Pat Cummins picked up two vital wickets to restore some confidence in Australia's pace trio after a pair of unheralded batsmen grinded through most of the opening day of the Ashes series to help England reach 196/4 at stumps. James Vince (83) and Mark Stoneman (53) combined defiantly in their first experience of Ashes cricket to blunt the much-hyped pace attack, each posting their highest test scores in a 125-run second-wicket stand.
Cummins (2/59) bowled Stoneman in the last over of a middle session delayed for more than an hour by rain. He came back in the evening session - after Nathan Lyon had brilliantly run out Vince to trap England skipper Joe Root (15) lbw, getting a not-out decision overturned, and ensuring the day swung back in Australia's favour.
At stumps, Dawan Malan was unbeaten on 28 and Moeen Ali was on 13 when bad light stopped play in the 81st over, three balls after Australia took the new ball and one after Mitchell Starc had a review of an lbw decision rejected. (SCORECARD)
HIGHLIGHTS, ASHES 1ST TEST, AUSTRALIA vs ENGLAND, DAY 2 AT THE GABBA
Brief Preview: The banter and bluster from the Australians leading up to the Gabba test centered on their 5-0 sweep the last time England toured in 2013-14 when a local pace trio spearheaded by Mitchell Johnson intimidated the batsmen and set the foundation for a series domination.
Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Cummins toiled in slightly damp conditions before and after a rain delay on a wicket yet to produce the kind of extra bounce that the Brisbane venue is famous for. Read full preview here
