Ashes 2021: Mike Atherton says “Those chances meant it elongated the day”

England’s failure to capitalize on the opportunities offered by Australian batsmen during the first two sessions of Day 2 of the Ashes. It came back to bite them in the evening session, according to Mike Atherton. A former England captain who now works as a commentator.

In the last session, Atherton was referring to Travis Head’s counter-attacking blitz on a tired English attack.

During the first hour of the post-tea session, Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson knocked over Steven Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Green. In quick succession to leave Australia reeling at 195/5, offering the visitors a glimmer of hope.

Head, on the other hand, had a different viewpoint. The South Australian hitter went after the English bowling unit, smashing a blistering 95-ball knock of 112 runs to put Root’s team out of the game.

“It really highlights the chances England missed earlier in the day because those chances meant it elongated the day. England became really weary in the last session.” Atherton said

In the first two sessions, England’s seamers bowled exceptionally well, and they should have dismissed Warner three times. Warner was clean bowled by Ben Stokes for 17 runs, but it was ruled a no-ball.

After that, Rory Burns dropped him in the cordon at 48, and Haseeb Hameed lost a run-out opportunity at short-leg.

The injury Stokes sustained when protecting a boundary during the morning session, according to Atherton, worsened the troubles for Joe Root’s side, as did Jack Leach’s lack of control (1/95 in 11 overs).

Joe Root

“Couple of issues that made it a very difficult day for Joe Root. There was a lot of pressure on Woakes, Robinson, and Wood because during the 5-over spell Ben Stokes bowled. He chased a ball to the boundary when Jack Leach was bowling from the other end. And seemed to pull up. He didn’t bowl throughout the afternoon session and was basically limping after that.” Atherton said

The decision by England to leave James Anderson and Stuart Broad out of the Brisbane Test has sparked a lot of debate. However, given the fact that both Anderson and Broad had played very little cricket. In the lead-up to the series, Atherton believes England made the right decision.

“The final hour today highlighted why England are right to be reluctant about playing aging seamers like Broad and Anderson in Brisbane on the back of very little cricket.” he said

Even if England loses the first Test against Australia. They will hope that their hitting unit comes good in the second innings and saves their pride.

Read more: Cricket Sports: Yuvraj Singh says “Time for my second innings”

Visit also: Nasser Hussain says “I was surprised they did not have any one of Broad or Anderson” for 1st Ashes Test

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