Cricket fans were once again up-in-arms over the frustrating rules of the red-ball format after Australia were forced to wait 20 minutes before chasing down the final runs of the second Ashes Test because of the dinner break. Steve Smith and his team took a 2-0 lead over England at the Gabba to leave the visitors reeling heading to Adelaide.
However the victory was delayed in a frustrating manner on Sunday night when the umpires deemed it was time for a dinner break with 32 runs left for Australia to chase. Travis Head and Jake Weatherald were both looking in fine form with Australia 0-33 after five overs.
Cricket fans were frustrated when the rules were enforced as Australia went off for a dinner break, despite Steve Smith (pictured right) and his men needing only 32 runs with rain on the horizon. (Images: Getty Images)
Rain was coming over Brisbane and there was some concern around the Gabba the hosts needed to speed up their run-chase to finish the match on day four. But the umpires deemed the teams would take a 20-minute break for dinner, before Australia could resume their chase of 32 more runs.
This left viewers fuming. Australia were going at more than six runs an over, and on track to reach the total in another five to six overs, which would have ended the Test match within 30 minutes. Instead, play was halted despite rain being on the horizon. England took two wickets after the dinner break, but Smith came to the crease and made sure Australian fans were not going to wait long to celebrate.
Smith got into it with England bowler Jofra Archer as the two shared words at the crease. “You bowl fast when there is nothing going on, champion,” Smith fired at him. The batter won the battle having launched Archer for two sixers. Smith celebrates with Weatherald with the hosts taking a formidable lead in the series.
And not long after the end of the match, torrential rain descended on the Gabba. But it was the inability of Test cricket and the rules to be flexible which left fans shaking their heads. Test cricket is often its own worst enemy with bad light another major talking point with the format. On Sunday night, fans felt the umpires should have used some common sense to continue play, rather than follow the strict letter of the law by taking the dinner break.
Ben Stokes calls out England display after loss
Ben Stokes cut a forlorn figure at the end of the Test match in Brisbane with England now 2-0 down heading to Adelaide. This marked the second heavy defeat for their side and Stokes admitted his team need to find their character if they were going to turn around the deficit to win the Ashes.
“Teams that come to Australia can’t be soft or weak. There is no room for that in any dressing room I’m in charge of,” he said. “We pick people on ability and skill and we also pick people on character and mentality. There are a few things that need to be addressed on that.”
Steve Smith ready for England to bounce back
Smith was thrilled with then way his team played with Michael Neser proving the selectors right having taken five wickets in England’s second innings. And Smith feels while England are down, they will get back up for Adelaide.
“They’re going to come back hard at us next game,” Smith said. “They’re obviously a really good side and have played great cricket for a couple of years now. We’ve put them into a position where we’re happy, obviously 2-0 up. They’re going to come back hard. Whether they come back and play really aggressive or take the foot off the pedal and try and prolong the game a little bit, we’ll wait and see.”
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Australia will be hoping Pat Cummins is fit for the Adelaide Test having only just missed out on a place in the XI for Brisbane. Selectors will also toss up on whether to bring back offspinner Nathan Lyon for Adelaide, where he has excelled throughout his career.
Steve Smith (pictured right) celebrates with team mate Jake Weatherald (pictured left).