Ashes 2019 | Day 1 Talking Points - Steve Smith’s supreme comeback and DRS’ overwhelming influence

DRS - Desperately Required Saviour? 

DRS had a significant say on the day’s play, as there were no less than seven incorrect on-field decisions made, and thanks to technology, five of them were overturned. First, England failed to review a David Warner caught behind on his first delivery which he actually nicked, two overs after which Warner failed to review his own dismissal - which on second look showed that the ball indeed would have missed the stumps. 

Then, they successfully overturned decisions of Usman Khawaja and Matthew Wade, before Steve Smith had his own moment as he managed to overturn yet another LBW decision. Later, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle were incorrectly ruled out, and while the latter reviewed and overturned his decision, the former stormed off the field, being dismissive about his chances.

While both the teams continued playing cat and mouse with the technology, it all but emphasized the importance of the role technology has to play in modern-day cricket. Despite the technology in itself coming under fire many a time in the past due to its inconsistency and inconclusiveness at times, today was a prime example of why it is so important to the sport. 

But this also brings to the spotlight a more important issue - the continuing degradation in the standards of umpiring. While technology was introduced as a mere guide for the umpires, we have almost come to the point where both players and umpires are over-reliant on technology, with the latter almost going about their job with utter complacency due to the spoils of technology. DRS might have acted as a saviour for both teams on the day, but the sustained level of mediocrity in on-field umpiring is a growing cause for concern, and if not reviewed quickly, might turn out to be toxic for the sport.

Steve Smith reminds cricketing fraternity of his greatness

Walking into bat with his side 17-2 with both openers back in the hut is no new venture for Smith, who in the past, made a habit of doing it. However, today, there was one big difference - the eyes of every single cricket fan in the planet were on him, and to add to that, he was batting in front of a hostile English crowd, who made sure they gave the former Australia skipper a proper welcome as he walked into bat.

As Broad walked into bowl, the first delivery along with the cheers and jeers of 25,000 people, there was a sense of curiosity and nervousness on the faces of every single person who was getting a glimpse of the contest - every single person except Smith. He confidently drove his first delivery straight to the man at short point, almost insolent of the occasion, and from that very moment, he was right on the ball. 

Doubts were aplenty in lead-up to the match, with people questioning if he’d have the same mojo in his batting post the one-year ban. And as Jimmy Anderson, Chris Woakes and Broad were probing him ball after ball with their line, length and swing, Smith played his ever-so-favourite waiting game, eventually frustrating the bowlers, making them bowl where he wants. 

As he watched his teammates crumble on one end, Smith displayed nonpareil grit and commitment, as he toiled hard ball after ball to ensure he took his country to a respectable and perhaps, even a match-winning total. It is almost as if the New South Welshman was never banned in the first place, and has carried on from where he left off 16 months ago. If anything, the knock from Smith has highlighted what Test Cricket has missed, and he is indeed an invaluable gem that needs to be treasured. 

Moeen Ali fails to step up in Jimmy Anderson’s absence

England took a major gamble ahead of the game by going ahead with Anderson, and unfortunately, for them, it backfired in the worst way possible as the veteran pacer had to go off the field after having bowled just four overs, hurting the very same calf muscle with kept him out of the Ireland match. But after reducing the Aussies to 122/8 with the rest of the bowlers barely having to break a sweat, it looked like the Anderson injury wasn’t going to hurt them after all.

But the astonishing resilience shown by Smith and Siddle meant that Root had to turn to Moeen Ali in Anderson’s absence and turn to Ali he did, in the hope of getting a breakthrough. He did indeed get the scalp of Siddle to put an end to his annoying stay at the middle but it almost looked like he was content with that, as the hometown hero barely looked like putting in effort with the ball.

In what was a lacklustre, bland and stale spell of bowling, Ali put the batsmen no under no pressure or trouble, with even the likes of Nathan Lyon handling him with ease. With Smith batting in the 80s, the offie had a golden opportunity to tie up one end for the pacers to work with, but his lack of threat and inconsistency meant that Smith instead preyed on his bowling, while getting to his hundred with ease in the process.

England took a brave call by leaving out Sam Curran, who would have been more than handy on this wicket, providing the x-factor with both bat and ball. Not only did Ali need to fill the boots of Curran, but also had to fill in for the injured Anderson, but disappointingly enough for England, he did neither, and who knows, it might very well turn out to be the telling difference in this first Test.