Warner epic has Australia in command
A record crowd at the hallowed MCG has witnessed one of the most theatrical days of test cricket. Australia has gone into the fourth test 3-0 up in the Magellan Ashes series and has finished the first day in command at 3/244.
Australia has ruled Mitchell Starc out of the fourth test due to a bruised foot, but have decided to include Jackson Bird who is yet to "take flight" in this series. Whereas England has taken a subtle approach to making one change for the fourth test by including test hopefull Tom Curran in substitute for injured Craig Overton. I was a little surprised that more changes were not made in the England camp as they are in a position where there is nothing left to lose after losing the Ashes series. Hence, I would like to have seen the likes of leg-spinner Mason Crane in place of Moeen Ali who in my opinion has been fairly ineffective with the ball this series despite what his brilliant record suggests.
With Australia looking to repeat the events of 2013/2014 Ashes series, they could not have set the tone any better today. In particular, David Warner, who to be fair has had a fairly watchful series showed his brutality with a glorious yet tense 130 ball 100. I have no doubt as to Warner's boxing day century will go down as one of the most theatrically thrilling performances in cricket. With a blistering surge towards the ton, Warner's 40-minute stay in the hallowed 90s certainly could not have had a better finale. Warner on 99 facing debutant Tom Curran foolishly skyed a pull shot to have him dismissed one short of the ton, however, as the cricketing gods smiled on the Australian's, the cardinal sin of cricket was due on the English bowlers. Tom Curran's no ball dismissal had Warner reach his milestone the next ball in emotional fashion.
Australia has ruled Mitchell Starc out of the fourth test due to a bruised foot, but have decided to include Jackson Bird who is yet to "take flight" in this series. Whereas England has taken a subtle approach to making one change for the fourth test by including test hopefull Tom Curran in substitute for injured Craig Overton. I was a little surprised that more changes were not made in the England camp as they are in a position where there is nothing left to lose after losing the Ashes series. Hence, I would like to have seen the likes of leg-spinner Mason Crane in place of Moeen Ali who in my opinion has been fairly ineffective with the ball this series despite what his brilliant record suggests. 
With Australia looking to repeat the events of 2013/2014 Ashes series, they could not have set the tone any better today. In particular, David Warner, who to be fair has had a fairly watchful series showed his brutality with a glorious yet tense 130 ball 100. I have no doubt as to Warner's boxing day century will go down as one of the most theatrically thrilling performances in cricket. With a blistering surge towards the ton, Warner's 40-minute stay in the hallowed 90s certainly could not have had a better finale. Warner on 99 facing debutant Tom Curran foolishly skyed a pull shot to have him dismissed one short of the ton, however, as the cricketing gods smiled on the Australian's, the cardinal sin of cricket was due on the English bowlers. Tom Curran's no ball dismissal had Warner reach his milestone the next ball in emotional fashion.
It can be seen that the no-ball can sum up England's tour. There is no doubt that Australia has been too good in all facets of the game, and it is often luck that favours those on top.
However, all was not brilliant for the Aussies as Camron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja were again found wanting in this test match. I do unfortunately see Camron Bancroft potentially facing the axe if he is not to perform in the second innings. Whereas, for Khawaja, his low strike rate and depletion in form is obstructing the class that he is known for. I still believe that Khawaja is the best number 3 batsman in the country, however, his form is starting to become a bit of a concern.
Whilst I do not believe that England has bowled poorly, I think that Australia is simply two steps ahead of the English bowlers and that Joe Root is limited with his options. Furthermore, the freaky form of Steve Smith is only set to inflict more pain on the tourists as he nears the Don Bradman ICC rating.
Let's see if Smith goes on the score yet another century, or can England find some hope to take a few early wickets in the first session of the second day to give them a fighting chance of restoring some dignity?
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