AUS Vs ENG, Ashes 2021-22, 2nd Test: David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne Help Australia To 221/2

Australia had never lost a day-night Test match and they kept their reputation intact on the first day of the second Ashes 2021-22 Test here in Adelaide -- a day-night affair. The hosts suffered a big blow when skipper Pat Cummins was ruled out of the game after coming in close contact with a Covid positive person. Vice-captain Steve Smith took over the reins with Travis Head his deputy. It was the first time Smith was leading Australia since stepping down from captaincy in 2018 following the sandpaper gate. Batting first, Australia had a disastrous start losing opener Marcus Harris with just four runs on board. That brought David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne together and the duo stitched 172 runs for the second wicket against an English attack that looked toothless. Warner was once again unlucky to miss out on a well-deserved century when Ben Stokes had his caught for 95. Labuschagne is unbeaten on 95 with Smith (18) in the company when stumps were drawn. Australia lead the five-match Ashes 2021-22 series by virtue of their nine-wicket win at the Gabba in Brisbane. Get here highlights of AUS v ENG second Test.

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17:06 PM IST: Day 1 stumps

Stumps have been drawn on Day 1 of the second Test here in Adelaide. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith are batting on 95 and 18 respectively. Australia 221/2

16:51 PM IST: Buttler drops Marnus again

What a day Jos Buttler is having today? He has dropped Marnus Labuschagne twice today, first on 21 and now in his nineties. An absolute sitter. Australia 220/2

16:40 PM IST: Snail's pace

Finally, runs after 24 dot balls. Looks live Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are in no mood to play their shots at the fag end of today's play. Australia 217/2 (83.5)

16:12 PM IST: 200 Up

Joe Root with his tenth over. Three singles, and his figures: 0/36 with a maiden. Marnus Labuschagne (93 off 241) and Steve Smith (10 off 33) stand now worth 35 in 79. AUS - 211/2 (77)

15:47: Drinks

Ollie Robinson with his 14th over. A maiden to Marnus Labuschagne. 50 runs in the last ten overs. Labuschagne (85 in 215) in an unbeaten 22-run stand with Steve Smith (5 off 17). AUS - 198/2 (70)

15:20 PM IST: Warner Out Again In 90s

Two matches, two nineties for David Warner. He holes out for 95 off 167, caught by Stuart Broad at the cover. A wicket for Ben Stokes. Steven Smith joins Marnus Labuschagne. Warner was out for 94 in Gabba's first innings. AUS - 176/2 (64.2)

15:07 PM IST: 150-run Stand

James Anderson with his 15th over. David Warner hits the second ball for a four to bring up a 150-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne, in 327 balls. Labuschagne hits the last ball for a four. Nine from the over. AUS - 160/1 (62)

14:34 PM IST: Tea break

David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne have given Australia a great platform for a big total. Warner is batting at 65 while Labuschagne is holding the other end at 53. Austra;ia 129/1 at tea break.

14:09 PM IST: 50 for Marnus

Fifty for Marnus Labuschagne. He pushes Ollie Robinson for a three to match his partner. Australia 122/1

13:46 PM IST: 100 up

100 up for Australia. Marnus Labuschagne is batting at 37 while David Warner is holding the other end on 53. Australia 103/1

13:18 PM IST: Warner reaches 50

David Warner completes his fifty with a couple of fours off Ben Stokes. England pacers so far have looked toothless with lesser movement with the ball. The shadows have started to come in and the lights are expected soon. Australia 85/1

12:54 PM IST: Marnus dropped

Jos Buttler drops Marnus Labuschangne on 21. Ben Stokes bowls a bouncer, Marnus tries to pull, gloves it but Buttler spills behind the wickets. Big let off. Australia 66/1

12:28 PM IST: 50 up for AUS

50 comes up for Australia after a couple of fours from David Warner (29*). Marnus Labuschange (16*) is holding the other end. Australia 55/1

12:25 PM IST: Session 2 starts

James Anderson starts the proceedings once again after the break. This is going to be a crucial session for both teams. While Australia will try to build on the start, for England, they would like the ball do all the talking under lights.

11:34 AM IST: Dinner Break

David Warner and Marnus Labuschange have taken the slow and steady route. The duo has so far negated the English attack very well. Dinner break has been announced. Australia 45/1

11:09 AM IST: Warner, Marnus steady AUS

After losing Marcus Harris early, David Warner (15*) and Marnus Labuschangne (10) have steadied Australia with their calm and composed batting. Australia 30/1

10:43 AM IST: First boundary

David Warner hits the first boundary of the Test match after 82 balls. Chris Woakes bowls wide and Warner thrashes it away to deep extra cover for four. Australia 20/1

10:09 AM IST: Broad strikes

Stuart Broad gives England first breakthrough. Marcus Harris tries to pull a short delivery on the leg side, gets an edge and Jos Buttler takes a stunning diving catch behind the wickets. Harris goes for 3. Australia 4/1

9:48 AM IST: First runs

First runs for Australia in the match. Marcus Harris flicks James Anderson wide of mid-on for a three. Australia 3/0

9:34 AM IST: Maiden over to start

James Anderson starts with a maiden over. Marcus Harris and David Warner have opened the batting for Australia. Australia 0/0

9:13 AM IST: Big Moment

Big moment for Michael Neser who makes his debut for Australia after skipper Pat Cummins was ruled out of the second Test. Cummins came in contact with a Covid positive person and has isolated himself. Former Australian pace great Glenn McGrath hands Neser his maiden Test cap.

9:09 AM IST: Playing XIs

England: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Australia: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith(c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey(w), Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Lyon

9:02 AM IST: Toss

Australia have won the toss and decided to bat first.

England will look for a much-improved batting display in the Adelaide Test. They may reinforce their attack by adding pace twins James Anderson and Stuart Broad but until and unless England put up a good score on the board, the odds will always be stacked up against them.

Then there is this piece of history that does not favour the tourists. No England team has recovered to win an Ashes series in Australia after losing the first Test since captain Len Hutton’s squad in 1954-55.

Australia have a superb day-night Test record. Five of their eight wins have come in Adelaide. England have won one and lost three in four day-night Test matches played against Australia, New Zealand, West Indies and most recently, versus India earlier this year.

Australia will also look for a good batting display. David Warner has been named in their playing XI. Warner had a few reprieves on his way to scoring 94 runs in the series-opener at the Gabba in Brisbane. But after taking two hits in the ribs while batting, Warner didn’t field for Australia in England’s second innings.

Right-arm paceman Jhye Richardson will return to the Australian Test lineup for the first time since February 2019 to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood.

Playing XIs (from)

Australia: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head (vice-captain), Michael Neser, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, (captain), Nathan Lyon, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc.

England: Rory Burns, Haseeb Hameed, Dawid Malan, Joe Root (captain), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Jack Leach.