Ashes 2021-22: 2nd Test, Day 2 – Smith and the tail hand Australia an advantage

After having dominated the proceedings on Day 1, Australia continued to dominate the second day as well. The hosts declared on a commanding 473 for nine in their first innings of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

Australia then further garnered the audacity of the occasion by chiming in with early breakthroughs and sending back both the visitor’s openers back to the hut. Thus, let’s take a look at the 3 talking points of the day.

Michael Neser picking up a wicket only off his 2nd ball in Test cricket

Get around him! Michael Neser’s got his first Test wicket! #OhWhatAFeeling#Ashes | @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/cTjNkn0nDJ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2021

Michael Neser did not have to wait too long to secure his maiden Test wicket. The pacer bowled a full-length delivery angled into the middle and off. England’s opener Haseeb Hameed tried to whip it with his bottom hand but was caught straight at midwicket by Mitchell Starc.

Steve Smith missing out on Ashes century

Upheld! Smith is gone for 93 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/35vql5StpF

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2021

The batter was unbeaten on 18 runs at the end of Day 1’s play. On the following day, he provided crucial support to the team after Australia resumed the proceedings from their overnight score of 221-2.

At the dinner break, Steve Smith had reached his half-century and then stayed resilient on the pitch to provide much-needed stability. He full just seven runs short of his Ashes ton as James Anderson bowled a good length ball. Though the batter reviewed the ball tracking cleared that he had to walk back to the pavilion.

Marnus Labuschagne’s century

After Australia had lost an early wicket on Day 1, the batter stitched in a 172-run partnership alongside David Warner. He remained not out on 95 runs at stumps on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test. As soon as the hosts resumed the play on Day 2, Labuschagne fell early in the session but made sure he reaches the triple-figure.