England’s Ashes debutant James Vince made 83 before Australia fought back on day one of the first Test in Brisbane. Vince added 125 for the second wicket with Mark Stoneman either side of a 95-minute delay for rain at the Gabba.
But Vince was run out by Nathan Lyon’s superb direct hit, in between Pat Cummins bowling Stoneman for 53 and trapping captain Joe Root lbw for 15. England, the Ashes holders, closed on 196-4, with Dawid Malan 28 not out and Moeen Ali unbeaten on 13.
The tourists battled hard after winning the toss and losing Alastair Cook in the third over, perhaps determined not to be blown away in the manner that saw them defeated 5-0 in Australia four years ago.
But on a slow pitch, Vince and Stoneman – both of whom were playing their first Ashes Test – were kept in check by a home attack that rarely offered anything loose and will have use of a ball that is only three deliveries old on the second morning.
If the surface does harden up over the next few days, Australia could get the best of the batting conditions and more pace for their bowlers in England’s second innings. The visitors, therefore, are likely to require their lower and middle order to get them to at least 350 and, ideally, beyond.
Play will start half an hour earlier than scheduled at 23:30 GMT on Thursday to make up for the 9.3 overs lost to the weather. (BBC Sport)
