Buttler fireworks add gloss to another fragile England batting display
Some Jos Buttler fireworks late in the day added gloss to another slack England batting performance on the opening day of the final Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval. While the crowd were in fine voice, it was a day where both teams appeared to be limping over the line in what’s been an emotional and arduous summer of cricket.
With a license to thrill, it was the Buttler England fans had been hoping to see all series. The swashbuckling batsman switched to one-day mode after Jofra Archer nicked off, biffing three sixes in his 64 not out to propel England to 271-8. Jack Leach (10 not out) is proving to be fine company for England’s front-line batsmen, seeing off 31 deliveries in an unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 45.
It could have been a better day for England, who earlier lost five wickets for 56 runs, capitulating from a position of strength at 170-3, with Australia’s seam bowlers – surprisingly led by the recalled all-rounder Mitch Marsh, with 4-35 – saving Tim Paine’s blushes after he had chosen to insert the hosts.
England finish on 271-8.
Mitchell Marsh took four wickets for Australia whilst Jos Buttler and Joe Root passed fifty for England!#Ashes pic.twitter.com/vZ3tM4VCGa
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 12, 2019
Under-fire captain Joe Root was eager to trust his eye on the front foot on his way to 57, while Rory Burns continued to prove his top-order credentials with a fluent 47, including some fine drives, as the two combined for 76 for the second wicket. The two played expansively before lunch, perhaps less inhibited now Australia have already retained the little urn.
Australia’s fielders were lackadaisical, dropping the England skipper on three occasions. Peter Siddle spilled an easy chance at long-leg, with Root on 24, before wicketkeeper Paine dived across first slip to shell another – both off Pat Cummins. The No.3 was given another reprieve on 30 when Steve Smith dropped one in the cordon off Siddle.
Whilst his county have secured promotion, Jos Buttler went to 50 with this shot!
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 12, 2019
Root may have felt he deserved a bit of good fortune. It was he who bore the brunt of criticism after the 185-run loss at Old Trafford, as England allowed Australia to retain the ongoing Ashes for the first time at home in 18 years. Writing in The Telegraph, Geoffrey Boycott, the former England opening batsman and pundit, opined that his fellow Yorkshireman “lacks any feel for captaincy” and that his leadership was “very disappointing”. Root insisted that “I definitely want to carry on as captain” and that it’s “in my control”, but his batting woes have also been a cause for concern; his decision to move up one from his favoured No.4 position has yet to pay off.
What a performance from Mitchell Marsh so far!#Ashes pic.twitter.com/BY5DDAsaNy
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 12, 2019
Marsh, who had replaced Travis Head in Australia’s XI, reaped rewards by swinging the ball on a full length, accounting for Ben Stokes (20 from 36 balls), who miscued a pull, while Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes were trapped lbw by in-swingers and Sam Curran found second slip. A bout of cramp for Marsh coincided with Buttler’s late-innings onslaught.
England are close to reaching a respectable first innings total, but knowing Steve Smith is in the oppositions ranks, they will hope that Buttler can find his groove again on day two.
