One of England’s major concerns before the start of the Ashes was the poor starts they were getting from the openers.
Neither the incumbent Alastair Cook was among the runs, nor his latest opening partner Mark Stoneman was living up to the expectations. However, England team-management would have heaved a sigh of relief after watching their top-order roaring back to form in the last warm-up game against Cricket Australia XI just before the series-opener at the Gabba from November 23.
Joe Root & Co. finished the day two of the game at 337 for three with four batsmen scoring over 50. The batting show led by Mark Stoneman saw him scoring 111 after scoring three fifties in his last three innings on tour.
After the first warm-up game, head coach Trevor Bayliss had made it clear he wanted big runs from the batsmen and not ‘sixties’, and Stoneman sounded delighted after having finally managed to convert his start into three figures.
“It was nice to get to three figures after the starts I’ve had so far on tour,” Stoneman told reporters after the day’s play. “Everything’s gone well at practice as well so it feels like my game’s in good order (but) it’s going to be tested a hell of a lot more come next week, that’s for sure.
“I just feel like I’m moving well and from that then I’ve just got to make good decisions,” he added. “I don’t often think I’m in really good nick or I’m out of nick, I just tell by how my body’s moving. If I’m making the right decisions then generally the two work well together.”
Cook also scored a much-needed half-century just before the Ashes to get the confidence. The southpaw scored 70, as the England openers shared a solid 172-run partnership. Stoneman said the knock was an important one for Cook who is ‘practising hard and hitting the ball well’.
“He’s been moving well, he’s practising hard, and hitting the ball well in the nets,” he said. “The only difference there is the score to his name which can help your confidence, but someone who’s got the experiences he can fall back on, I’m sure he’s comfortable with where he’s at and very much looking forward getting to the Gabba.”
Meanwhile, Stoneman is under no illusion about the challenge awaiting him and his side when they take on Australia in the first Test in Brisbane. Australia’s formidable pace attack comprising Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins will come out all guns blazing against the visitors and Stoneman is well aware of it.
“There’s going to be more pace and bounce in the attack and the pitch in Brisbane, but we’re playing here against a completely different team,” he said. “All you can do is go through the processes.”
“We’ll just bat big, score as many runs as possible and try to do a thorough professional job. Be ruthless and go for the win,” he said.
Also Read: (Ashes 2017/18: Australia Announces Squad for First Two Tests)
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