Aussies finally meet BazBall after early selection drama

Australia opted for Josh Hazlewood over Mitch Starc as England brought BazBall to the opening Ashes Test.

The Aussies looked likely to spring a major bombshell on Friday morning at Edgbaston when Mitch Marsh started marking out a run up. It would have been almost unheard of in recent times for Australia to select two fast-bowling all-rounders if Marsh played alongside Cam Green, but the scene became clearer in the minutes following.

Hazlewood emerged as the third quick, with captain Pat Cummins saying Mitch Starc was the “unlucky” quick to miss out when revealing his side at the toss.

But despite Cummins and co. entering with a full-strength attack, England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett brought the intensity from the first ball.

Crawley crunched Cummins’ first ball for four before inflicting the same punishment on Hazlewood in the second over of the day.

But Australia’s returning quick, playing his first Test match since January, snared the first wicket when dismissing Duckett caught behind.

Earlier, Ben Stokes sprung a minor surprise when winning the toss and deciding to bat, a minor detour from the BazBall style.

But with the Edgbaston looking like a road and England’s openers flourishing the willow early, the hosts look to have every intent of their aggressive style Australians have marvelled at for so long from afar.

Australia hasn’t taken on England in Test cricket since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over.

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