Gabba Mojo is back for Aussies

Fearless Australia demolish reluctant England by nine wickets on fourth day of the first Test

Mohammed Rumman Khan | NT

There was a breakdown in the broadcasting of the first Ashes Test but normal service ultimately resumed. England’s hope evaporated into a crushing nine-wicket defeat by Australia on the fourth day of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba. No wonder Cricket Australia were so keen to start this unique Ashes series on Vulture Street, despite the logistical issues thrown up the state’s hard border.

After the optimism of their third-day fightback, England meekly lost their last eight wickets for 77 runs in the morning session, including the crucial departures of Joe Root for 89 and Dawid Malan on 82.

Malan was Nathan Lyon’s 400th Test wicket, the off-spinner going on to claim 4-91 as England were bowled out for 297.

Australia were left with only 20 to chase, which they completed soon after lunch in the Brisbane sun to give Pat Cummins victory in his first Test as captain.

The home side go 1-0 up in the five-match series and continue their 35-year unbeaten run against England in Brisbane.

England have now lost 10 of their past 11 Tests in Australia and won only one of 10 matches since they beat India in the first Test in February.

With England needing to win the series in order to regain the Ashes, Root’s side have almost no margin for error in the remaining four Tests.

The second Test in Adelaide, a day-night match played with a pink ball, begins on Thursday. There is plenty for England to stew over during the next four days although the omission of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad has felt overplayed in Australia. Anderson’s preparation suffered a two-week delay at the start, meaning Adelaide was a sensible target, while Broad could only really make the XI if they played a five-pronged seam attack. Given Ollie Robinson’s rapid ascent this year, the threat of Mark Wood’s pace and Chris Woakes status as the only realistic No 8, one of four was unlikely.

One concern for Australia will be the fitness of Warner, who was struck in the ribs while batting in the first innings and subsequently did not field or bat in the second.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that the fifth Test, originally scheduled for Perth, will instead be held in Hobart, also as a day-nighter.

England fined entire match fee for slow over-rate

ICC have come down hard on England for its slow over rate in the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, penalising the tourists 100 per cent of their match fee. ICC match referee David Boon docked the England players for falling five overs short of over-rate speed targets.The ICC code of conduct dictates players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over the team is short.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Travis Head has not escaped punishment, having been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for making an “audible obscenity” during his innings of 152.

Alex creates record for taking most catches on debut

Carey took a total of eight catches in the first Ashes Test against England here at the Gabba in Brisbane, surpassing India’s Rishabh Pant and five others who had taken seven catches on their debut in the longest format.

England must not feel sorry for themselves

England are guilty of putting down too many chances, which allowed Australia to build a first-innings total of 425 and an ominous lead. “If I’m being honest, we can’t create as many chances as we did and put them down,” said Root, with the second Test, at Adelaide, starting in just five days’ time. “Our bowlers were excellent. We have got to be better in the field and with the bat. It’s really important in a five-match Test series we don’t feel too sorry for ourselves on the back of this,” the England captain added.