Twitter Reactions: England make late comeback as Australia leave door ajar at close of play

Travis Head. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Australia gave England a taste of their own ‘Bazball’ medicine as they finished Day 1 at Lord’s on 339/5 at the end of 83 overs.

After a narrow two-wicket loss in the first Test, it was expected that England would hit the ground running on Day 1 of the Lord’s Test. Nothing of that sort transpired as the World Test Champions ruled the roost with a positive batting display. David Warner set the tone upfront with a stroke-filled 88-ball 66. The in-form Usman Khawaja showed a lot of patience and took the shine off the new ball with his 70-ball 17, being dismissed at the stroke of Lunch by youngster Josh Tongue. England could have dismissed the openers earlier in the Day, but Joe Root dropped a tough catch of Khawaja, while Ollie Pope couldn’t grab a relatively easy chance of Warner.

After Warner’s dismissal to Tongue, Steve Smith walked in to join Marnus Labuschagne. The two experienced batters forged a 102-run partnership before Labuschagne departed for 47 off 93. The 29-year-old was caught behind off the bowling of Ollie Robinson. Smith, after a whirlwind start to his innings, settled down and scored at his customary pace. He was joined by Travis Head, who played with a lot of intent like fans are used to seeing from him.

The southpaw was eventually dismissed by England’s sole spin-bowling option in the side, Joe Root. Head, who was batting beautifully on 77 off 73, danced down the track but was beaten by the turn as Jonny Bairstow did the rest. Cameron Green came into bat, trying to replicate the intent with which Head was batting. However, he perished while trying to pull a drag down from Root in the same over. The Aussie all-rounder was caught at mid-off by James Anderson.

Smith and Alex Carey took Australia to Stumps without further damage. The former is batting on 85 off 149 balls, nearing his 32nd Test century. Carey, on the other hand, remained unbeaten on 11.

Here is how Twitter buzzed on Day 1 of the Lord’s Test:

Joe Root strikes twice in an over and Australia are 5️⃣ down! #EnglandCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/wmn9hC5K6c

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 28, 2023

Play was delayed at Lord’s due to protestors invading the pitch, with Jonny Bairstow removing one of them from the field 🚨 pic.twitter.com/5dVSjHdEQY

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 28, 2023

Good start to the 2nd test.
Bairstow has done some heavy lifting already😂😂 #Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/f0JcZnCvEr

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 28, 2023

Really poor day for England #Ashes2023

— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 28, 2023

Great batting by @CricketAus as they look in full control against moderate paced @ECB_cricket attack . Lack of pace hurting short ball tactics .

— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt) June 28, 2023

Completed 9000 Test runs ✅
Scored a fifty ✅

Steve Smith continues to show why they call him the modern-day great✨#SteveSmith #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/WdH5mwD6cn

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 28, 2023

Since 2021

Joe Root has scored 13 Test centuries, most by any cricketer

Joe Root has also taken 28 Test wickets, including a fifer in Ahmedabad#Ashes2023#ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/6cGtE6a91y

— Arnav Singh (@Arnavv43) June 28, 2023

5 – 0 incoming #Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/7QZQHB6dTu

— Mbo Salah (@DaMbongza) June 28, 2023

Not the greatest day for England in Test. Late wickets just about keep us in it. Let’s see what tomorrow brings #Ashes2023

— Steve O’Donnell (@steveod1967) June 28, 2023