Thoughts on the First Test
I hope that after this most enthralling of matches the media – conventional and social – does not turn on Ben Stokes and Baz-ball after the Aussies won, albeit narrowly, the vital First Test.
Of course catches were dropped – and the declaration deprived England of vital runs – but every session ebbed and flowed with no side dominant.
The red ball game can be dull but this was not.
Joe Root, stripped of his captaincy, could not have been more loyal – taking the fight to the Aussies with an outrageous paddle shot first ball.
England still lack a top class spinner and it’s doubtful if Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett can set up a platform as “Man of the Match” Usman Khawaji can – and Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith surely will – score runs in the series.
I watched the game totally engrossed with a good friend of mine who supports Kent.
We were intending to go to Hove for Kent Spitfires v Sussex Sharks, but both quickly decided to see this most absorbing contests to the end.
My friend tracked the betting and neither side was a clear favourite.
Bravo Ben!
