Test star Warner survives first-round clash with arch-rival Stuart Broad on Day one of Test match
Under siege Aussie opener Warner survives first fight against Ashes opponent Stuart Broad, but still has a mountain to climb
- The whoppers of 2019 have not yet appeared
- Warner hit two fours off Broad
- But has he cast out all his demons?
He may have survived the end of a scorching final session on the first day of The Ashes, but all eyes will be on Australian opener David Warner when he faces his kryptonite Stuart Broad again today.
Australia continues its innings today with a score of 0-14 on day two. with Warner undefeated on eight points, while his opening partner Usman Khawaja has contributed four points to date.
This follows England’s impressive tally of 8-393, achieved in just 78 overs, largely propelled by Joe Root’s superb 118-run unbeaten run.
The biggest subscript today will be the battle between Warner and Broad.
Both closed horns repeatedly in the 2019 Ashes Test Series, where Broad had the clear wood on Warner, keeping the combative opener at a series average of just 9.5.
Uzman Khawaja (left) and David Warner (right) smile as they go undefeated after a torrid spell in England at the end of day one of the Edgbaston Ashes Test
A moment to savor for Warner as he crashes a van Broad on his way to the border during the first innings – a scene that made all of Australia cheer
Broad was picked for the first test at Edgbaston for his dominance of Warner in England’s 2019 Ashes series
Broad and Warner have faced each other in 26 test matches since 2013 and during this time Broad has managed to sack Warner 14 times.
Notably, half of these layoffs occurred during the 2019 Ashes series.
Warner has also been battling for form in recent times, with his testing career on the line in this Ashes series.
Since the start of 2021, Warner has scored just 958 runs in 20 Tests at an average of 29.03, with just one ton to his name.
Whatever happens, this will be Warner’s final Ashes campaign on English soil and the prolific goalscorer will be hoping to go big against the old foe.
To do that he must exorcise the demon that is Stuart Broad and on the first day he succeeded by sending two of the bowler’s fastest pitches to the boundary for an unbeaten eight.
It comes after Scott Boland, long regarded as the world’s most economical bowler, went for 1-86 from 14 overs as England made a point to use their feet at the Victorian and go after him.
Nathan Lyon took 4-149 among the mayhem, going with more than a run per ball while still delivering key breakthroughs and getting Jonny Bairstow’s key scalp for 78.
However, Australia insists they can still happily walk away from the day.
“You should try to look at probably the final score,” Josh Hazlewood said.
“Basically all out for just under 400. You definitely take that with you on that wicket. Whether it’s 80 overs or 160, it’s the same score.’