Ashes: Australia In Cruise Control

Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner both missed out on the century as the duo scored gritty 95s as Australia seized control of the second Ashes Test on Thursday, surviving an onslaught from veterans Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. 

The visitors came into the day-night Adelaide Test on the back of a nine-wicket defeat at Brisbane but were confident they could get back into the five-match series. But even with the greatest wicket-takers in English history back in the side, they struggled to make inroads with the pink ball as the home team scored a whopping 221 for two by the end of day 1.

The visitors did get an early breakthrough with Broad getting Marcus Harris for three before Warner and Labuschagne put on 172 for the second wicket.

Warner looked destined for his 25th Test century as he began to open his bat but fell in the nervous 90s for the second Test in a row, caught by Broad off Ben Stokes.

Labuschagne almost did the same, also on 95, when wicketkeeper Jos Buttler dropped a sitter off Anderson — much to the delight of the crowd.

“A few prayers up there because I don’t know how that happened,” Labuschagne said of Buttler’s costly mistake.

“There’s a bit of disbelief — it is my job to capitalise on that now, I gave him a chance… I’ve got to make sure tomorrow no chances.”