Alastair Cook launches stabbing attack on Aussie defensive tactics on day one of the first Test
Ashes nemesis Alastair Cook launches stabbing attack on defensive Aussie tactics on day one of first test: ‘It feels a bit un-Australian’
- Aussies were negative in the field against England
- Hosts took full advantage of Ash’s first test
- Tactics amazed cricket great Alastair Cook
- England declared on 8-393 from 78 overs
English cricket great Alastair Cook called out Pat Cummins’ defensive tactics during day one of the first Ashes Test in Edgbaston, saying it ‘felt a little un-Australian’.
The frantic hosts declared after just 78 overs, having plundered 8-393 with Joe Root’s century as the highlight.
And from the start it seemed that the Aussies, usually famous for their aggressive nature on the cricket field, had come into their shells.
‘It feels a bit un-Australian. Normally they fight fire with fire,” former England captain and decorated batsman Cook said on the BBC’s Test Match Special.
“I’ve never seen Australia with four men on the border.”
England cricket great Alastair Cook has called out Pat Cummins defensive tactics during day one of the first Ashes Test in Edgbaston, stating that it ‘felt a bit un-Australian’
In the field from the start, Australia were defensive, shocking the likes of Cook and Aussie cricketing legend Ricky Ponting (pictured, under pressure captain Pat Cummins)
Fellow cricket great Ricky Ponting couldn’t believe what he saw, with sweepers on the boundary line on either side of the pitch every time a new batsman walked to the crease.
Polarizing ex-England star Kevin Pietersen continued the pile, saying: “Australia is wrong, but from an England perspective it’s fantastic to see Australia so defensive.
“Just thinking about the first morning of an Ashes series, I would have thought Pat Cummins would have said, ‘OK England, give it a try. We do not care. Hit us for six fours… a pair of sixes, no problem. Then we move on to plan B.
“I think they went straight to plan B.”
Joe Root was relentless in beating an aggressive century (pictured) against the Aussies which gave England plenty of chances to score points
Steve Smith (pictured) reacts after missing a chance to catch England’s Harry Brooks
Australia start day two at 0-14, with openers David Warner (eight not out) and Usman Khawaja (four not out) successfully navigating four overs late in the day.
Ben Stokes’ aggressive statement that led to stumps surprised many cricket fans, but it’s part of England’s much-hyped ‘Bazball’ mentality, a nod to coach Brendon McCullum.
“It was a bold call, it was a good call,” England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow told Sky Sports after hitting 78 himself from as many balls.
“There will be conversations around it, but no one likes to go out with 20 minutes and [seeing out] four overs … especially when you meet Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson.’