Ashes 2015, 5th Test: Australia end Day 1 at the Oval on 287-3
Australia were in command after a strong batting display on the opening day of final Ashes Test at the Kennington Oval in London. At stumps, they were 287 for the loss of 3 wickets.
After winning the toss, England captain, Alastair Cook decided to bowl first. The home team were unchanged and for Australia, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Marsh replaced Josh Hazlewood and Shaun Marsh.
Upcoming deputy skipper of Australia, David Warner came to the crease with Chris Rogers who was playing his career's last international match. They were off to a really slow and careful start.
Australia were 19 for no loss today at drinks on Day 1 compared to their last outing at Trent Bridge where they were 35 for 7 by this time. Soon, Warner started firing and reached his 19th Test fifty.
At lunch, the visitors were at 82 for no loss. The partnership between the openers was moving steadily to a good century stand. It didn't take time later for the century stand as Warner started playing quick-fire shots.
Mark Wood was rewarded first in the England's bowling line-up as he got Rogers’ wicket, courtesy of Cook's juggling catch at the first slip. Warner's price wicket was taken by Moeen Ali, he was looking dangerous nearing his another Test ton. He was dismissed at 85 runs which involved 11 boundaries.
Australian captain Michael Clarke, who also announced his retirement along with Rogers, came to the crease after Warner's wicket. Guard of honour was given by the England's players on the field.
The visitors kept ticking the scoreboard quite comfortably. But soon, Clarke was caged by one of Ben Stokes' delivery which took a very minor knick off Clarke's bat. He went for a review, but DRS overturned it.
It was all Steven Smith and Adam Voges later on where both the middle order specialists took charge of the Australian attack and kept scoring in gaps. Smith reached his half-century and also 3000 runs mark quite comfortably.
Both batsmen were unbeaten when the umpires called the play off due to bad light, they were playing at 78 and 47 score respectively.