From Josh Inglis to Joe Root’s calamity, the moments on that summed up day one of the Brisbane Test
Ben Stokes and Joe Root console each other after Stokes was run out.Credit: Getty Images
Inglis is trained to do his best work in the field behind the wicket, not pouncing from cover like a cheetah hunting prey and throwing down the pegs with only one stump to aim at.
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The work of Australia’s English-born Test newcomer earned a nod of approval from Ricky Ponting, one of the country’s greatest fielders of all time.
“What a piece of fielding from Inglis,” Ponting said on Channel Seven. “Wicketkeeper by trade, has been dynamic in the field for the Aussies all day today, a couple of great diving saves, and bang one stump, side on, Stokes you’re on your way. Great fielding.”
The exhilaration in the Australian team was evident in the vigour with which Marnus Labuschagne repeatedly slapped Inglis on the backside.
Stokes’s calamity summed up a day of misadventure for England, who failed to make the most of the generous hand they were dealt.
His dismissal sparked a run of 5-54 in 72 balls for England, who had suffered collapses of 5-12 and 9-99 in Perth.
Eight years ago at this venue, England’s innings took a turn for the worse after James Vince had the stumps thrown down by Nathan Lyon.
“The one today was probably a better run out but don’t tell Nathan that,” Starc said. “It was a nice one to change the momentum of where the game was at.”
Energised by Inglis’s brilliance, the crowd of 37,117 whipped itself into a frenzy minutes later when Scott Boland bowled Jamie Smith with an off-cutter that jagged back through the England gloveman’s gate worryingly wide gate.
Apart from two hot chances to Steve Smith diving to his left at second slip, and Scott Boland in his follow through, the Australians were close to flawless in the field.
Alex Carey claimed one of the catches of the season, overcoming the distraction of Marnus Labuschagne chasing the same ball to take a diving catch running back with the flight.
Alex Carey takes the catch despite pressure from Marnus Labuschagne.Credit: Getty Images
It was the sort of take synonymous with the former GWS captain’s namesake Wayne Carey in his other professional sporting pursuit.
“Lucky, Alex has played a bit of AFL and won the hard ball,” Starc said. “It was a fantastic catch. We know how good Alex is behind the stumps. He probably made it look a little easier than it probably was.”
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