Australia defeated England in the first Test of the Ashes 2023 series at Edgbaston by two wickets, snatching victory from the clutches of defeat. Usman Khawaja was named the match’s most valuable player for dominating his team’s batting charts in both innings with scores of 141 and 65. Khawaja was resolute at the crease and held one end during the match, in which both Steven Smith (16 and 6) and Marnus Labuschagne (0 and 13) were dismissed for low scores by the opposition. Andrew McDonald, the chief coach of the Australian cricket team, viewed the team’s victory despite the loss of both of its top batters as a positive despite the unusual occurrence.
“It is extremely uncommon for Marn and Smudge to miss the same Test match. This is an appetising idea. They will undoubtedly desire additional net sessions with Marn and Smudge. ESPN cricinfo quoted McDonald as saying, “It’s always a positive when the Australian cricket team can win without those two performing at a high level.”
The Australian head coach added that both batsmen will devise various strategies for the second Test, as they are now aware of how England’s bowlers will attack them.
“They will devise distinct strategies and manoeuvres. They’ve seen what England will do and how they’ll attack, and they’re two of the best problem-solvers we’ve ever had, so you’d expect them to return to the drafting board. Michael Di Venuto, the hitting instructor, will be involved in this process. It will become evident what they must do in the next inning.
However, there is no problem there,” Andrew McDonald added.
Labuschagne loses the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings after failing in his first match.
Notably, Joe Root dethroned Labuschagne from the top position in the rankings for Test batters after the first match, reclaiming the top spot. The 29-year-old Australian has scored only two fifties in his last seventeen innings. His batting average has decreased, dropping from 60.82 to 55.14.
Steven Smith, on the other hand, just scored a hundred in the World Test Championship 2023 final against India and will be anxious to regain his footing in the second Test, which begins on Wednesday, June 28 at Lord’s, London.
India
