Live Score AUS vs ENG, 1st Test, Day 1, Ashes 2021-22: England All-out for 147; Rain Delays Start of Third Session

AUS vs ENG, Ashes 2021-22 1st Test, Day 1, The Gabba, Brisbane: It was a dream debut for Pat Cummins as Australia Test captain as his fast bowlers attack ripped through England to dismiss the visitors for 147 on the stroke of tea on the opening day of the first Test at the Gabba on Wednesday.

Mitchell Starc bowled England opener Rory Burns with the first ball of the series and wickets followed regularly thereafter, despite a brief fightback from Jos Buttler (39) and Ollie Pope (35). Cummins himself registered a fifer in this innings (5-38).

The highly anticipated Ashes 2021-22 begun on Wednesday as Australia lock horns with England at The Gabba, Brisbane. Australia have a tough task ahead of them to defend the urn under new captain Pat Cummins.

England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening Ashes test against Australia at the Gabba on Wednesday as the tourists omitted paceman Stuart Broad in a major surprise.

Root said the decision was an issue of man management over a long series.

“It was a very hard decision to make but there’s five test matches and all those guys will be wanting to play a big part in the series. It’s important they are all ready to go when their time comes,” Root said on a humid morning at the Gabba.

All-rounders Ben Stokes returned to the side after a long break and joins Chris Woakes to offer seam-bowling options. Root noted grass on the pitch but felt the conditions favoured batting.

“(The field) is quite soft underneath and might harden up and go faster on the second or third day,” he said.

Cummins revealed his starting XI well ahead of time, giving himself plenty of time to adjust to his new job. That now includes attending the pre-match news conferences and going out for the coin toss instead of marking out his run-up to prepare to bowl.

Former wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist presented Australia’s baggy, green cap to test debutant Alex Carey, who replaces former skipper Tim Paine in the side.

New captain Pat Cummins said Australia would have batted first if they won the toss.

“We were probably going to have a bat, but I think it’s 50-50,” said Cummins

“Really excited to get out there, looks like there’ll be a bit in it for us. I would have thought one of Broad and Anderson would have played the first test but it’s not a huge deal. They’re a good XI and we’ll have to play well,” he added.

Playing XIs:

Australia: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc.

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