The Ashes 2023

‘Was I watching a Test match or 20/20 blast?’ – Fans react to first day of fifth Ashes 2023 Test at Oval

Australia trial by 222 runs at the end of the first day of the fifth Test of Ashes 2023

Jul 28, 2023 1:16 pm

The fifth Test of Ashes 2023 between England and Australia at the Oval started on a good note. Australian captain Pat Cummins won the first toss and invited England to bat first. The wicket at the Oval had something in it for the bowlers. There was some early swing and a bit of extra bounce for the Pacers. The spinners got some turn as well.

England got a good start. The opening pair of Ben Duckett and Zack Crawley scored 62 runs for the first wicket. The dismissal of Ben Duckett started a mini collapse for England. The home side lost Duckett, Crawley, and Joe Root in around 20 deliveries. From 62/0, England crumbled to 73/3 in no time. Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood got a wicket each.

Impressive Harry Brook

Moeen Ali and Harry Brook steadied the English innings. The duo was involved in a 111-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Moeen Ali scored runs calculatively and targeted the leg-side boundary. Harry Brook was reactive to the Australian bowlers. Each bouncer was pulled over the square leg and fuller ones were driven well.

Australian fielders dropped a lot of catches. Many of them were literal sitters. It helped England to stay in the game. Harry Brook scored a magnificent 85(91). The dismissal of Moeen Ali started the second round of collapse. From 184/3 at one stage, England collapsed to 212/7, as Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, and Harry Brook were all dismissed in the process.

Chris Woakes and Mark Wood played useful cameos towards the end. As a result, England posted 283 runs in their first innings. For Australia, Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers. Australia batted well too. The opening partnership of David Warner and Usman Khawaja lasted for 49 runs in 16.5 overs. Chris Woakes dismissed the 36-year-old and gave the only breakthrough of the day for England. Australia finished the day with a score of 61/1 and trial by 222 runs.

Here’s how the fans reacted to Day 1 of the fifth Test:

Was I watching a Test match or the 20/20 blast?

— Andy McGowan (@MrMac1985) July 27, 2023

Entertaining yet it's no longer about winning.

— RandomAndy (@RandomAndy2) July 27, 2023

Get the hell out of Anderson, he is useless

— Chitwan Parashar (मोदी जी का परिवार) (@Chitwan86) July 27, 2023

Poor Batting Performance, Cavalier Cricket.

— Alan durrant (@Alandurran28846) July 27, 2023

Hate to say it but think Anderson is done with test cricket! Would of liked to of seen Josh Tongue get the nod for this test

— Paul Davidson (@pauldavidson79) July 27, 2023

Same old story.
Players getting out regularly.
Fast scoring rate, but a disappointing score.
Bairstow again bails when we need him to get runs.
I'd prefer to win matches in 5 days than to lose entertainingly in 3. Ta.
Winning is fun. Endorphins come from winning, lads. Not losing

— Phillip Pope (@PhillipMPope) July 27, 2023