England Steady on Day One Amid Australia’s Unconventional Bowling in Ashes Test
England finished day one at 211-3, with Joe Root and Brook anchoring the innings after early wickets had fallen. England opened with a 35-run stand but then slipped to 57-3 after Bethell fell for 10 before the innings stabilized. Brook and Root provided the engine room, with Brook’s cut shots exploiting deliveries wide of point.
Australia chose to opt for four pace bowlers and no specialist spinner, using Beau Webster or Cameron Green as a stand-in fourth bowler. This choice effectively left Australia with only a fifth pace option, a highly unusual bowling strategy. Webster bowled just a couple of overs and proved expensive, while Green conceded more than seven runs per over across two spells.
Mitchell Starc remains Australia's pace leader, but he has bowled unusually few overs in the series and his pace has been high with variable accuracy. The Sydney pitch itself is not spin-friendly, but Australia’s lack of a genuine spinning option or a bona fide fourth bowler limited their ability to challenge England’s batsmen. This could influence how the match progresses.
Despite Australia’s unconventional bowling tactics, the day carried a steady, normal feel with England taking control at the crease.
