An Ollie Pope century has rescued a mediocre first outing for Bazball in Australia, with England’s kamikaze attacking style leaving two of their biggest stars red-faced.
After being hit for more than 100 runs on day one while bowling, pivotal England batter Joe Root’s quest for an elusive maiden century Down Under has hit a snag.
England have done little to dispel concerns that they are not doing enough to prepare ahead of the first Ashes Test after footage from their practice match went viral for all the wrong reasons.
The English star quick remains in doubt for the first Ashes Test but the results of his scan will now be delayed only a week out from the series opener.
England’s Ashes hopes are already in disarray with Mark Wood injured and their B team fleecing their first-choice bowlers for nearly 400 runs in a day at Lilac Hill Park.