England vs. Australia, 5th Test, Day 1: Michael Clarke Fails but Tourists on Top
It may have come too late in terms of the outcome of the series, but Australia's batsmen restored a little pride on Day 1 of the fifth Ashes Test.
The tourists closed Thursday's play on 285 for three at the Oval, London, after being put in to bat in the morning.
Their top-order batsmen showed a level of determination that had sadly been lacking in recent times, with openers Chris Rogers and David Warner sharing a partnership worth 110. Although current captain Michael Clarke fell cheaply, his replacement, Steve Smith, hit an unbeaten 78.
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England would have hoped for more success after opting to bowl first, though they do already hold an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.
After a rare day in the series where bat dominated ball, here are a few Ashes takeaways:
All seams well
England and Australia had already confirmed that James Anderson and Josh Hazlewood would be missing from their respective teams on Wednesday.
The home side, unsurprisingly, stuck with the same XI that had secured the Ashes last time out.
Mark Wood—the bowler who would most likely have made way for Anderson, had the latter recovered from a side strain in time—was the pick of England's below-par attack, picking up one for 41 through 18 overs.
Australia, meanwhile, drafted in Peter Siddle to replace the resting Hazlewood. Dan Brettig of ESPN Cricinfo suggested on Twitter it was a move that was long overdue:
However, the experienced seamer has not enjoyed his previous trips to the Oval, as revealed by OptaJim:
Mitchell Marsh was also recalled, taking the place of his elder brother, Shaun. It seems you have to pick at least one Marsh for Australia, so this time they've gone with the younger version.
Proper Test cricket
After being put in to bat, Australia reached lunch on Day 1 at 82 without loss.
In the previous Test, when they were also inserted in bowler-friendly conditions, they didn't even manage to last the session as an entire team.
The complete contrast was down to two things. First, Stuart Broad was unable to hit the lofty heights he managed on the opening morning of the fourth Test, as if taking eight wickets in 9.3 overs isn't the norm.
Second, Australia's openers seemed intent on occupation, rather than accumulation.
Chris Rogers—playing in his final Test before hanging up the batting gloves—managed two runs from the first 34 deliveries he faced.
Even the usually aggressive David Warner showed impressive restraint. Perhaps it was down to him losing the moustache he had previously worn during the series, as spotted by Ladbrokes:
After the previous two matches had finished inside three days, it was now back to proper Test cricket.
While both Rogers (43) and Warner (85) failed to go on and post a big score, their efforts laid the foundation for the Australians to put a big first-innings total on the board.
The outgoing captain
Clarke did not travel with the rest of Australia's squad to Northampton to play in the tour match in between the fourth and fifth Tests.
But while he was away from the rest of the group, he was still working hard ahead of his international farewell.
Per Jesse Hogan of the Sydney Morning Herald, Clarke said: "The time I've been in London it has been about preparing for this last Test match. I've been training every day, whether it has been fitness or doing my stability stuff or coming down here (to The Oval); I've been down here the last couple of days as well."
His last match didn't get off to the greatest starts as he lost the toss, though Australia's top order meant Clarke didn't have to head back out to the middle until the 46th over.
Wearing a black armband with the initials "PH" on it in memory of former team-mate Phillip Hughes, the right-handed batsman received a warm round of applause from the Oval crowd as he stepped on to the field.
He also was given a guard of honour by the entire England team, as BBC Sport tweeted:
However, any hopes Clarke had of finishing with a flourish were dashed when he was dismissed for 15.
Ben Stokes found his outside edge with a rising delivery, and although the 34-year-old tried his best to overturn the decision with the use of the review system, he had to go.
If Clarke wants to finish with a Test average of 50—it currently stands at 49.10—he needs a big score second time around, as Sky Sports confirmed before the start of play:
The incoming captain
Smith's batting throughout the series has mirrored the performances of Australia in general.
In the opening Test in Cardiff, Wales, he paid the price for being too eager to dominate, dismissed twice for 33 when well set.
At Lord's, however, he was brilliant, becoming the first Australian to hit a double century at the venue in an Ashes encounter since 1938. His knock of 215 set up a huge win for the visitors, levelling matters at 1-1.
But since that innings, things have gone south for Smith and his side.
He registered a succession of low scores in heavy defeats, though, as Geoff Lemon noted on Twitter, he had at least hit the right note with his performances in Birmingham and Nottingham in the last two Tests:
Now back playing in the English capital again, Smith looked much more at home at the Oval. In reaching 78 not out, he passed the milestone of 3,000 Test runs in his career.
It was also notable that his extravagant trigger movement, where he moves right across in front of all three stumps just prior to the ball being delivered, had been slightly reduced, as Brettig pointed out:
The subtle change seemed to work. By no means at his fluent best, Smith grafted his way towards yet another Test century at the same ground where he made his maiden three-figure score in 2013.
It seems he likes London life. If only he and Australia had played this well when they travelled further afield during a tour that will end with them heading home without the urn.
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