Ashes 2021/22, Day 1: England dismissed for 147; Cummins shines
The Australian bowlers decimated England's batting line-up on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba. England were bundled out for 147 before tea, with Pat Cummins taking a historic five-wicket haul. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were also in action, sharing four wickets. Only 50.1 overs of play was possible on Day 1 as rain played spoilsport in the final session.
How did Day 1 pan out?
Starc brought the Gabba crowd to their feet as he dismissed Rory Burns on the first delivery of the 2021/22 Ashes. England were soon reduced to 29/4 in just 13 overs. Although Jos Buttler and Ollie Pope resurrected the England innings, the Australian pacers kept them at bay. Cummins destroyed England's lower middle-order as the English innings folded on 147.
Starc enters the record books
Australia were off to a dream start as left-arm seamer Starc struck on the very first delivery. He knocked over Burns, who came too far across the stumps. Starc became the first bowler to take a wicket off the first delivery of an Ashes series since Ernie McCormick (1936). The latter dismissed Stan Worthington at the Gabba to achieve this feat.
WATCH: Starc strikes first up
Cummins takes his sixth Test five-wicket haul
Cummins registered his sixth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. He is the first fast-bowling captain (Australia) to take a five-wicket haul in 126 years. Former pacer George Giffen was the last Australian captain to do so. He achieved this feat thrice. Notably, Imran Khan was the last captain to take a five-for on the opening day of a Test (vs England, 1982).
First Australian captain to take Ashes five-for since 1962
Cummins has become the first Australian captain to take a five-wicket haul in the Ashes since Richie Benaud in 1962 (6/115 at the Gabba). Cummins is also the first captain to take a five-for in an Ashes Test since Bob Willis in 1982.
Starc and Hazlewood took two wickets apiece
The Australian bowlers were on song in the first innings. After dismissing Burns, Starc got rid of Jos Buttler later in the innings. Starc's compatriot Hazlewood also scalped two wickets in the form of Dawid Malan and Joe Root. Meanwhile, Cummins finished with figures of 5/38. Youngster Cameron Green also chipped in with a wicket in his three-over spell.
