dark clouds took over the Gabba as it started to rain, followed by wet outfield and bad light which forced the umpires to call off the play for the day. Australia will begin their innings on Thursday morning half an hour early (depending on your timezone) to make up the time lost.
As the records at the venue favour the hosts, the first two sessions were dominated by Australia. Interestingly, England have not won a Test at the Gabba since 1986.
Cummins became the first captain to take a five-fer in an Ashes Test since Bob Willis in 1982. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood picked up two wickets each, while Cameron Green got a piece.
After opting to bat first, England suffered an early blow with Starc striking on the very first ball of the innings. The fast bowler crashed the base of leg-stump of Rory Burns for a duck.
Hazlewood and Cummins didn't let the English top-order batters settle in and picked up the wickets of the England Test captain Joe Root and star all-rounder Ben Stokes, respectively in quick succession.
Root edged and was caught at first slip, followed by Stokes who was taken at the third slip. Just when the youngsters of England started their rescue mission, the Australia captain Cummins returned to dismiss Haseeb Hameed for a well-made 25.
Starc claimed his second wicket as Jos Buttler was caught behind for 39. Cameron Green joined the party as he dismissed Ollie Pope (35) before Cummins wrapped up England's innings in 50.1 overs. The Australia captain got rid of the England tailenders and left for the tea along with his team. (UNI)
