England fast bowler Mark Wood bowled a sharp bouncer to Australia all-rounder Cameron Green on the first day of the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth (Friday, November 21). Australia’s first innings came with a well-directed short-pitched ball after England were bowled out inside two sessions on the first day.
After winning the toss and batting first, the team captained by Ben Stokes was out for 172 runs. In reply, the hosts got off to a poor start with debutant Jake Weatherald out for a duck. They lost four wickets including Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne for 31 runs. Cameron Green came to the crease at number 6.
WATCH: Mark Wood thrashes Cameron Green with deadly 147.1 kmph bouncer
In the 24th over, Mark Wood gave a brutal bouncer to Cameron Green. Green tried to move away, but he had little room to move and the ball, traveling at over 147 km/h, went straight through the grill of his helmet. The batsman lost balance and almost fell on his stumps, but managed to save himself.
The game immediately stopped as the physio came out to carry out the mandatory concussion assessment. Green was shaken up after the blow, taking a moment to breathe and drink water before continuing.
England’s bowlers remained dominant after tea. Marnus Labuschagne was beaten for pace by Jofra Archer, Steve Smith took an edge out after being scratched, and Usman Khawaja was also out. England’s fast bowlers continued to hit the pitch hard and produce quick movement, keeping Australia on the backfoot.
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England were out for just 172 runs in the first innings.
Earlier, the England team was out for just 172 runs in 33 overs. Jack Crawley moved to slip in the opening over. Mitchell Starc ran away at the top of the order as England slipped to three down inside the first hour. Harry Brook and Ollie Pope showed resistance.
Brook scored 52 runs from 61 balls and Pope added 46 runs from 58. However, Brook’s dismissal led to the collapse of the team. The last five wickets fell for just 12 runs. Joe Root was out for a duck after seven balls, while Ben Stokes was also bowled cheaply.
Jamie Smith scored 33 off 22 and Ben Duckett added 21, but no other batsman could reach double figures. Starc took 7 for 58, while debutant Brendan Doggett took two wickets and Cameron Green took one wicket.
Certainly not all five Tests – Mark Wood
Before the opening test, Mark Wood admitted that he would not be able to play all five matches of the series. He said that his workload should be managed according to how his body feels after each game.
In a video shared by cricket.com.au, Wood mentioned that the plan is to review his fitness after every Test. Wood hopes to be fresh enough to maintain his pace and contribute whenever he takes the field.
“Definitely not all five (Tests). I think it just depends; review it after every game. This time, I haven’t played a lot of cricket, but I have been there before. So, I hope to be fresh enough to keep the speed gun going and do a little bit of work to compete in the Test match,” Mark Wood said.
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