England’s strong first-day fightback at The Gabba may yet come at a price, with both teams facing the prospect of ICC sanctions after only 74 overs were completed in the opening chapter of the second Ashes Test.
While Joe Root’s long-awaited breakthrough century in Australia revived hopes of an unlikely turnaround in the series, the slow over rate leaves England and Australia vulnerable to financial penalties in line with ICC regulations.
What threatened to be another bleak outing for England turned dramatically on Root’s innings of 135 - his maiden Test hundred on Australian soil - after the hosts removed both openers inside the first three overs.
Root arrived with the scoreboard showing 5 for 2, absorbed the early hostility and held England’s reply together until the close, guiding them to 325 for 9 and ensuring the hosts were unable to complete the job before stumps.
His celebration, met with roars around the ground, offered a rare moment of optimism at a venue where England have so frequently struggled.
Yet despite the revival, the truncated day is expected to attract scrutiny.
Test cricket’s playing conditions require 90 overs per day, with sides punished for failing to maintain the minimum rate of 15 overs per hour once allowances are factored in.
Five things to know about The Ashes | PAEngland are familiar with such consequences: during the summer they were fined and docked World Test Championship points for a slow over rate against India, with match referee Richie Richardson ruling they were two overs short even after deductions.
Should Thursday’s shortfall be deemed unjustified by the ICC, both teams may face financial penalties or even points deductions.
Any such decision would add an administrative sting to a day that offered England one of their most encouraging Ashes performances in recent memory at the so-called “Gabbatoir”.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Joe Root silenced his critics with a brilliant batting performance for England against Australia on day one of the second Ashes Test | PAReflecting on the day, Zak Crawley told TNT Sports: “A great start by them [Australia].
"A couple of really good balls and a bit unlucky for [Ollie] Pope, but that was me last week, so I know how it feels.
"That is the nature of the beast at the top of the order.
"I was pleased with how I played, I wanted more, and I was gutted to get out. Standing here now, I am happy with 76 and I feel we're in a good position.
“The chat was to go hard and if we got out we could have had half an hour with them.
"They [Root and Jofra Archer] got some crucial runs. A phenomenal effort and it puts us in a good position tomorrow. Sitting here as an England player, I think it is our day.”
England have positioned themselves well against Australia | REUTERSAustralia wicketkeeper Alex Carey offered a similar blend of frustration and respect: “A bit up and down, really.
"We started well with the ball, saw a good partnership form with Crawley and Root.
"Got back into them after the break, that late partnership was crucial for them.
"Could’ve been worse, could’ve been better. I thought Joe played an outstanding innings and I know it means a lot to him to get that on Australian soil.”
England will now go into day two full of optimism.
How the action plays out, as they look to put more pressure on the hosts, remains to be seen.